Big Church Festival: Worship, Wonder & A Weekend to Remember

This year in August, I decided to fulfill a dream and see parts of Europe.

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Having never been before, I made plans and began to fill my calendar for the trip of a lifetime.

It was during this planning, a friend suggested checking out Big Church Festival in the UK. My itinerary was now complete!

Not knowing much about the festival, I went along with minimal expectations. Set against the stunning backdrop of Wiston Estate in West Sussex — all rolling hills and open skies — Big Church Festival 2025 welcomed around 40,000 people for what has become one of the UK’s most anticipated Christian music events.

If you have minimal knowledge of the festival, its one that has been around for many years now and something I personally hadn’t heard of at all. Affectionately known as BCF, the festival has grown steadily since its launch in 2009 by Chris Jupp — one of the founding members of the legendary worship band ‘Delirious?’ What started as a dream has evolved into a three-day celebration of faith, music, and community that draws believers from across the UK and beyond.

This was no small gathering; I had very much arrived at a festival!

As I drove into the Estate in my Uber, the first thing I noticed was the sheer scale. Hills are dotted with tents, cars stretch as far as the eye can see, and volunteers in high-vis guide arrivals with joy and energy. The festival buzz hit me immediately. From the main stages and worship tents to food trucks, podcast lounges, kids’ zones, carnival rides, and the iconic BCF flags fluttering in the breeze — every inch of Wiston Estate feels alive with purpose. This was no small gathering; I had very much arrived at a festival!

This is an immersive experience — with ministry partners, social justice initiatives, prayer spaces, and moments of encounter everywhere you turn. For me, it stirred memories of festivals like Black Stump back in Australia. While I wasn’t camping, I showed up each day with a heart open and ready. And what I found was far more than entertainment — it was a powerful reminder of how alive and needed Christian festivals still are today.

Worship in the Tent: late nights, deep encounters

One of the standout spaces at BCF is the Worship Tent — a place where schedules slow down and worship deepens. Situated a good ten-minute walk away from the other main stages, stepping inside felt like entering holy ground. A marquee with its walls missing, a bare riser stage in the center, people filed in creating an ‘in the round’ worship experience. No screens, backdrops, set pieces to be seen – this space was all about simplicity.

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Pat Barrett — known for writing “Good Good Father” — led one evening that was nothing short of sacred. No flashy lights or booming intros, just Pat, a guitar, and songs that flowed like a prayer. At times extended, at times stripped back, the set felt raw and real. The Holy Spirit was tangibly at work. People weren’t just singing — they were encountering. You could see it in their faces: tears, smiles, hands raised in surrender. No one was in a rush. We were fully present, fully worshipping.

No flashy lights or booming intros, just Pat, a guitar, and songs that flowed like a prayer.

The Worship Tent stayed open for much of the weekend, hosting various artists across a wide spectrum of styles. It was impossible to be there for every session as the overall BCF itinerary was so full. The moments I did make it, were certainly special to say the least. In the summer heat, with fans spinning and the sides of the tent wide open, people still gathered — choosing worship over comfort. Martin Smith (also of Delirious?) brought his familiar prophetic edge, lifting hearts and voices with power and depth. What struck me most was the atmosphere — authentic, unpolished, and deeply reverent. It was a space where people laid down distractions and met with God. It was beautiful.

Elevation Rhythm: when the youth came alive

But it wasn’t all contemplative moments and quiet prayers — far from it. BCF was just as much about joy and celebration, especially when it came to the youth. The lineup for the festival was quite large.

Elevation Rhythm — the vibrant, youth-focused arm of Elevation Worship — brought a set that lit up the crowd. Based in California, their music is bold, energetic, and deeply grounded in Scripture. And the crowd felt it. I felt it!

What struck me most was the atmosphere — authentic, unpolished, and deeply reverent.

This wasn’t just hype — it was a glimpse of what Jesus-centered youth revival can look like. Students and young adults jumped, danced, sang at the top of their lungs, and declared their faith with unashamed passion. There were flags waving, hands raised, and contagious joy across the crowd. You could easily be distracted by blanketing it all as just hype, but it certainly wasn’t. Their beats were catchy, their message clear, and their impact undeniable. I found myself humming their lyrics later that day, surprised at how quickly their songs embedded into memory.

One particular song called ‘The Gospel’ lyrically tells the story of just that, the Gospel. In unapologetic storytelling, it ends with a cry of ‘This is the Gospel, this is the Good News,
Tell everybody how He saved you, This is the Gospel, come hear the Good News, tell everybody, there’s a God that loves you‘. Oh, and did mention it weaves in the chorus of Amazing Grace with some spoken word and upbeat vibes?

Grand Finale: Brandon Lake & Phil Wickham under the stars

With so much to take away already, it was very much evident, God wasn’t done yet. The final night brought everyone back together — tens of thousands gathered under the open sky for what turned out to be a breathtaking conclusion.

Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham took to the main stage and led what felt less like a concert and more like a global church service under the stars. Songs like Gratitude, I Believe, So So So Good, and a reimagined Awesome God rang out over the crowd. Their set was equal parts worshipful, celebratory, and powerful moments reflecting on scripture and just speaking out what God was clearly stirring in their hearts to share.

Knowing the wide demographic in the crowd, they also included classics like Agnus Dei, How Great Thou Art, and even a country-style rendition of Shout to the Lord, led by Brandon. It was one of those rare sets that transcended style and generation — uniting everyone in one voice, one Spirit, and one heart. Having been quite familiar with both artists catalogues of music, to worship with them in person was something pretty incredible. I’m praying they come to Australia soon so everyone else can experience the gift they are to the church.

To end the night, fireworks exploded overhead during Elevation Worship’s Praise — a song Brandon co-wrote — and the lyrics echoed across the field:

“I won’t be quiet / My God is alive / How could I keep it inside?”

More than music: a celebration of unity

What makes BCF truly remarkable isn’t just the artists or the production — it’s the heart behind it. The festival creates space for connection, for stillness, for joy, and for deep ministry.

You’ll see families worshipping together, friends catching up on picnic blankets, strangers praying for one another, youth groups running from stage to stage, and churches from every denomination gathering as one. It’s a picture of the Church at its best — joyful, united, and alive.

BCF also gives platform to incredible ministries and Christian organisations making a difference around the world. From Compassion initiatives to missions’ awareness, there’s more going on than music — there’s movement.

For those needing a break from the noise, there were café corners, bookshop tents, and quiet zones. Whether you’re wired for crowds or solitude, the festival makes space for both.

Final thoughts

The word ‘revival’ was mentioned a lot! From artists during their sets, MCs speaking to crowds and social media posts post event all generously used the term. Is it revival in the historical sense — underground, nation-shaking, movement-defining? Maybe not. But it is certainly revival in another way: a place of personal renewal, reconnection, and deep recharge. A space where the post-COVID Church gathers again in joy and power, ready to be salt and light to the world so that we may be strengthened to see more come to the Kingdom. At first, I struggled with the use of the word, considering the vast majority of people there were already Christians. But by the end of the festival, I had come to appreciate the term as I witnessed people personally revived and more passionate than ever to take the message of Jesus to their spheres and communities.

Big Church Festival 2025 reminded me of the power of the Church when we come together — and just how good it is when we dwell together in unity.

As the final notes rang out and people slowly streamed toward shuttle buses and car parks, I couldn’t help but reflect on what I’d just been part of: a gathering of believers from every walk of life, every generation, every style — united in worship, in purpose, and transformed for Jesus.

Big Church Festival 2025 reminded me of the power of the Church when we come together — and just how good it is when we dwell together in unity. Is it now time to bring back a similar music festival to Australia?