Summer events guide
Ablaze UK www.Ablazeuk.org
When? Jul . 30- Aug . 4
If the Apostolic Church is your cup of tea, then its annual conference, AblazeUK, is the place to be. Themed ‘Proclaiming Jesus’, the all-age event centres on the great commission. Dr Steve Brady and Doug Harris are guest speakers.
Where? Swansea
Cost: Four-bed apartment from £340 or £37 per night for B&B
Tel: 020 7587 1802
Big Church Day Out www.bigchurchdayout.com
When? May. 28- 29
Last year, this enigmatic celebration of faith, music and worship attracted 25,000 people. Hip-hop, rock, acoustic, opera, soul, classical – it’s all there. Headliners: Toby Mac, The David Crowder Band, Israel Houghton, Newsboys, Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin.
Where? Wiston House, West Sussex
Cost: From £24-£45
Tel: 01825 748881
Clan Gathering www.clangathering.org.uk
When? Jul. 23- 29
The annual Christians Linked Across the Nation (CLAN) event, hosted by Scottish New Wine, is a firm favourite for those north of the border. Speakers include Jack Deere, Heidi Baker, Andy Hawthorne and Karl Martin.
Where? Strathtyrum Estate, St Andrews, Fife
Cost: £54-£110. Day passes available
Tel: 01771 637962
Cliff College Festival www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/festival
When? May. 27- 30
This lively festival features speakers from Youth for Christ, Urban Saints, the Evangelical Alliance and the Methodist Church. As well as worship and teaching, there’s sport, crafts, theatre, gospel music, magic and even bell-ringing.
Where? Cliff College, Derbyshire
Costs: Rooms £57-137; camp plots £47-£94
Tel: 01246 584200
Creation Fest www.creationfest.org.uk
When? Aug. 6- 12
There’s something for everyone at this free Christian music festival and Bible week, including a skate park. Rend Collective Experiment, [dweeb], LZ7 and Superhero are among the eclectic line-up. (And did we mention it’s free?)
Where? Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge
Costs: Free. Camping available at £8pn
Tel: 0844 8794 703
Elim Bible Week www.elim.org.uk
When? Jun . 4- 11
Themed ‘Amazing God’, the conference includes Bible studies, seminars, celebrations and other activities to equip, challenge and inspire Christians of all ages. Andy Hawthorne, Phil Pringle and Dave Smith join a bill of 40-plus speakers.
Where? Prestatyn, North Wales
Cost: From £380 for 4-person apartment
Tel: 0845 302 6750 / 01745 881800
Fuel www.fuelevents.com
When? Aug. 19- 21
The line-up at Northern Ireland’s Christian arts festival is still to be confirmed. But if last year’s is anything to go by, expect a memorable musical experience, not to mention challenging speakers.
Where? Ballymena North Recreation Centre, Co Antrim
Costs: TBC
Tel: 028 2563 9467
Good News Crusade www.gnc.org.uk
When? Jul. 30- Aug. 5
Somerset is a hotbed of Christian activity this year. It plays host to Good News Crusade’s family camp. The ‘Ordinary Heroes’ theme explores our journey with God. Speakers include Jeff Lucas, Carl Beech and Steve Double.
Where? Taunton Racecourse, Somerset
Cost: Adults £83; Young people £70. Day rates available
Tel: 01726 70244
Gorsley Festival www.gorsleychapel.org/festival
When? Aug . 25- 29
Gorsley Chapel is back with its big bank holiday festival. Themed ‘Vintage Christianity’, the family event incorporates the Gorsley Flower Festival alongside teaching, worship, puppets, music, youth activities and the intriguingly titled ‘Bible Bop’.
Where? Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
Costs: Free (onsite accommodation from £75)
Tel: 01989 720312
Grace Family Bible Week www.gfbw.org.uk
When? Jul . 30- Aug . 6
Three marquees will host children, youth and adult activities, while the church building will offer a café, a place of fellowship and, occasionally, a refuge from the Cornish weather. Richard Powell and John Gillespie are main speakers.
Where? Grace Community Church, Morval, Cornwall
Cost: Free but donations welcome. Campers: £75 per pitch. £10/£15 for additional children/adults
Tel: 01503 240930
Grapevine www.grapevinecelebration.org.uk
When? Aug . 26- 30
In Grapevine Festival’s 30th year, some 5,000 Christians of all traditional will come together for teaching, worship and recreation, with much more besides. With Stuart Bell, Dave Gilpin and Jeff Lucas.
Where? Lincolnshire Showground
Costs: Campers £90-£105; rooms from £240. Day passes available
Tel: 01522 542166
Greenbelt www.greenbelt.org.uk
When? Aug . 26- 29
Billed as the place where ‘arts, faith and justice’ collide, Greenbelt offers a fusion of music, performance, thought-provoking talks, visual arts, worship, literature, film, comedy and children’s activities. Bill includes: Billy Bragg, Idlewild, Jo Enright, Rend Collective Experiment, Shane Claiborne and Adrian Plass.
Where? Cheltenham Racecourse
Costs: £110 before June 30, £120 afterwards. Concessions/discounts available
Tel: 020 7374 2760
Harvest www.harvestonline.org.uk
When? Aug . 17- 21
This interdenominational festival attracts around 1,000 young people from the North and beyond, thanks to its mix of worship, teaching, seminars, social outreach, workshops, comedy and music. Featuring bands such as LZ7 and GoldDigger, and teaching from Mark Ritchie and Rachel Gardner.
Where? Teeside
Cost: From £84
Tel: 0191 258 0600 or 07850 308551
Keswick Convention www.keswickministries.org
When? Jul . 16- 22 Jul . 23- 29 Jul . 30- Aug . 5
A family-friendly Bible teaching event in the picturesque Lake District. 2011’s theme, ‘Word to the World’, centres on mission. Featuring Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, Amy Orr-Ewing, Chris Wright and Ajith Fernando.
Where? Keswick, Cumbria
Cost: By donation
Tel: 01768 780075
Leading Edge www.baptist.org.uk/leadingedge
When? Aug . 2- 7
This Baptist Union Bible conference is valued for its community spirit, relaxed nature and potential to support and resource individuals. Krish Kandiah, Pat Took, Chris Duffett and Jonathan Edwards will speak on the theme, ‘Step out of the Traffic! (Refuelling for Living)’.
Where? Warwick School
Cost: Family £300-£399, adult £103-£133. Age-based discounts and day/evening passes available
Tel: 01953 601779 or 07907 457715
Megalife Music Festival www.megalife.co.uk
When? Jun . 17- 18
Now in its fifth year, this free outdoor music festival aims to spread the good news of Jesus Christ through music, family fun and community interaction. The theme is ‘H20 – Water4life’, with attendees invited to donate £10 to help raise £30,000 for wells in East Africa.
Where? Moira Demesne, County Down
Cost: Free
Momentum www.soulsurvivor.com/uk/momentum
When? Aug . 19- 23
Soul Survivor’s older sibling is designed for students and those in their 20s and 30s. It’s an ideal place for young adults to connect with God, hang out with each other, renew their vision and delve deeper into life’s big issues.
Where? Bath and West Showground, Somerset
Cost: £99 (online bookings); £104 (post/email/fax)
Tel: 0303 333 1333
Newday www.newdaygeneration.org
When? Aug . 1- 6
Hosted by Newfrontiers, this major youth event immerses thousands of young people in the Word, worship, fun and friendship. Each afternoon, they roll their sleeves up and get stuck into social action, demonstrating love in practical ways.
Where? Norfolk Showground
Cost: £77-£127
Tel: 0845 8380858
New Horizon www.newhorizon.org.uk
When? Jul . 16- 22
With celebration, teaching and ministry, this all-age non-residential conference has plenty to offer. Other delights include a ceilidh and live entertainment. Greg Haslam, Vaughan Roberts and Trevor Morrow will unpack the theme, ‘Unleashing the Truth’.
Where? Coleraine, County Londonderry
Cost: By donation/offerings
Tel: 028 2955 7157
New Wine www.new-wine.org
When? Jul . 23- 29 (L/SE) Jul . 30- Aug . 5 (N/E) Jul . 31- Aug . 6 (C/SW)
Some 30,000 people attended this ecumenical event last year. Together with a lively programme of faith-filled activities, there’s time to unwind over a coffee, at a concert or in the marketplace. Speakers tbc.
Where? Newark, Nottinghamshire (North/East conference); Royal Bath and West Showground, Somerset (London/South East and Central/South West conferences)
Cost: From £140. Age-based discounts / day tickets available
Tel: 0845 437 8656
Pentecost Festival www.pentecostfestival.co.uk
When? Jun . 3- 12
Organised by Share Jesus International, this year’s urban festival promises to be ‘the biggest and best so far’, with arts, comedy, sport, social action, prayer, debates and more. Highlights include a finale celebration at the O2 Arena with Nicky Gumbel, Joel Houston and Tim Hughes.
Where? Central London
Cost: Free, with small fees for some events
Tel: 020 8781 1735
People Without Limits www.peoplewithoutlimits.org
When? Aug . 6- 11
A celebration of the way God changes lives, churches and communities, People Without Limits blends worship, teaching and relaxation, with Eric Delve and the ubiquitous Jeff Lucas among the speakers.
Where? Kent Showground, Detling
Cost: £132 (children £66-£99). Family packages, special offers, day rates available
Tel: 0870 901 7777
Revive! www.ichthus.org.uk
When? Jul . 30- Aug . 6
Ichthus Christian Fellowship’s annual Bible week offers ‘fun, food, fellowship, rest, relaxation and renewal’ for all ages. Greg Boyd, Jonathan Conrathe and Christen Forster will talk on the theme, ‘Friends of God’.
Where? Ashburnham Place, East Sussex
Cost: £47.50. Age-based discounts and day rates available
Tel: 020 8694 7171
Soul Survivor (A, B & C) www.soulsurvivor.com/uk
When? Jul . 29- Aug . 2 (A) Aug . 9- 31 (B) Aug . 14-18 (C)
Take tens of thousands of young people, mix with five epic days of worship, teaching, gigs, arts, prayer, seminars, ministry and sport, and you have one unforgettable journey with God. Line-up tbc.
Where? Stafford Showground, Stafford (Week A); Bath and West Showground, Somerset (Week B & C)
Cost: £99 (online bookings); £104 (post/email/fax)
Tel: 0303 333 1333
Summer Fire www.summerfire.org.uk
When? Aug . 5- 12
The successor to the Southport Methodist Holiness Convention, this ecumenical conference offers thought-provoking seminars, concerts, Bible studies and celebrations in the heart of a Victorian coastal town.
Where? Southport, Merseyside
Cost: TBC
Summer Madness www.summermadness.co.uk
When? Jul . 1- 5
Spirit-filled worship, teaching, music and a fringe programme of outdoor activities, sport and entertainment for 3,000 young people. The theme, ‘The Last Word’, centres on the Bible. With worship from former Delirious? frontman Martin Smith.
Where? Belfast
Cost: Depends on accommodation. Discounts/non-residential tickets available
Tel: 028 9067 3379
Together on a Mission www.newfrontierstogether.org
When? Jul . 12- 15
Some 5,000 delegates will unite for Newfrontiers’ annual gathering, with two streams: ‘Leadership International’ for leaders and ‘Mobilise’ for students and 20-somethings. Designed to refresh, envision and equip present and future leaders.
Where? The Brighton Centre, Brighton
Cost: ‘Leadership’ from £140. ‘Mobilise’ from £80
