A Day at CreationFest

CreationFest, the free Christian Music Festival has moved to Cornwall this summer. Kernowyouth's Phil Hadley went along to sample the atmosphere...

It was a wet, drizzly afternoon as I drove the minibus of teenagers onto the Royal Cornwall Showground. None of them had been to a Christian Music Festival before and they didn't know quite what to expect. Nor did I. Here was a weekend festival extended to a week in a new location with sunshine of the liquid variety. After a few words of wisdom to the youngsters I lost them to take in the atmosphere of CreationFest 2009.

The advantage of the Showground is that with its sheds and a number of marquees, you can provide a number of indoor venues. So it was off to the Surf Cafe to check out Tylor on an accoustic set. Accompanying herself on keyboard, with fellow artist Jules on backing vocals, she created a jazz/blues feel to the afternoon singing on themes like anger, but providing hope with songs like "September" which she dedicated to anyone in the audience who was having a rough time. She finished her set with a cover of the classic "Lovely Day".

I then headed to the seminar tent for a "youth seminar". There were 28 people there, mainly teens, to hear Josh from Precept Ministries illustrate the inductive method of Bible study. It was pleasant enough, but I left feeling if CreationFest is going to grow youth ministry is one of the areas that needs to go up a level or two! Admittedly, the wet weather had closed the Skate Park which would have provided a focus for the young people. I'd have to come back another day to see pro skater Zac Archuleta go through his demo.

A wander through the Market Place to chat to the Gideons, Compassion, CrossRhythms Plymouth & pick up a free book from Gospel For Asia, then took me back to the Surf Cafe for Philippa Hanna's set. This young lass of 24 who has only been a Christian four years, is already being to make an impact on the Christian music scene. She told a little of her testimony, becoming a Christian from a non-religious background after finding much of what she had tried in life didn't satisfy. She sang songs from her latest album "Taste". Songs like "Summer Bride", about a friend hurting from broken relationships, and "Work in Progress", about how as Christians we are not yet the finished article, went down well with the audience.

I then met up with a few Christian youth leaders from around the county, encouraging each other to see the event grow in Cornwall. "Musically," said Debbie Piper, "there is something for everyone, and they have chosen artists that have something to say, whether in their lyrics or ministering inbetween songs." "I like the heart of the guys from Cavalry," said Mike Cocklin from St Austell. "They just want to serve and bless and minister to folks by putting on an event that I would feel perfectly happy bringing non-Christians to." For years, Cornish youth leaders have discussed the desire for a Christian festival in the county, but none felt the county had the resources to stage one. Now God has provided one for us! Phil Pechonis, the Director of CreationFest, (pictured left) said CreationFest is committed to coming back to this venue next year.

I then wandered into the Big Shed to catch part of Brian Broderson's talk on the nature of the triune God. Brian is a pastor in Santa Ana, California. He told CreationFest that the Christian revelation of God is unique - because no other world religion portrays God as love. He went to on explain that God is relational and passionately wants to be involved in our lives.

The crowd in the Big Shed swelled as the main events of the evening loomed. Philippa Hanna took the stage with a bass guitarist and drummer and powered out a number of her songs. Some were from the afternoon set, but others were new, and she was well received by the mixed age audience. She reminded me in many ways of a young Dido, a singer/songwriter who crafts her songs with skill and subtlety.

The audience suddenly became younger as BOSH took the stage and rocked them all the way back to Bournemouth! The teenagers loved it. In the midst of the crowd down at the front by the crush barrier I spotted the youngsters I had brought & they were definitely into it. A frantic, high energy set with soaring guitarriffs and crashing drums had everyone jumping, clapping their hands and taking in the lyrics ranging from messages on booze drinking to "Seek first the kingdom of God".

Then came a total change. Urban Collective New Direction Crew had everyone bopping or hand swaying to their uplifting rap'n'keys! Prince, GP, Isaac and Liz had the audience wrapped in their message of Christianity is not a one-off experience, it's a lifestyle lived in relationship with Jesus Christ.

The evening finished at 10:00pm. The rain had gone. The youngsters were rushing to buy CDs, t-shirts & collect autographs & take photos. It had been a great day. Yes, it's an event feeling its way in a new venue, but it's an event that's committed to being back in Cornwall next summer, & I would thoroughly recommend every Cornish youthleader getting their young people to it, whether camping for the week, or dropping in for a day or two. I for one will certainly be going back again. Now there's a thought, what are we doing tomorrow?

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