A magnificent moment!

Isn’t it amazing, the way weather can induce your worst fears?!

Despite knowing we serve a God with a proven track-record of calming actual storms, much of the week before Together Festival 23 was spent (by me at least!) visiting and revisiting the Met Office website, tracking the predicted path of the many storms expected to hover over Himley on Saturday 8th July.

When the day itself arrived, the forecast changed every half an hour, with unpredictable winds blowing weather patterns this way and that as they travelled over the West Midlands. Throughout the morning, we’d experienced several showers and my personal hopes of people actually turning out in such volatile weather were, I confess, pessimistically low. Yet the Black Country Church did not disappoint (you’re all ace, d’you know that?!). At 12pm, when the festival gates opened, there was a long queue all the way back to the carpark of determined festival goers, kitted out in their raincoats and brollies, ready to enjoy the day, whatever the weather.

As it happened, there was no need to fret (something else Jesus told us not to do – when will I learn?!!). Over 3000 people attended Together Festival 23 across the day, representing over 200 different churches. That’s incredible! And the weather held out, sometimes in what we believe now were miraculous ways. At one point we were live-tracking lightning strikes across the country as they happened via a very clever website. We watched storm after storm get nearer and nearer to Himley, only to divert themselves up and around us every time they got close. Any lightening would have meant a mass-evacuation of the site so we’re grateful that God intervened to prevent that from happening. (Note to self: God still calms and redirects storms!).

ACTIVITIES GALORE!

The festival itself was just brilliant (something we’ve been told by hoards of you in the days that have followed).

The Family Zone was packed with kids enjoying the performances and activities on offer, not to mention the ever-popular nerf arena. Tweens and teens flocked to the Youth Zone with its tuck shop, computer games and the all important meet and greet with the awesome Guvna B! The Creative Zone was bustling once again, with the addition of the Christian blacksmith a particular highlight, along with the pop-up gospel choir which was enjoyed by hundreds of people. And the Explore Zone was alive with visitors exploring the wonderful work done by Christian charities across the region and beyond.

 

The all new Celebration Zone was a hub of musical worship throughout the day, often with a tangible sense of God’s presence, as people gathered together to celebrate all that God is doing in our region and praise Him for His plans. Philippa Hanna gave a fantastic performance, as did Gas Street Music and the inimitable Guvna B. And Project 21, Room 1 Project and the specially formed Together Band brought a local touch to the worship offered in the big top tent.

The whole day was made possible by our really hard-working staff team who lead each zone and oversaw the site, alongside a faithful army of hardworking volunteers, without whom, it just wouldn’t have been possible. Financially, we were blown away once again by the generosity of local churches, organisations and generous individuals who helped to sponsor the event to make it a reality.

WHAT’S NEXT?

So what now?

It’s important to remember that Together Festival was another moment in an ongoing movement of togetherness across our region. Love Black Country (LBC) exists to help facilitate and coordinate opportunities to gather, connect and network with others in order to see kingdom transformation come to the Black Country. We do not own this movement. We’re merely part of it. And we invite you to get on board and join the movement too.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Love Black Countryʼs initiatives are here to help serve the movement by creating spaces and networks you can access. Spaces where you can meet with people who have what you lack and lack what you have. We are stronger together. LBC regularly hosts network gatherings for church leaders, kids and youth workers, Christian business people, alongside intercessors and Christian creatives. To be kept up to date about all of these gatherings and more, please sign up to our mailing list here.

 

FUND THE MOVEMENT

Share

< Previous post  |  Next post >