ChristFest 2004 - Scotland Christian Celebration is under Preparation

ChristFest 2004 is a Christian celebration, opened to all denominations, organized by the Church of Scotland Presbytery of Dumfries and Kirkcudbright to bring together Christians and non-Christians from South West Scotland to praise our Lord through a combination of worship and education.

It is a two-day event from 26 June to 27 June. The preparation has been going on for over a year as the launch service held on Easter Monday 2003 marked its starting point.

Preparation works include fund-raising programs and prayer drives in January. As reported by the organising committee, a concert in aid of ChristFest 2004 funds was held in St. George's Church Halls on 30 January and a Silent Auction successfully raised over ?,050 towards Children's & Young People's Activities. Prayer Meetings for ChristFest 2004 are also held on the last Tuesday of every month.

Major programmes in ChristFest 2004 are lively and vivid music concerts as well as mass praising and morning services with communion. These are open to all denominations and ages, so there will be all styles of worship and music.

ChristFest 2004 is expected to attract the participation of many youths. The highlights will be an evening Christian concert, the Famous Scottish band 'Emily Smith & Band' is invited to give performance. The band was the winner of 2002 BBC Radio Scotland's 'Young Scottish Traditional Musician of the Year' Award.

ChristFest 2004 is based on John 14:6 - Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me." The logo of the event depicts this scripture. The blue road is 'The way, the truth and the life' leading to Jesus at the cross. Nobody gets to the Father except by following Jesus, hence the white steps on the road. The cross is empty Jesus has risen, symbolises that a new era has begun and life does not end at the cross. New Life begins with the risen Lord. The blue background is for Scotland where ChristFest 2004 is being held.

The organising committee believes that it will advance the Kingdom through the co-operation of Christians throughout the area and lead to a greater commitment of individuals and congregations to the service of Christ locally or wherever the Lord may lead them.