As well as fun in the sun, people who attended Ignite Church’s
Urban Wave week also witnessed baptisms in the sea
Families on crest of a wave thanks to church
It’s not often you can find a mountain-top experience at the seaside, but Darren Edwards at Ignite Church in Lincoln has managed it. And on a budget too…
Ignite Church in Lincoln has been offering a packed programme of devotions, services, kids work and beach fun through its Urban Wave since 2014, all for just £15.
“We started Urban Wave because we wanted to take our church to a family festival or conference, but we looked at other events and couldn’t find any our guys could afford,” says church pastor Darren Edwards. “There was nothing that would work for a single mum with three under-tens, for example, so we started our own event.”
From a missional weekend in tents in Skegness costing just £15 per family, Urban Wave has since moved to caravans in Mablethorpe.
Darren Edwards
at Urban Wave
By using the church’s Gift Aid revenue, Darren has managed to keep tickets at £15 per adult, and free for under- 18s. For some families it ’s their first-ever family holiday, Christian conference or festival. And whether it’s a powerful speaker or a battle of the buckets building sandcastles at the beach, they have a fantastic week that benefits them for months afterward.
“Some people come back and start our discipleship programme or want to start tithing. Last year people were saved, set free and were spurred on to be discipled when they got home,” says Darren.
“It’s like a big family holiday at one of the best beach resorts in the UK and God is all over it!”
“I’ve been every year” Zoe Deery attends Urban Wave every year and says the week sets her up for the year.
“I went to the very first Urban Wave when we went camping and I’ve been every year since. It’s fantastic. It encourages you, there are amazing speakers, you get together with your church family, and those five days stay with you for the rest of the year.
“Darren is happy to give me the mic so I can prophesy over people and share what God is saying to me.
“I also enjoyed seeing both my sons getting baptised in the sea. That was amazing!
Some of the ladies
enjoying afternoon tea
“You meet a lot of new people and I’ve found I can help them by sharing my story. I used to be a heavy drinker, but that means I can relate to people who also have bad pasts. It’s easier if you’ve been through something, because you understand and can help.
“There’s lots of fun stuff too – sandcastle building, sports on the beach, ten-pin bowling, an afternoon tea for the ladies and a men’s curry night. It’s an amazing week!”
This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.
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