THE guys behind the BigChurchDayOut enjoyed the May weekend so much they can’t wait to do it all again. But instead of letting you come to them, they’re coming to you.
Next month, Reading’s Deliverance Centre will host two star-studded concerts, bringing the very best of the BigChurchDayOut to your doorstep.
The first BigChurchNight event, featuring Martin Smith and Leeland, arrives at the Portman Road venue on Tuesday, November 12, while Stuart Townend and Philippa Hanna perform on Friday, November 29 – the perfect start to your weekend.
The evenings aim to bring the ethos of the BigChurchDayOut to a local setting, making it accessible for everyone. And with tickets costing just £14, they won’t break the bank either.
The two NightIn gigs form part of a national tour that sees Martin Smith, Leeland, Stuart Townend
and Philippa Hanna travel the country to share their music. As well as Reading, they will appear
in Bournemouth, Bath, Norwich, Manchester,
Cardiff and many other towns and cities
across the UK.
Tim Jupp, who used to perform in the hugely popular band Delirious?, is the brains behind the BigChurchNightIn and he can’t wait for the show to get back on the road again.
He says: “The BigChurchNightIn events take place throughout each year often in towns and cities near to where you live. They are evenings which create space for God’s people to come together to be ourselves, be with others and meet with God.
“Some of these times will be for holding each other up when we’re flagging and other times to cheer each other on when we’re winning. Times to stand together in celebration, community and joy!”
Creativity is an important part of both the BigChurchDayOut and the BigChurchNightIn
as Tim explains:
“As Church we need an expression to the outside world of our unity and love for each other and the BigChurchNightIn events aim to show this, not always through finding the common things we have to agree on but often how we learn to love Jesus more by being with each other.”
The artistes on the bill will both help Tim meet those aims. Leeland is a band from the US, who promise to take on an impassioned journey straight to the heart of God. The band comprises three siblings: Leeland, Jack and Shelly Moorling, along with drummer Mike Smith.
After one of the most successful careers of any UK Christian band, former Delirious? front man Martin Smith is coming to Reading as part of his first-ever UK Tour. The evening will have a focus on worship and will feature many of Martin’s new songs as well as some Delirious classics.
His latest album, God’s Great Dance Floor – Step 02 will have been just released when the first BigChurchNightIn comes to Reading on November 12.
On Friday, November 29, you can hear Philippa Hanna, who is one of the UK’s brightest talents whose captivating songs and stories never fail to connect. The Sheffield-based songwriter has appeared on Songs of Praise, had her hits performed on BBC Radio 2 and recently released her second book, Following The Breadcrumbs.
She is supporting Stuart Townend, who needs little introduction. With his distinctive style of acoustic folk, Stuart is one of the leading worship songwriters of this generation: from In Christ Alone to The Power of the Cross, his songs are sung in churches around the world.
The BigChurchNightIn is teaming up with both Food for the Hungry and Compassion. Theses charities work in poor communities around the world to release children from poverty. They run holistic child development programmes that focus on the spiritual, economic, social and physical needs of children, through all stages of their development.
Also partnering with the BigChurchNightIn is the broadcaster UCB. Broadcasting on digital radio, on satellite and on the internet, the company has a range of stations to suit all tastes and needs.
It all adds up to TWO great NightIns … and all without leaving the Thames Valley.
Tim adds: “We look forward to seeing you at a BigChurchNightIn event near you soon.”
