Geraint Elfyn Jones was bought up in Pwll, near Llanelli and Pontardawe, his father being a minister and hymn writer. He became a Christian whilst in Cardiff University under the ministry of Vernon Higham and had a distinguished career as a solicitor. Geraint made sustained and significant contributions to gospel life and work across Wales over many years, enjoying serving and helping others, seeking to know ‘nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified’ in all aspects of his life.
Geraint was a key person in the planting and establishing of a bilingual evangelical church in Bangor, now Capel Y Ffynnon and Ebenezer. Later, with his wife Elisabeth, he was a founder member of Newtown Evangelical Church where he served as an elder for many decades, holding forth a vital and strategic gospel light in needy Mid-Wales, where there have been many encouragements.
I remember Geraint serving as chaplain on an Evangelical Movement of Wales’ camp, revelling in preaching the gospel to young people. Over many years and in a wide variety of rural settings he led Bible studies for Christians and non-Christians alike, often through the medium of Welsh. He was particularly gifted in Welsh language verse.
To the last he remained active and loyal to gospel work. Two particular recent examples reflected his deep commitment to the gospel and its vital relevance to Wales. Just a year or so ago, as an elder, he worked tirelessly with Newtown Evangelical Church and the Evangelical Movement of Wales to organise and finance the distribution of the evangelistic magazine Ask/Holi to every house in Newtown. Secondly, I remember the recent conversations we had which were always about the Lord. He always appeared to be moved, almost to tears at times, with the thought of the gracious work of God in his life and in the life of the church and its members. Rev. Vernon Higham’s hymn sums up his longings:
Our God is the end of the journey,
His pleasant and glorious domain,
For there are the children of mercy,
Who praise Him for Calvary’s pain.
As the Evangelical Movement of Wales, we thank the Lord for Geraint, his life and his work for the gospel. We know that this could never have been done without Elisabeth’s loving and resilient support over many decades. Geraint is survived by his beloved wife, Elisabeth and children Sara, Bethan, Rhys and Owain and their families.