Methodist Church to hold last ever Breakout youth festival

The Methodist Church’s last ever Breakout signals the end of an era in Christian youth festivals but Methodist Children and Youth Director Mike Smeaton promises that its departure is going to make way for something new.

The final Breakout festival will draw youth together at Cliff College, Derbyshire, around the theme of ‘Connect’, with an emphasis on connecting with God, with each other, and with the world.

The diverse programme is offering youth the chance to join together in worship, comedy, music, dance and workshops over three days in July. The festival features new venue, the ‘well’, where youth workers can chill out, meet new people and share resources and ideas.

Mr Smeaton said this year’s Breakout would be a “prayerful thank you” to God and the hundreds of volunteers who had worked hard to make the festival happen over the years.

“This is the end of an era. Breakout is part of a proud 65-year history of youth festivals, at which we’ve had a unique opportunity to share the Christian message in a relevant way with tens of thousands of young people. But it is time for something new,” he said.

“We’ll be building on the best of Breakout and weaving it into new formats so that the Methodist Church continues to be at the forefront of supporting and engaging young people in life of the Church.

The Church’s Children and Youth Team is now embarking on its new five-year ‘Connect’ strategy, which will focus on seven key themes: valuing children and young people; thinking, talking and being with God; being 21st century church; supporting youth and children’s workers; teaching and challenging; participation, and speaking out.