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Creation Fest 08 comes to an end

Written by Karen Pattenden, Assist News

Saturday, 09 August 2008

WOOLACOMBE, DEVON, UK (ANS) -- As the last tent peg was being pulled from the Creation Fest 08 festival site in the British surf-town of Woolacombe in North Devon, the volunteers and professionals seemed satisfied that this year's festival had hit the hearts of many who had come.
Joyfully celebrating the Creator (Photo: Ian Homer)

Britain's leading free annual Christian music festival, Creation Fest aimed to share the message of the Gospel and there were stories of drug-addicts, kids, Muslims, and teens that had been drawn closer to, and some who had been drawn into, a saving knowledge of Jesus at this year's Fest.

The sun shone, the rain fell but the smiles continued throughout Creation Fest and while the festival boasted over twenty-four bands, both local and international, the Bear Hug Band's "My rock, my sword, my shield" proved a rockin' success as much with the adults as with the kids. Bursting with energy the little band led the kids through a series of steps before handing them over to the kid's team to try out some face-painting, crafts and sports.

As the kids were kept busy, parents and others were able to ponder the issues of life in the seminar tents, where speakers included an array of accomplished Christian biochemists, educationalists, clergy and businessmen, including pastor Lu Wing, a passionate biochemist and university professor, who posed the question "Does God Exist?" Pastor Bob Coy, from one of America's fastest growing mega-churches, Florida's Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, spoke of man's need to know and worship God, to a packed audience.

While Scotsman and pastor, David Robertson, famed for a series of letters published in response to "The God Delusion," spoke of how the evolution-creation debate is more of an issue for the church than most non-Christians, whose objections to faith, he held, remained focused mainly on suffering, religious wars, why one religion is superior to another and Jesus' unique claims.

And while it may be argued that the evolution-creation debate is more of an issue for the church than at the forefront of most non-Christian's objections to the Christian faith, it is a debate which is affecting every area of public life in Britain, Europe and beyond as it threatens to degrade humanity and bury the Bible. For this reason, banker Stephen Vickery chose to speak on the authority of the Bible.

At the main stage on Sunday morning thousands of visitors, volunteers and Devon church congregations filled the field where pastor and broadcaster Brian Brodersen of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California, shared on the book of Hebrews during the main service.

A surfer shows his skills during Creation Fest 2008 (Photo: Ian Homer)

Throughout the weekend many worshipped with Scott Cunningham, chilled to the tunes of groups like LZ7, Superhero, Four Kornerz and others on the main stage, as some soaked up the mellow tones of Philippa Hanna, Lindsy Morton and the likes in the acoustic and surf cafes. Pro-skater Jud Heald demonstrated his moves to excited groups of teen skate enthusiasts on the 6000+ sq ft visitor park, while pro-surfer Cheyne Cottrell introduced the European film premiere of surf-film "Walking on Water" and The Big Move surf and skate contests drew the crowds.

Phil Pechonis speaking (Photo: Ian Homer)
A sense of celebration littered the atmosphere and despite the rain on Sunday following a fantastic day of sunshine on Saturday, visitor numbers were up on last year as over 7500 lapped it up at Creation Fest 08 which ran from 10am Friday 1st to 9pm Sunday 3rd August. Particularly successful was the massive skate park that was a greater success with teens than anticipated.

Speaking of the Festival's effectiveness at knitting the churches of North Devon together to reach people with the Gospel, festival director Phil Pechonis, said that the festival "is free because we want everyone to come."

Free admission was made possible, partly by a heap of help from local volunteers and others coming from farther a field. Volunteers included those who could walk next door to those who flew from as far away as Australia, underlying the strength of commitment to see this little corner of Britain return to its Christian heritage. In all, over twenty-four bands, 7500 visitors, 200 volunteers and an unknown but vast number of man-hours made Creation Fest 08 another festival to remember as the last tent peg was packed away in preparation for next year's Fest.

To find out more: www.creationfest.org.uk