FIEC's racing certainty

‘The right idea at the right time!’ That has been the overwhelming response to the announcement that from summer 2007 there will be a ‘Bible Festival’ held at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Originally the idea was prompted by the need of FIEC to find a suitable and more central venue to replace its highly successful Easter residential conference.

But the vision has grown to embrace all those who are passionate for an opportunity to come together for a Christian event that is both Christ-centred and Bible-shaped — as well as being fun!

Why Cheltenham?

The changing business plans of Holiday Park owners coupled with the increasing complexities of school term dates prompted the FIEC to consider the long-term implications for the thousands who attend their Easter conferences. A year-long search of sites around the UK led to one obvious conclusion — it had to be at Cheltenham and at a different time of year. The advantages are obvious. The facilities at Cheltenham are second to none, its location is central and the surrounding Cotswold countryside is beautiful. Above all, the Racecourse owners have recently completed building the Centaur, a superbly equipped state-of-the-art auditorium seating over 2,200 people and they are keen to work with Christian organisations!

For the FIEC, the attraction is not only the location and availability but also the flexibility it offers — flexibility for long-term growth and development of the event and also flexibility when it comes to accommodation. There will be accommodation available to suit every budget.

At the same time as negotiations have been taking place behind the scenes, it has become evident that the evangelical landscape is changing rapidly. While much of the church is in turmoil, a fresh commitment to genuine Bible-shaped unity is emerging. The growth of the newly re-formed Affinity has revealed the hunger among many Christians to look beyond their own cherished ecclesiologies to establish new bonds of fellowship with all those who love the Lord and his Word. Gospel Partnerships are springing up across the country, bringing together ‘Bible’ people from a variety of backgrounds. Although a number of opportunities already exist for leaders to come together (notably the Evangelical Ministry Assembly in London each June), the question is ‘Where can we express and enjoy our fellowship as gospel people in a family-friendly environment?’ One of the answers is the Cheltenham Bible Festival!

Why Festival?

The name Cheltenham Bible Festival has been carefully chosen. The essence of festival is celebration. While we worship the Man of Sorrows and there is much in this world to grieve us, so much of the Lord Jesus’s earthly ministry was an unashamed anticipation of the biggest celebration that creation will ever witness — planned by God from eternity for eternity. Cheltenham hosts a number of festivals throughout the year, but not one quite like this. At the Cheltenham Bible Festival, we hope to encourage Christians to celebrate all that God has done for us in Christ and all that God has made us in Christ. At the heart of a very fallen world, we want to celebrate our redemption as God’s people, and look for ways of expressing our privilege of bearers of his magnificent image.

What are the aims?

While many of the aims of the Cheltenham Bible Festival are obvious, like teaching the Bible to all ages so that we grow in our love for God, there are a number of other important objectives. FIEC wants Cheltenham Bible Festival to help strengthen family life and release the gifts that God has lavished on his church into effective Christian service, both at home and further afield. It will also enable Christians to meet and make friends and promote true gospel unity among the Lord’s people.

Therefore in planning the Cheltenham Bible Festival, the FIEC is encouraging as many as possible to make the most of this unique opportunity. There are leadership and management structures in place, including a number from outside the immediate FIEC constituency. What is emerging is a programme where the preaching and teaching of Scripture will be central. We are grateful to God that Don Carson has agreed to come from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, to be the keynote speaker.

But we are seeking to create a summer event out-of-doors where holiday and fun will be entirely appropriate. Various church and para-church groups will be invited to run their own meetings in the afternoons and numerous evangelical agencies will be exhibiting in larger and more creative ways than has previously been possible. Activities for children will run throughout the day and we anticipate that a variety of gigs and concerts will feature later at night.

The ‘feel’ for the whole Cheltenham event will not be so much a conference as a festival. There will be space for everyone attending, whether from a family group or on their own, to relax, think, explore and enjoy. The vast site means one will constantly be surprised at what lies around the corner. Opportunities will abound for interacting with other Bible people working out their faith in many activities. Several churches are already considering holding their own holiday weeks at this time in the Cheltenham area and making use of all the resources and activities available on-site.

When is it?

The dates for this inaugural event are Tuesday August 7 to Friday August 10 2007. Cheltenham Racecourse is easily accessed from Junction 9-11 on the M5 and provides acres of parking (and caravanning, if needed).

If you would like to know more, read the Ethos Statement behind the vision or find out how you and your church or organisation can be involved, contact the Event Manager, Andrew Nicholson, on 01858 411553, or send an email to cheltenham @fiec.org.uk. Please also email if you want a brochure sent to you in due course. The website http://www.biblefestival.com, will soon be up and running to provide more information.

FIEC's racing certainty

Why Cheltenham?

Why Festival?

What are the aims?

When is it?

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