Eden Burning, Johnny Markin, 65dBA for Dorset festival.

ON THE 9th, 10th and 11th of July, the 4th Kingston Festival will take place at Wimborne in Dorset. Among the artists booked to appear are Eden Burning, Johnny Markin, DKF, Shirley Novak, 65dBA, Helen Jayne, Andi Greene and Marilyn Baker. Included in the list of speakers are evangelists Phil Wall and Vic Jackopson. Kingston's organiser Bryan Mills said about last year's Kingston, "We were very encouraged with the response to the gospel at last year's event, 200 people were saved, 100 of whom had no church connection. Music is the draw in an event like Kingston. Really, this is an event that reaches people other things can't reach."

One potential problem this year for Kingston is that the event is being held over the same days at the Cross Rhythms Festival in Okehampton, Devon. Bryan Mills doesn't see it as a problem. "We support what Cross Rhythms is doing and we know they support us."

This is borne out by Cross Rhythms Festival organiser Chris Cole. "We at Cross Rhythms are thrilled that at another place in the West Country on the very same weekend another Christian festival is taking place. There is some tremendous ministry and music at Kingston and I really think this year the churches of the West Country, Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset have a glorious opportunity. Not only have Christians a chance to hear some of the best contemporary Christian music around but, like Cross Rhythms, Kingston is going to powerfully communicate the Gospel of Jesus."

Asked whether he thought two Christian festivals on the same weekend less than a hundred miles apart would affect attendance at Cross Rhythms Chris Cole responded, "Maybe it will. But we have been co-ordinating with Kingston so that some artists will appear at both events. I would urge Cross Rhythms readers to support Christian music ministry, and that means brave and God-given initiatives like Kingston. If the Cross Rhythms team takes a negative attitude and demonstrates competitiveness then we are no different from the world. Bryan and Cathy Mills have been Festival pioneers and I thank God for them." CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.