Jeff Lucas: God is a party planner – and Spring Harvest proves it

It happened decades ago, but I still remember the conversation, shared over a tepid cup of tea.

“You’re doing what!?” My interrogator, his voice shrill, stared at me with shock and pity. I repeated my plans for Easter, which involved speaking at Spring Harvest.

He shook his head in disbelief. “What a total waste of time,” he muttered. “Those big events are just mindless jamborees for Christians. If it was up to me, I’d cancel ’em all.”

But he couldn’t have been more wrong. I’ve spent a lot of time over the last four decades attending, contributing and helping organise camps, retreats and conferences. And I’m looking forward to being at Spring Harvest 2026.

My experiences have led me to this conclusion: God is a party planner. Scripture reveals that feasts and festivals have long been on His calendar, not only inviting His people to gather for lengthy bashes, like the Feasts of Pentecost, Passover and Weeks, but actually commanding them to show up. Those ancient non-optional parties were disruptive, costing money and time, especially in a culture where first-class travel was an athletic donkey. 

And the national celebrations were colourful and creative. During the Feast of Tabernacles, the people of Israel relived the experience, camping out in temporary shelters for a week. They were also far from solemn gatherings. God made fun compulsory, hence this rather surprising command about an offering in Deuteronomy: “Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice” (14:26).

In my early years as a Christian, youth camps galvanised my fledgling faith. And during my involvement with Spring Harvest, I learned that there were real Christians in other denominational tribes apart from my own, and my style of worship wasn’t the only way – which came as quite a surprise. I also discovered that it’s possible to disagree agreeably, and have intelligent conversations about contentious issues.But most of all, these events have helped me to remember who God is, and who I am too.

One of the most oft-repeated complaints from God about His people, particularly in the Old Testament, is this: they forgot. And so festivals nudged everyone to remember, alongside other strategies for identity recall, like circumcision.

These strategies worked, and they still do. Today, when we get together, sing, pray and open the book, we remember why we have a pulse – and who it is who gave it to us. We remind ourselves that, in a bewildering world, we are a people of the resurrection and that whatever comes, ultimately Jesus wins – and in Him, so do we. 

In the blur of information overload, where many social media users post photos of themselves eating breakfast (so that the universe can stand amazed in wonder), these events enable us to bring to mind what really matters. We recall our covenant with God again, and consider how we’re doing with our end of the bargain.

As we gather around God in unified faith, we remember who we are, immerse ourselves in the big story, recalibrate our values, celebrate and recommit.

So if you’re able, head for a tent, a chalet, a retreat centre, a conference, or join us at Butlins this Easter. If you do, I pray your faith will be rebooted, your mind stretched and your heart opened to new friendships. Perhaps it might even be the tiniest taste of what forever will look like. Because, come the ultimate kingdom revolution, when Christ returns and every knee bows, it’s where we’ll all be.

Together.

Spring Harvest will take place in Skegness and Minehead this Easter. For more information see springharvest.org