From Coal Mines to Intercession
Born on October 10, 1879, in Brynamman, Carmarthenshire, Wales, Rees Howells began life as the sixth of eleven children. He left school at 12 to work in a tin mill and coal mine, driven by ambition and the lure of financial success. Yet, his journey took a profound turn during his time in the United States. Contracting typhoid fever, he faced the prospect of death and chose to commit his life to God, marking the beginning of a transformative faith journey.
An Encounter with the Holy Spirit
In his early twenties, Rees experienced a deep encounter with the Holy Spirit, which fundamentally changed his life's direction. He surrendered his personal ambitions and desires, embracing a life dedicated to God's purposes. This surrender was not without struggle. As Howells himself recounted, 'For five days, the Holy Spirit pointed out areas of my life: the love of money, ambition, reputation, and self-will, each of which I had to surrender.' His life became marked by profound faith and radical obedience.
Rees Howells returned to Wales, deeply affected by the Welsh Revival of 1904-1905. On December 21, 1910, he married Elizabeth Hannah Jones, and together they embarked on missionary work in South Africa from 1915 to 1920, where they witnessed revival and transformation through their ministry.
In 1924, Howells founded the Bible College of Wales in Swansea, a center for prayer and intercession. He trusted God entirely for the provision of the college, acquiring properties through prayer. The college became a beacon of faith, training students to pray with conviction and seek God's will.
During World War II, Howells and the Bible College of Wales engaged in intense intercession, believing that their prayers influenced the course of the war. In 1940, he had a vision of God with His sword drawn at Dunkirk, a testament to the spiritual battle he believed was taking place.
Rees Howells' life of intercession left a lasting impact, both in his lifetime and beyond. He passed away on February 13, 1950, yet his legacy of prayer and faith continues to inspire. As he once declared, 'The vision has not ended with me; the intercession must continue; the nations must yet hear the gospel. Revival must come before the Lord returns.' Through his unwavering faith, Rees Howells demonstrated the power of prayer and the transformative work of Jesus in our world.
