Keswick Ministries is saddened to hear about the passing of our former Chairman Rev Philip Hacking.
Philip first preached at the Convention in 1963 and once remarked that speaking at Keswick was, “the greatest honour a preacher could be afforded.” He quickly became a popular and regular speaker at the Convention with his warm, clear, and often humorous style of preaching. His sermon illustrations, frequently about cricket or Sheffield Wednesday FC, often led to the sound of roaring laughter emanating from the tent!
Philip became Chairman of Keswick in 1984 and led the Convention into a new era of development and modernisation in a rapidly changing UK church landscape. By the time he stepped away from the role in 1993, the Convention was in a much brighter, healthier and stronger position. But more than that, the lasting biblical foundations had been laid for further expansion and growth, leading ultimately to the formation of Keswick Ministries and the thriving Convention that exists today.
Our prayers are with his wife Margaret and children Stuart and Catherine, along with their families.
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” –1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Philip Sowerbutts
Keswick Ministries Archivist
