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The Derwent Project

A home for refreshing and sending out believers

The Derwent Project is building a new home for Keswick Ministries in order to provide an integrated site for future Conventions, a venue for an expanding teaching and training ministry, and a resource for churches across the region and beyond.

For nearly 150 years, Keswick Ministries has been committed to inspiring and equipping Christians to love and live for Christ in His world. The Convention has grown from a small gathering on the lawn at St John’s Church, Keswick in 1875, to become a global movement for spiritual renewal and growth bringing over 12,000 Christians together each Summer.

The ministry also provides Biblical teaching and training events, and printed and digital resources for churches and individuals throughout the year.

The Derwent Project has such potential to touch so many more lives and for some that might even mean to follow in the footsteps of others like Amy Carmichael or Taylor Hudson, for whom the Convention played a significant part in them taking the gospel to 1000’s of people abroad. The opportunities are endless.

John Taylor, Trustee, Keswick Ministries

Our Goals

To secure the future of the three-week summer Convention on an integrated site in the centre of the town of Keswick.
To establish a new centre of operations for Keswick Ministries’ team
To expand the scope of Keswick Ministries by providing a conference facility for a range of activities at other times of the year, including training programmes and Bible-teaching events.
To make the conference facility available to churches in the UK and beyond, particularly serving Cumbria and the North (including Scotland). Also as a facility for the local community.

Our Beliefs

There is one God in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
God is sovereign in creation, revelation, redemption and final judgment.
The Bible, as originally given, is the inspired and infallible Word of God. It is the supreme authority in all matters of belief and behaviour.
Since the fall, the whole of humankind is sinful and guilty, so that everyone is subject to God’s wrath and condemnation.
The Lord Jesus Christ, God’s incarnate Son, is fully God; he was born of a virgin; his humanity is real and sinless; he died on the cross, was raised bodily from death and is now reigning over heaven and earth.
Sinful human beings are redeemed from the guilt, penalty and power of sin only through the sacrificial death once and for all time of their representative and substitute, Jesus Christ, the only mediator between them and God.
Those who believe in Christ are pardoned all their sins and accepted in God’s sight only because of the righteousness of Christ credited to them; this justification is God’s act of undeserved mercy, received solely by trust in him and not by their own efforts.
The Holy Spirit alone makes the work of Christ effective to individual sinners, enabling them to turn to God from their sin and to trust in Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit lives in all those he has regenerated. He makes them increasingly Christ-like in character and behaviour and gives them power for their witness in the world.
The one holy universal church is the Body of Christ, to which all true believers belong.
The Lord Jesus Christ will return in person, to judge everyone, to execute God’s just condemnation on those who have not repented and to receive the redeemed to eternal glory.

Our Values

Keswick Ministries’ values shape who we are, what we do, and how we do what we do. They are not imposed. We believe they describe us. They are fundamental to our identity – a bit like DNA.

Over and above everything is CHRIST – dependent on him, listening to him, seeking to be like him, in his name, making him known, for his glory.

Lifestyle, morality and personal example

The Keswick movement has always sought to highlight the call to follow and be like Christ.

This has been part of our DNA as an event and movement since 1875. As Christians we seek to live in accordance with biblical guidelines in our lives, whether they are our relationships, attitudes or behaviours.

We aim to demonstrate this in our lifestyles, as we influence others daily. This includes regular Bible reading, prayer and active involvement in local church and the community.

This is shown through a selfless attitude to possessions, time, work, leisure, social activities and relationships.

Demonstrating moral standards, including an acceptance that the only appropriate place for a sexual relationship is within a marriage between a man and a woman.

Whilst we recognise that as fallen people we often fall short of this ideal, we believe that God’s grace and forgiveness are always available to those who repent. We nevertheless expect that all those working with us will affirm these principles and be committed to work towards achieving such a lifestyle with God’s help.

Safeguarding - Code of Conduct

Keswick Ministries behaviour code for working with children, young people and adults at risk of harm.

This code is incorporated into the KM Beliefs & Behaviours document that all those working with Keswick Ministries as asked to accent to and comply with

Purpose

This behaviour code outlines the conduct expected of all workers (staff and volunteers).

The code of conduct aims to help protect adults at risk of harm, children and young people from abuse and inappropriate behaviour from those in positions of trust, and to reduce the risk of unfounded allegations of abuse being made.

The role of workers (staff and volunteers)

When working with children and young people or adults at risk of harm, you are acting in a position of trust for Keswick Ministries. You will be seen as a role model and must act appropriately.

Good practice

Treat everyone with dignity, respect and fairness, and have proper regard for individuals’ interests, rights, safety and welfare
Work in a responsible, transparent and accountable way
Be prepared to challenge unacceptable behaviour or to be challenged
Listen carefully to those you are supporting
Avoid any behaviour that could be perceived as bullying, emotional abuse, harassment, physical abuse, spiritual abuse or sexual abuse (including inappropriate physical contact such as rough play and inappropriate language or gestures)
Seek advice from someone with greater experience when necessary
Work in an open environment – avoid private or unobserved situations
Follow policies, procedures and guidelines and report all disclosures, concerns, allegations, and suspicions to the safeguarding co-ordinator
Don’t make inappropriate promises particularly in relation to confidentiality
Do explain to the individual what you intend to do and don’t delay taking action

Unacceptable behaviour

Not reporting concerns or delaying reporting concerns
Taking unnecessary risks
Any behaviour that is or may be perceived as threatening or abusive in any way
Passing on your personal and/or social media contact details and any contact that breaches Keswick
Ministries social media policy
Developing inappropriate relationships
Smoking and consuming alcohol or illegal substances
Favouritism/exclusion – all people should be equally supported and encouraged

Partner with us

You can get involved with Keswick Ministries in a number of ways such as attending the Convention, volunteering, praying with us or making a donation.

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