Ministries

Think you know church? Think again, says Share Jesus

No pews, no walls, no barriers, this is church as it was meant to be; alive, passionate and open to all, says Share Jesus International.

On the 9 to 11 May, Share Jesus' Pentecost Festival will launch the church out of the building and into the streets of London. This highly visible festival will be headlining in streets and venues throughout the heart of the capital as thousands of people get involved.

Pentecost weekend offers large ticketed events which will showcase various styles of entertainment from Bollywood extravaganzas to political debates alongside rap troupes and electric-funk bands. Hosted in venues such as the Astoria and the Soho Revue bar, these events promise to deliver unmissable experiences.

Contributing to the festival feel are over a hundred unique events, the majority of which are free, taking place on Saturday - including manga-art workshops, parkour displays, live music, multicultural foods and sports competitions.

From Camden, through to Leicester Square, from Embankment down to Waterloo the festival will fill scores of venues and outside spaces across the capital with energy and excitement.

Andy Frost, director of Share Jesus International, said: "This fresh, new initiative is a refreshing expression of the Christian faith for a society bored with church politics, religious dignities and irrelevant controversies.

"Acting as a platform for expression, relevance and prayer the Pentecost Festival will display the exciting diversity that is contained within the church body."

Refusing to be bound by society's mold, the Pentecost Festival aims to challenge the misconceptions about church and give London an exhilarating boost of vibrant faith.

Mark Field, MP for the Cities of London and Westminster, said: "The ethos of the Pentecost Festival is to be open to all London cultures and ethnicities and stands as a truly community based initiative. The festival's focus on cohesion and collaboration should be championed; it's a festival serving society."

For event timings, venues, and more information, go to www.pentecostfestival.co.uk

Added: Thursday, May 1, 2008, 14:22 (BST)

I can find nothing in scripture to support rap or bollywood style entertainment needed to preach a very simple gospel message. We are not supposed to be conformed to the world. We as the body of Christ should be informing the world not the other way round. You are sending out a false message my friends. All I know is that we each will have to give an account when we stand before God. 'Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight' That is in God's sight not man's

This message has stood for generation after generation. It has only been the last 50-60 years that the lie has grown that God actually needs worldly props to spread His message. It's interesting as the church has lost it's power the numbers have diminished. Shouldn't that tell us something?

However God can speak through a donkey therefore He can touch people through any vehicle. Please understand that i am under no illusion that I could be a donkey. We need to be getting back to the old landmarks not further away from them though. I will pray for the Lords will and for everyone that is participating and sacrificing their time to take the Lord out on to the streets of London. May the Lord bless and keep them all

SH, UK

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