Big Church Festival 2025

As the summer sun set over the rolling fields of West Sussex, tens of thousands gathered once again for one of the UK’s most loved Christian music events – Big Church Festival 2025.

Across three vibrant days in August, the air was filled with worship, joy, and community spirit as believers from every corner of the country came together to lift high the name of Jesus.

From the moment you stepped onto the festival grounds, you could feel it – the unmistakable energy of hearts united in praise. The main stage lit up with incredible performances from Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, and Pat Barrett. Their music wasn’t just entertainment; it was a powerful call to worship, each song becoming a prayer sung by thousands of voices as one.

Brandon Lake’s set was electric, the kind that makes you want to dance and cry all at once. Phil Wickham brought a wave of reverence, his soaring vocals echoing into the night sky, while Pat Barrett’s heartfelt lyrics drew the crowd into intimate moments of worship.

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A Tapestry of Styles and Sounds

One of the most moving aspects of this year’s festival was the diversity of music styles – all glorifying the same God. Elevation Rhythm brought youthful, high-energy pop worship that had the crowd jumping, while Jonathan and Melissa Helser invited everyone into deep, reflective moments of prophetic worship.

The legendary Israel Houghton & New Breed filled the fields with gospel grooves and infectious joy, while Martin Smith & Friends reminded us why his anthems have soundtracked decades of modern worship.

Across the stages, the variety was stunning:

Samm Henshaw blended soul and R&B with gospel warmth.
Limoblaze lit up the arena with Afrobeat praise and unstoppable rhythm.
Amanda Cook brought raw intimacy with her heartfelt ballads.
Elle Limebear carried forward a new generation’s voice of faith with modern pop.
Chris Renzema led with folk-inspired sincerity that made worship feel personal.
Josh Baldwin anchored moments of reflection with his powerful country-tinged worship.
Tim & The Glory Boys had everyone stomping along to their infectious bluegrass gospel.
LZ7 raised the roof with dance-floor-ready beats and hip-hop energy.
Philippa Hanna inspired with acoustic pop storytelling rooted in faith.
YolanDa Brown’s saxophone-infused set blended jazz and gospel in a way that felt truly heavenly.
Faith Child and Still Shadey brought fire to the stage with rap that spoke truth and hope into the crowd.

Each set was different in style, but all were united in heart – pointing back to Jesus.

The Backstage Blessing

One of the highlights for us at Horizon Radio was the chance to experience life backstage. The hum of anticipation, the laughter between artists, and the quiet moments of prayer before stepping out into the lights – it was a reminder that what happens on stage flows out of a deep faith lived off stage too. Seeing the artists not just as performers, but as brothers and sisters in Christ preparing to lead us into worship, was both humbling and inspiring.

There were moments where we stood side-stage, hearing the roar of the crowd as the first chord struck. Other times, we caught a glimpse of genuine joy and gratitude in the eyes of musicians as they returned from the stage, moved just as much as the audience by God’s presence.

Candlelit Intimacy – Worship in the Small Church

For those camping overnight, the 10:30pm acoustic sets in the small church on the estate were nothing short of magical. As dusk gave way to darkness, the candlelit space filled to the brim – pews packed tight, with people spilling onto the floor, the aisles, and even sitting cross-legged like attentive children at school assembly.

The atmosphere was hushed, reverent, and holy. Stripped-back songs filled the wooden beams, voices rising together in delicate harmonies. You could hear every strum of the guitar, every note of worship echoing gently against the stone walls.

For many, this was the most intimate encounter of the weekend – a reminder that worship is just as powerful in quiet stillness as it is on a massive stage.

Those lucky enough to squeeze inside spoke of being caught up in a kind of holy drift, as if the Spirit itself was weaving through the room. It was a gift to the faithful campers who lingered long into the night, unwilling to let go of the festival’s embrace.

A Festival Like No Other

What makes Big Church Festival truly special isn’t just the music – it’s the atmosphere of family, unity, and hope. Between sets, children laughed and ran through fields, food stalls filled the air with tempting aromas, and churches gathered together for prayer under the open sky.

It felt less like an event, and more like a foretaste of heaven – thousands of believers together in one place, worshipping freely.

Over three days, we witnessed not only incredible artistry but countless moments of transformation: hands raised in surrender, tears of healing, voices breaking out in spontaneous praise.

It was a reminder that the Church is alive, vibrant, and moving forward with power.

Looking Ahead

As the final notes of worship drifted into the night on Sunday, it was clear that Big Church Festival 2025 had been more than a gathering – it was an encounter. Lives were touched, hearts were stirred, and faith was strengthened.

At Horizon Radio, we left the fields with full hearts and a renewed passion to keep sharing the good news through music and community. Backstage or candlelit pews, front row or food court, what we experienced was the same truth: God is here, and He is moving through His people.

Until next year, Big Church Festival – thank you for the unforgettable worship, the unity, and the joy of being the Church together.

Get your early bird tickets here: https://bigchurchfestival.com/