wfn.org | Tudur Jones: Church leaders pay tribute

["EAUK Press Office" <press@eauk.org>]

For Immediate Release: 27th July 1998

Church leaders have been paying tribute to Dr Robert Tudur Jones,
the Welsh Church historian and theologian who died on Thursday
(23rd July) at his home in Bangor, Gwynedd. He leaves a widow,
Gwenllian (they were married in April 1948), four children (Nest,
Geraint, Meleri and Alun - his son Rhys, died in 1996 aged 45)
and 16 grandchildren.

Dr Tudur was president of the Welsh Evangelical Alliance.  Arfon
Jones, its general secretary described him as "one of the
greatest church historians in Europe and the foremost authority
on revival."  

Arfon Jones added: "His contribution to and his influence on
Welsh evangelical life was immense.  He saw his role as lecturer
and Principal of Bala-Bangor Theological College as a calling
from God to resist the siege against the evangelical faith in the
sixties.

"He was a scholar of the highest calibre with a pastor's heart. 
His love for the Lord and clear biblical conviction shone through
all he did.  His interest and concern for his students scattered
across Wales never waned.  He wasn't just the great scholar,
thinker, historian, theologian and preacher they had studied
under - he was their friend and pastor."  

Gerallt Wyn Davies, chief executive of the Evangelical Movement
of Wales said: "We thank God for Dr Tudur Jones' unique
contribution to Welsh church life.  He was one of the rare giants
of our faith.  His promotion of God's Word and his compelling
interpretation of the Gospel's influence on our nation was an
inspiration to so many.  We sympathise deeply with the family and
assure them of our prayers."

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Rev Joel Edwards, general director of the Evangelical Alliance UK
said: "Tudur Jones was deeply respected, not just as an eminent
historian but also for his graciousness as a man.

"The Alliance was profoundly grateful for his expertise during
discussions within evangelicalism over the so-called Toronto
Blessing, and also for his invaluable contribution on the subject
of revival during the Bournemouth Assembly of Evangelicals in
1996. His ability to place current experiences into an historical
context was unparalleled."

Dewi Hughes, theological advisor to relief agency Tear Fund and
the chairman of EA Wales commented: "He was the complete
antithesis of much that typifies even the evangelical world
today.  He did not use his great gifts to make a name for
himself.  Rather, he chose to teach theology to a small number of
mainly Welsh speaking students.  Even there the theological
establishment which he served generally rejected his teaching. 
But many of us who had the privilege of sitting at his feet, came
away with the vision that our simple evangelical faith was indeed
the incomparably glorious gospel of God which shapes every aspect
of our lives."  

Rev Dr Denzil Morgan, senior lecturer in the School of Theology
at Bangor said: "Tudur Jones will be remembered as a hugely
influential figure in the history of Christianity in Wales,
especially between the 1960-90's.  His opinions moulded the
convictions of a whole generation and more, and his loss will be
felt sorely." 

Church leaders from the charismatic wing of the Church were also
quick to pay tribute. Gerald Coates of the Pioneer network of
churches recalls the powerful impact Tudur had 18 months ago on
500 leaders from Pioneer churches when he addressed them on the
topic of revival.

"Tudur came from a completely different Christian background to
our own, yet he brought such an intensity of love for God and a
burden for the lost and for revival that it has stayed with us
ever since."

Tudur Jones' funeral we be held at 1:30pm on Tuesday 28th July at
the Pendref Welsh Congregational Chapel in Bangor. 

ENDS

For further information, 
contact Arfon Jones on 01222-229822 (+ 44 1222-229822)

Keith Ewing, kewing@eauk.org 
0171 207 2116 or + 44 171 207 2116 

or
Gavin Drake, gdrake@eauk.org
0171 207 2117 or + 44 171 207 2117

Evangelical Alliance UK,
Whitefield House,
186 Kennington Park Road,
London, SE11  4BT

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