Evan Roberts is known as the catalyst of the Welsh Revival, which spread throughout Wales in the early 1900s. Even at an early age, Roberts began contending for revival. As The Revival Library reports, in 1903, at the age of 25, Roberts began earnestly seeking the Lord for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. After being part of a prayer meeting where Roberts had a powerful encounter, he recounted— 

“I was filled with compassion for those who must bend at the judgment, and I wept. Following that, the salvation of the human soul was solemnly impressed on me. I felt ablaze with the desire to go through the length and breadth of Wales to tell of the Saviour.” 

Later, following two visions, Roberts felt led to return to his hometown and began meeting with and encouraging intercession among young people. As Roberts began more meetings, he felt each gathering would follow four requirements— 

1. Confession of sin
2. Repentance and restitution
3. Obedience and surrender to the Holy Spirit
4. Public confession of Christ

As Roberts felt led, meetings spread, birthing the Welsh Revival. As crowds gathered, spontaneous intercession, confession, worship and testimonies would fill each of the meetings. Revival broke out in Wales and spread even further as people traveled to experience these gatherings, then carried what they learned back home.