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0:00:08 > 0:00:11- Forty years ago, - a group of people...
0:00:11 > 0:00:15- ..established a new evangelical - church in the Ammanford area.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19- Since then, the church - has grown from strength to strength.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22- On this programme, - we'll celebrate its birthday.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25- Welcome - to Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31- # Soli Deo gloria
0:00:31 > 0:00:36- # Soli Deo gloria
0:00:39 > 0:00:44- # Soli Deo gloria #
0:00:59 > 0:01:03- On this programme, I'll meet members - of Ammanford Evangelical Church...
0:01:03 > 0:01:06- ..and learn about the work they do.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10- We're involved in CAP - - Christians Against Poverty.
0:01:11 > 0:01:12- We help with the food bank.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17- I hope people in the church are kind - to people who live among them.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22- We'll have a performance by Sian - James of an Ann Griffiths classic.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26- I'll meet a woman - raised in the church...
0:01:27 > 0:01:30- ..who now makes a living - as a Christian singer.
0:01:31 > 0:01:37- I brought music and faith - and the fact we're all Welsh...
0:01:37 > 0:01:38- ..all together.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50- Ammanford Evangelical Church meets - here at Llandybie Memorial Hall.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- Leading the singing - is the group Sound Of Wales.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56- The first hymn is a translation - of There Is A Redeemer.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11- Forty years ago, Ammanford - Evangelical Church was established.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- Joining me now - are some of the church's leaders.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- Bethan and John, tell us a little...
0:05:18 > 0:05:21- ..about establishing - Ammanford Evangelical Church.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- It started about 40 years ago.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29- It started with people coming - together to talk about the Bible.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32- The church - started to build from there.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- You have a wide age range - in your church.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40- Yes, they were a small group - at the start...
0:05:40 > 0:05:44- ..but 150 to 170 now gather together - on Sunday mornings.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- There's a range of ages - - older people and younger ones.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52- There are lots of schoolchildren. - There's a large Sunday school.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57- People from different backgrounds, - from different areas...
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- ..come together as a family - to worship.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- You're now holding services - in the Gwendraeth Valley too.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11- Some people were coming to the - church from the Gwendraeth Valley.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- I thought it was a good idea - to start something there.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- We started with a Sunday evening - service once a month.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- It grew into meeting - in different places in Cross Hands.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28- We meet once a month at Starbucks - Cross Hands to discuss subjects.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- Things like Christianity - and science.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- We look at whether the Bible - is historically reliable.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38- We invite people for a coffee - and to think about these subjects.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44- We want to show that Christians can - think about the difficult questions.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49- We'll see what God does. If people - come and it grows, then great.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57- What do you think is the future - for Ammanford Evangelical Church?
0:06:57 > 0:07:01- We want to create and nurture - followers of Jesus Christ.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- The efforts to reach out to people - comes under that umbrella.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10- If that helps people - to hear the message of the Gospel...
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- ..that's what we'll do.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- I hope our Sunday meetings - will be open to everyone...
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- ..and that the message - is clear to all.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- We're involved in CAP - - Christians Against Poverty.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- It helps people - who are struggling financially.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- We help with the food bank.
0:07:27 > 0:07:32- I hope people in the church are kind - to people who live among them.
0:07:32 > 0:07:33- Showing God's love.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- Bethan and John, thank you.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- On to the next hymn now, an - arrangement of Mi Glywaf Dyner Lais.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- Many performers - have written arrangements...
0:11:16 > 0:11:21- ..of Ann Griffiths' wonderful words, - Wele'n Sefyll Rhwng Y Myrtwydd.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- We usually sing the words - to Cwm Rhondda...
0:11:24 > 0:11:26- ..but some think it's not suitable.
0:11:26 > 0:11:31- John Hughes's tune is a march - and Ann's words are a love song.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- This is how - Sian James interprets it.
0:11:40 > 0:11:46- # Lo, between the myrtles standing
0:11:48 > 0:11:54- # One who merits well my love
0:11:55 > 0:12:02- # Though His worth I guess but dimly
0:12:03 > 0:12:10- # High all earthly things above
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- # Happy morning
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- # Happy morning
0:12:20 > 0:12:26- # When at last I see Him clear
0:12:27 > 0:12:31- # Happy morning
0:12:32 > 0:12:36- # Happy morning
0:12:37 > 0:12:47- # When at last I see Him clear
0:12:52 > 0:12:59- # What can weigh - with me henceforward
0:12:59 > 0:13:06- # All the idols of the earth
0:13:07 > 0:13:14- # One and all I here proclaim them
0:13:15 > 0:13:22- # Matched with Jesus, nothing worth
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- # O to rest me
0:13:28 > 0:13:33- # O to rest me
0:13:33 > 0:13:40- # All my lifetime in His love
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- # O to rest me
0:13:46 > 0:13:51- # O to rest me
0:13:52 > 0:14:04- # All my lifetime in His love #
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- Cath Woolridge, - the founder of Sound of Wales...
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- ..is leading the singing tonight.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26- She was raised - in Ammanford Evangelical Church.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30- Though she now lives in Pontypridd, - she loves coming home.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- I met her outside - Gellimanwydd Chapel in Ammanford.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- There's a special reason for this.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- You've brought me - outside Gellimanwydd Chapel...
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- ..but you were raised - in Ammanford Evangelical Church.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- I grew up in that church.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53- It was fantastic.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- There was a man there - called Kevin Adams.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- He had a passion - for creative things.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- I realized...
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- ..that religion - isn't just about religious things...
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- ..but it's about faith, - and faith in Jesus.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- Did you have a religious upbringing?
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- Mam and Dad - came from a Christian background.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- They went to church...
0:15:22 > 0:15:26- ..but when I was 12, - I realized that it was for me.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- I wasn't going - because of Mam and Dad.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33- You mentioned the creative side, - you studied Drama...
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- ..at the Royal Welsh College - of Music & Drama.
0:15:36 > 0:15:42- I had a passion for drama. I studied - Drama and did musical things too.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45- You then continued - with your singing.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- That's when I founded - Sound of Wales.
0:15:49 > 0:15:55- My passions are my faith, singing, - Wales and what it stands for.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- Just bringing these together...
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- ..and taking it across Wales - and all over the country.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06- # Let me dream
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- # Love unfailing #
0:16:10 > 0:16:15- We've been to Singapore. - Next year, we're going to India.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20- We've been to America - and also here in Britain and Wales.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- # Miracles come #
0:16:27 > 0:16:29- Tell me about Singapore.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34- The Gospel had gone from Wales - out to Singapore.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39- They asked me to go out there - to lead the music.
0:16:39 > 0:16:45- It was fantastic - 10,000 people - from all over the country...
0:16:45 > 0:16:50- ..came to worship the God we love.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55- People came from all over the world - to talk about their faith.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- It was fantastic.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- Ammanford Evangelical Church - is celebrating its 40th birthday.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09- I love that church.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14- I went to that church - from when I was a little baby.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19- The church taught me about faith, - about Jesus.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22- It's a fantastic place.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30- Why have you brought me - outside Gellimanwydd?
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- Watcyn Wyn's grave is here.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- Watcyn Wyn was a Welsh poet.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40- Watcyn Wyn - is also my great, great uncle.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- I'm quite proud of that.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57- Next, we're going to hear one - of Watcyn Wyn's hymns. Which one?
0:17:57 > 0:18:01- Rwy'n Gweld O Bell Y Dydd Yn Dod.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52- Our prayer - is that God will work in our hearts.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- Our wish is to spread the good news - about Jesus...
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- ..with this area and across Wales...
0:21:01 > 0:21:05- ..because we believe that Jesus - is someone worthy of being followed.
0:21:05 > 0:21:10- We've already heard modern - arrangements of some of our hymns.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- That's what we have - to finish this programme.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- Gwilym Hiraethog wrote the words.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19- It became a popular hymn - during the 1904 revival.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- The words are "Dyma gariad fel - y moroedd, tosturiaethau fel y lli."
0:21:25 > 0:21:27- From us all, goodbye.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:24:26 > 0:24:26- .