[The Way] In 1875, over three hundred people gathered in a tent put up on the lawn of St John's Church in Keswick, Cumbria, to hear teaching from the local vicar, the Revd Thomas Harford-Battersby. This was the first Keswick Convention, and since then, apart from a few war years, it has been an annual event.

The focus of the Keswick Convention is Bible teaching, and application to people's lives. Many distinguished contributors have spoken at the Convention over the years. In 1975, the American evangelist Billy Graham was the speaker at the centenary event. Today the Convention is one of the largest gatherings of Christians in the world.

"I think the vision of Keswick is desperately needed," says the Convention chairman John Lamb. "The way we are trying to approach that with a relevant application of the Bible is hitting the mark."

This year's convention takes place over a fortnight this Summer in Crow Park, beside Derwentwater in the English Lake District. In the first week (15-22 July), Bible readings will be given by John Stott, with Jonathan Lamb giving them during the second week (22-28 July). Many other speakers from around the world will also be taking part.

"We want to capture the rising generation, make more provision for younger people, for families," Jonathan Lamb says, "and to continue the work to make God's Word accessible."