Keith Malcomson shares the inspiring story of Daniel Powell Williams, a coal miner from Wales who encountered a powerful revival in 1904, leading to his deep dedication to God. Williams experienced a life-changing encounter with the Holy Spirit in 1909, receiving the baptism and speaking in tongues, which propelled him into leadership within the Pentecostal movement. Embracing the prophetic and apostolic ministry, Williams played a significant role in the establishment and spread of the Apostolic Church, emphasizing the restoration of these offices in the church. Despite challenges and splits, Williams remained steadfast in his faith, spreading the message of conversion, spiritual empowerment, and healing across nations until his peaceful passing in 1947.

Daniel Powell Williams was born in May 1882 one of 12 children, in the village of Penygroes in South Wales, later to become famous for its annual Pentecostal conventions. Like his fathers before him he worked in the coal mines from the early age of 12. It was in 1904 that the great Revival broke upon the land. On Christmas day of that year Daniel attended the revival meetings at Loughor where Evan Roberts was ministering. The chapel was packed with people but was also filled with the mighty presence of God. That afternoon Dan along with others was in the vestry of another church earnestly seeking God for salvation. Roberts laid hands on him and prayed. Dan was in terrible agony and conviction of soul. Under the burden of his sin he fell to the fall. All around him were singing of the Blood. He had a vision of Christ at Calvary and was assured of his forgiveness, he cried out "I have seen Him, I have found Him." From this time his whole life was dedicated to God alone. He felt the call of God burn upon him, it was in 1906 that he preached his first public message and entered ministry with the Congregational Church. His text was Matthew16:18 “I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” He continued in his own church faithfully under the ministry of a great preacher while working part time in the mines and ministering himself in other local chapels in the surrounding area. One of the ministers said "he preached like a coming prophet". In this manner he continued for six years ministering in about 80 different chapels. It was in the midst of these years in 1909 that while on holiday he met a band of believers who had received the baptism in the Holy Ghost. While out on a hillside walking with them they lifted their voices and began to sing, he fell on his face weeping and groaning and there received his baptism in the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues as the Spirit gave him utterance. Back in Penygroes he met with some others in house meetings who had the like experience. Eventually he joined a local fellowship called the Evangelical Church where tongues, interpretation and prophesy were being operated. He was soon, amidst confirming prophesies called to be the leader of the work. A split finally came and Dan along with 60 others were locked out of the building. They continued to meet in small buildings in Penygroes and were much encouraged and edified by prophetic words. He became more acquainted with W.O. Hutchinson who ran the Apostolic Faith Church in Bournemouth out of which operated an unusual prophetic and apostolic ministry and where an annual Pentecostal convention was started in 1910. They had a strong emphasis on the prophetic predictive word by which a number were called into ministry and sent out by this means. They taught that God would restore the offices of apostle and prophet back to the church. In 1911 Dan became a minister with the Apostolic Faith Church which was now beginning to spread in Britain and other countries. More teaching came forth concerning apostolic ministry, that it would found and rule churches and would confirm their ministry with signs following. In these early years Hutchinson stood as the only apostle and overseer of the whole work. In 1914 Dan was ordained by Hutchinson as an apostle for their congregations in Wales. Others were called to be prophets, teachers and evangelists. When the First World War came 1914 they were ready, clear prophetic messages of warning had been given since May 1913. During the war years a deep expectation of the return of the Lord marked these churches. Finally things came to a head in 1916 when the Welsh assemblies broke off from the Apostolic Faith Church and the leadership of Hutchinson. These 19 Welsh fellowships then called themselves the Apostolic Church of Wales and continued in a spirit of Welsh Revivalism. In 1922 the leaders and elders from Penygroes, Glasgow, Hereford, Bradford and other associated works from across Britain met together. They took for themselves the name The Apostolic Church. These four Churches formed themselves as a united movement in doctrine and practice although retaining their own responsibilities in each region. Everywhere Dan travelled people were converted, filled with the Spirit, baptised in water and healed in body. A missionary zeal gripped his heart carrying him to many nations to preach and teach. It was in February 1947 that he passed away peacefully in his Lord and Saviour. The great marks of his life were his gentleness, modesty and humility. Holiness was a vital necessity for him and this movement. Today there are autonomous Apostolic church groups functioning in 43 countries that have a background amongst the Welsh Apostolics. This is truly amazing when we take into account that it has always been the smallest Pentecostal denomination in the British Isles with presently just 116 churches. And that it had its beginnings in a Welsh village where English was hardly spoken.