More than 1,000 adults and hundreds of children and young people have generated record attendance at a newly-established major Bible-teaching convention in the United Kingdom.
Churchgoers from a wide range of denominations turned out in force for the third annual “Bible By The Beach” event initiated by the Bishop of Lewes, Rt Revd Wallace Benn, at Eastbourne, England.
They enjoyed a variety of talks, worship, seminars and children and young people’s activities in the four-day get-together, which finished Monday afternoon (May 2nd).
“This is a flagship event for lively Bible teaching in the south-east,” Bishop Wallace told those attending. Organisers were delighted that in spite of the economic downturn, bookings for this year’s event were higher than 12 months ago.
The theme for this year was “Resurrection People,” and among those speaking were R. Kent Hughes, former Senior Pastor of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, and author of Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome; Rev Rico Tice, the originator and presenter of the Christianity Explored course who is on the staff of All Souls, Langham Place; Archbishop Greg Venables; and Andrew Wilson, a popular expositor and writer from the Kings Church, Eastbourne.
Camille B. Kampouris, one of Jim Henson’s Muppeteers, who now helps head up an international Christian online teaching initiative called Biblemesh, shared something of her journey to faith at the event and briefly reprised her role as the voice of some of Sesame Street’s best-known characters.
Those leading the many and varied seminars on offer included human rights campaigner Baroness Caroline Cox, founder and chief executive of the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART), and Oxford University professor John Lennox, who drew large audiences as he mounted a staunch defence of Christianity in the face of the attacks launched upon it by leading atheists such as Richard Dawkins.
Among many highlights, Sunday night’s packed evening celebration was a particularly memorable occasion, as Rico Tice spoke powerfully and effectively from Ephesians 2v1-10 on the theme “From Death To Life.”
Archbishop Greg Venables, who has ministered in South America for many years, flew in from an international conference of Anglican bishops to give a series of addresses, saying: “These are new days and God is working in wonderful ways around the world.”
Local dignitaries from Eastbourne, where the event took place, also attended, including MP Stephen Lloyd, and the Mayor, Councillor Carolyn Heaps. Internationally-recognised and acclaimed song and hymn-writer Stuart Townend led the musicians.
The event — held under the theme of “Resurrection People” — attracted churchgoers from across many different denominations. Plans are already underway for next year’s event, which will run from 4th to 7th May 2012. The theme will be “Christ in all the Scriptures.”
