A visit to the Isle of Lewis and Harris marked another productive stretch of partnership-building between Solas and the Free Church of Scotland. It was great to welcome friends from several other congregations across the islands to the meetings we held there too. A good number of attendees from outside the Free Church joined the weekend’s events at the CCC, reflecting the widening reach of the collaboration.
The weekend opened with the Saturday Confident Christianity Conference, which focused on conversational evangelism and a discussion of “the truth about truth,” tackling the challenges posed by contemporary relativism. Although attendance was modest, engagement was strong, with a lively Q&A and a noticeably younger demographic than on previous visits.
On Sunday morning, I was able to preach at Carloway Free Church, where Rev. Thomas Davis—soon to assume the role of Principal at Edinburgh Theological Seminary—serves as minister. The evening service followed at Stornoway Free Church. Both sermons centred on the theme “Mission Manifests the Kingdom,” drawn from Matthew 5 where Jesus tells his people to function as ‘salt and light’ in the world
What had been planned as a small youth gathering after the evening service quickly escalated into a crowd of around 120. The expanded audience prompted a full presentation on the reliability of the New Testament and the resurrection, followed by an energetic question-and-answer session. Among those attending was a young woman first met during a previous youth event in Harris. Though not yet a Christian, she returned with evident openness, asking numerous questions and seeking conversation afterward. If you are a Christian reading this report, please do keep her in your prayers.
This was my second trip to Lewis and Harris, and it is a place I am quickly starting to love. The churches there take the word of God seriously and really engage with the material I present; and offer visiting speakers such a warm welcome and genuine fellowship. I’d love to go back!
