‘No (revival) tent without the graves’

We caught up with Bishop Richard Jackson (Hereford) this summer as he recalled his SOMA UK mission to Nigeria as young priest.

It’s an incredible story. Bishop Richard recalls how he was preaching and had an enormous response, before discovering the source of the spiritual awakening he was benefiting from.

This lead to a fantastic discussion, resulting in National Director Richard Moy visiting Hereford with St Mellitus College Tutor Revd Dr Matt Prior for the Golden Valley Pilgrim Way (3-7 day hike), featuring Dore Abbey and Hereford Cathedral, and accompanied by former SOMA ministry assistant Abraham Mendes da Costa. This pilgrimage featured some dramatic interventions from on high with Richard being dramatically saved from a field of cows when he ordered them away in the name of Jesus with Matt and Abraham echoing the cries, (the cows stampeded off in another direction) and incredible provision when the cafe manager at a church they were camping in both leant them her car for a quick visit to cool down in the nearby river, and also brought them back takeaway from Hereford as all the local shops and pubs were closed for food that evening.

At the end of this special pilgrimage Bishop Richard and Deboroh welcomed SOMA Chair of Trustees Kevin Roberts and his wife Anne for what turned into a SOMA reunion with Abraham and Monique Mendes da Costa also staying at the palace.

Anne, Kevin, Monique and Abraham.