Dawn Robinson was on the verge of suicide when a a few words from God transformed her life, sparking 26 years of energetic community ministry that continues today.
With vodka and pills in hand, Dawn readied herself to swallow them. She gave God an ultimatum: “If you’re the God my mum says you are, stop me doing this.”
The ultimatum would transform her life.
Years of childhood abuse, spiritualism, the occult, addiction and violent relationships had led Dawn to that moment.
“One day I told my mum, ‘I can’t do this any more. I can’t stay as dirty and ashamed as I am now’,” she says.
“I was always very violent, very volatile, so Mum knew I was serious because I wasn’t shouting. She began to pray.”
No sooner had Dawn issued her challenge than she heard God speak.
“Dawn, there’s a reason for you being here. There’s a purpose for your life,” he said.
It was the intervention Dawn needed. Over the months that followed, her life changed beyond recognition. After hearing American preacher RT Kendall speak at evangelical conference Spring Harvest, she gave her life to Jesus.
Dawn returned to her home town of Barmouth and married Mark. There, in 1997, an Elim church was struggling and on the brink of closure. Elim Regional Leader David Woodfield asked, “What’s your vision for Barmouth?” When Dawn voiced a flurry of ideas he said, “You’re a frustrated pastor! Will you take the church?”
Seven months pregnant with her first son, Dawn agreed and started training to be a pastor. So began a quarter century of ministry at Barmouth Elim, and compassionate outreach to locals, many with equally troubled lives.
GROWTH
Barmouth Elim grew rapidly under Dawn’s direction. From meeting in a small room at the back of a theatre, it set up base at a former factory. It took one unit then eventually bought the whole building as new projects including a bookshop, mental health support group and a foodbank were launched. A day care nursery with 12 members of staff and work experience students was also added.
The church also presents ‘Open the Book’ in the local primary school and is helping Ukrainian refugees, while outside agencies visit or signpost people to the building, with CAP, Welsh Water and social services among them.
“We’re not a big church but we have a lot of faith and big hearts,” says Dawn. “I have an amazing leadership team, which includes my mum.”
Even after 26 years in ministry, Dawn’s ideas keep coming. She has her sights set on grants to develop a conference centre, wants to launch a lunch club, set up ‘eat well spend less’ courses, organise afternoon teas for the elderly and isolated and set up a scheme to feed kids from struggling families during the school holidays.
She is thrilled that her newly ordained church leader, Faye Bentham, is taking on more responsibility as Dawn looks for ways to help other leaders.
“My heart is to pastor pastors. I know from my own experience that 26 years is a long time to stay on fire, especially if you don’t have other leaders around you.”
Managing to do that has all been down to God, she says.
“The whole thing has been founded on Jesus and he’s kept me going and believing throughout.
“People from the town have said to me, ‘We might not believe what you believe but we can’t deny God has changed your life’.”
