‘Surprised by Joy’  – August Bank Holiday 2010

Greg Haslam was born and raised in Liverpool.  He is married to Ruth and they have three grown-up sons and two granddaughters.  He studied Theology and History at Durham University.  After teaching high school he trained for the ministry at the London Theological Seminary before moving to Winchester where he pastored for 21 years until his call to Westminster Chapel, London in March 2002.  Greg has travelled widely as a preacher and conference speaker, both in the UK and overseas.  He is the author of many articles and six books including  ‘Preach the Word!’

Phil Collins is a well known National Evangelist and Church Leader and has spent 19 years in ministry, travelling as an Evangelist throughout Britain, Canada, USA and Africa, conducting town and citywide missions. He spent many years as the National Evangelist for Youth for Christ where he pioneered ‘Life Force’ teams across Canada and then went on to develop ‘Activate Theatre Company.’ Phil is currently leading a church in Stourbridge in the West Midlands. He is married to Michelle, and they have 6 year old twin daughters, Emily and Jessica, and 2 year old Isabella.

In January 2003 Robin Oake, a retired police chief from Shrewsbury, received a phone call to say that his son, Stephen, had been murdured. Stephen Oake, who was also in the police force, had been stabbed to death during an anti-terror raid in Manchester. Robin says he believes forgiveness is possible in every situation.

The Youth Programme has been carefully designed to ensure that it nurtures the individual spiritual lives of young people across the 11-17s age group. We meet twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Each session is packed with teaching, worship, small-group discussion, multi media presentations, crazy games and lots of time to laugh and respond to God. During the second half of the morning and during the afternoon we offer a range of optional activities, including our soap box sessions, (a chance to go deeper on a variety of issues) sports, music, art, prayer and chill out in our own late night café. Throughout the weekend we’ll help you discover what it means to love and serve God daily.

Children under 5 have their own programme in our fantastic Children’s Centre and Garden, using a mixture of play, singing, games, crafts, stories and sensory activities -  the under 5s are guaranteed to have a wonderful time. Under 5s meet during the morning only. We also offer a soft play room that is open all day. Children aged 5-11 meet together in a programme that has been carefully designed to ensure that it nurtures the 5-7s and 8-11s effectively. We meet twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Each session is packed with crazy games, teaching, worship, puppets, age streamed small-group activities, multi media presentations and lots of time to laugh and get to know God. During the second half of the morning and during the afternoon we offer a range of optional activities, including Bible Bop, sports and art.  We also offer an opportunity for the whole family to come together for all age worship on the Final Day.