New Word Alive
Encyclopedia
New Word Alive is an annual conference originated by a partnership of the UK Christian organisations UCCF
and Keswick Ministries
. The conference is focussed on Bible
teaching, corporate worship, and family time. The conference is a continuation of the former Word Alive event which ran within Spring Harvest
. As well as attracting around 4000 guests, the conference has historically included the largest evangelical student conference in Europe.
in 1993 and was a partnership between UCCF
, Keswick Ministries
, Spring Harvest
and initially the Proclamation Trust
. In 2007, it was announced that Word Alive would no longer be a part of Spring Harvest, and from 2008 would run independently in Pwllheli
, rather than Skegness . Press releases explaining the split were released by UCCF,
Keswick Ministries and Bishop Pete Broadbent of the Spring Harvest leadership team. The statements emphasise different factors leading up to the decision to cease working together. Following a subsequent statement by Pete Broadbent all sides accept that disagreements over Spring Harvest leadership team member Steve Chalke
's view of the atonement played at least some part in the split.
, John Piper
, and Terry Virgo
. Don Carson took morning Bible Readings in 1 John, while throughout the day a full children and youth programme was run, as well as a full selection of student seminar tracks, and evening celebrations.
with Phatfish
and Lou Fellingham
in the adult celebrations, and Soul Survivor in the student celebrations. The evening 'After Hours' programme included performances by Cathy Burton, Phatfish, and Keith
& Kristyn Getty
.
spoke on 1 Corinthians during the main Bible Readings in the first week, and Liam Goligher spoke on Jonah
in the second week. Evening speakers included Don Carson
, Terry Virgo
and Krish Kandiah. A special track for international students ran for the first time. Worship was again led by Stuart Townend
with Phatfish
and Lou Fellingham
in Week 1, whilst at Week 2 Keith
& Kristyn Getty
led.
UCCF
Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship , formerly known as the Inter-Varsity Fellowship , is a UK-based evangelical Christian charity that operates on university campuses....
and Keswick Ministries
Keswick Convention
The Keswick Convention is an annual gathering of evangelical Christians in Keswick, in the English county of Cumbria.- History :The Keswick Convention began in 1875 as a catalyst and focal point for the emerging Higher Life movement in the United Kingdom. It was founded by an Anglican, Canon T. D....
. The conference is focussed on Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
teaching, corporate worship, and family time. The conference is a continuation of the former Word Alive event which ran within Spring Harvest
Spring Harvest
Spring Harvest is an inter-denominational Christian conference and gathering in the United Kingdom. Its "Main Event" takes place annually at the Butlins resorts in Minehead and Skegness over the Easter school holiday period....
. As well as attracting around 4000 guests, the conference has historically included the largest evangelical student conference in Europe.
History
The first Word Alive event took place as part of Spring HarvestSpring Harvest
Spring Harvest is an inter-denominational Christian conference and gathering in the United Kingdom. Its "Main Event" takes place annually at the Butlins resorts in Minehead and Skegness over the Easter school holiday period....
in 1993 and was a partnership between UCCF
UCCF
Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship , formerly known as the Inter-Varsity Fellowship , is a UK-based evangelical Christian charity that operates on university campuses....
, Keswick Ministries
Keswick Convention
The Keswick Convention is an annual gathering of evangelical Christians in Keswick, in the English county of Cumbria.- History :The Keswick Convention began in 1875 as a catalyst and focal point for the emerging Higher Life movement in the United Kingdom. It was founded by an Anglican, Canon T. D....
, Spring Harvest
Spring Harvest
Spring Harvest is an inter-denominational Christian conference and gathering in the United Kingdom. Its "Main Event" takes place annually at the Butlins resorts in Minehead and Skegness over the Easter school holiday period....
and initially the Proclamation Trust
Proclamation Trust
The Proclamation Trust is a British evangelical Christian association founded in 1986 by Dick Lucas, led by Vaughan Roberts, based in Willcox House, London that is dedicated to training preachers in expository preaching...
. In 2007, it was announced that Word Alive would no longer be a part of Spring Harvest, and from 2008 would run independently in Pwllheli
Pwllheli
Pwllheli is a community and the main market town of the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd, north-western Wales. It has a population of 3,861, of which a large proportion, 81 per cent, are Welsh speaking. Pwllheli is the place where Plaid Cymru was founded. It is the birthplace of Albert Evans-Jones -...
, rather than Skegness . Press releases explaining the split were released by UCCF,
Keswick Ministries and Bishop Pete Broadbent of the Spring Harvest leadership team. The statements emphasise different factors leading up to the decision to cease working together. Following a subsequent statement by Pete Broadbent all sides accept that disagreements over Spring Harvest leadership team member Steve Chalke
Steve Chalke
Steve Chalke, is an ordained Baptist minister who is a prominent, and often outspoken, Christian leader and social activist based in the UK. He is the author of numerous books and articles as well as a regular presenter and contributor on television and radio programmes...
's view of the atonement played at least some part in the split.
Theme and speakers
The 2008 event theme was Authentic Faith in the Real World, and featured as its main speakers Don CarsonDon Carson
Donald Arthur Carson is a Canadian-born evangelical theologian and professor of New Testament.-Background and education:...
, John Piper
John Piper (theologian)
John Stephen Piper is a Christian preacher and author, currently serving as Pastor for Preaching and Vision of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota...
, and Terry Virgo
Terry Virgo
Terry Virgo is a prominent leader in the British New Church Movement, . He is the founder of the Newfrontiers family of neocharismatic evangelical churches, which has grown into an international apostolic network of over 700 churches in more than 60 nations. He is a leading Reformed Charismatic...
. Don Carson took morning Bible Readings in 1 John, while throughout the day a full children and youth programme was run, as well as a full selection of student seminar tracks, and evening celebrations.
Music and praise
Music and praise at the conference was led by Stuart TownendStuart Townend
Stuart Townend is a British Christian worship leader and writer of hymns and contemporary worship music. His songs include "In Christ Alone" , "How Deep The Father's Love For Us", "Beautiful Saviour" and "The King Of Love".As of 2008, CCLI lists the "In Christ Alone" in its Top 25 CCLI Songs...
with Phatfish
Phatfish
Phatfish are a Christian rock, CCM and Worship Band. They live in Brighton, England and have spent many years writing and performing their own brand of worship-oriented rock, as well as leading worship both in the UK and across the world...
and Lou Fellingham
Lou Fellingham
Louise "Lou" Fellingham , , is a Christian worship leader, singer and songwriter from Brighton in East Sussex, England. She is a founding member of the British band Phatfish and has also pursued a solo career....
in the adult celebrations, and Soul Survivor in the student celebrations. The evening 'After Hours' programme included performances by Cathy Burton, Phatfish, and Keith
Keith Getty
Julian Keith Getty is a Northern Ireland composer, best known for pioneering "modern hymns." Many of his songs are co-written with his wife, Kristyn Getty, and veteran British songwriter and worship leader Stuart Townend...
& Kristyn Getty
Kristyn Getty
Kristyn Elizabeth Rebekah Getty is an Irish recording artist and worship leader. With her husband, she co-writes many new songs and hymns.An acclaimed soloist in her own right, Kristyn began singing as a teenager in her family's church in Northern Ireland...
.
Venue
New Word Alive 2008 was held at the Haven Holiday Park, Hafan y Mor, near Pwllheli in North Wales.New Word Alive 2009
The 2009 event was spread over two weeks, again in Pwllheli. Vaughan RobertsVaughan Roberts
Vaughan Roberts is the Rector of St Ebbe's Church, Oxford, United Kingdom., an evangelical Anglican church, subscribing to a traditional eleven point evangelical doctrine. In 2009, he became president of the Proclamation Trust.-Life:...
spoke on 1 Corinthians during the main Bible Readings in the first week, and Liam Goligher spoke on Jonah
Jonah
Jonah is the name given in the Hebrew Bible to a prophet of the northern kingdom of Israel in about the 8th century BC, the eponymous central character in the Book of Jonah, famous for being swallowed by a fish or a whale, depending on translation...
in the second week. Evening speakers included Don Carson
Don Carson
Donald Arthur Carson is a Canadian-born evangelical theologian and professor of New Testament.-Background and education:...
, Terry Virgo
Terry Virgo
Terry Virgo is a prominent leader in the British New Church Movement, . He is the founder of the Newfrontiers family of neocharismatic evangelical churches, which has grown into an international apostolic network of over 700 churches in more than 60 nations. He is a leading Reformed Charismatic...
and Krish Kandiah. A special track for international students ran for the first time. Worship was again led by Stuart Townend
Stuart Townend
Stuart Townend is a British Christian worship leader and writer of hymns and contemporary worship music. His songs include "In Christ Alone" , "How Deep The Father's Love For Us", "Beautiful Saviour" and "The King Of Love".As of 2008, CCLI lists the "In Christ Alone" in its Top 25 CCLI Songs...
with Phatfish
Phatfish
Phatfish are a Christian rock, CCM and Worship Band. They live in Brighton, England and have spent many years writing and performing their own brand of worship-oriented rock, as well as leading worship both in the UK and across the world...
and Lou Fellingham
Lou Fellingham
Louise "Lou" Fellingham , , is a Christian worship leader, singer and songwriter from Brighton in East Sussex, England. She is a founding member of the British band Phatfish and has also pursued a solo career....
in Week 1, whilst at Week 2 Keith
Keith Getty
Julian Keith Getty is a Northern Ireland composer, best known for pioneering "modern hymns." Many of his songs are co-written with his wife, Kristyn Getty, and veteran British songwriter and worship leader Stuart Townend...
& Kristyn Getty
Kristyn Getty
Kristyn Elizabeth Rebekah Getty is an Irish recording artist and worship leader. With her husband, she co-writes many new songs and hymns.An acclaimed soloist in her own right, Kristyn began singing as a teenager in her family's church in Northern Ireland...
led.