News Item

GOSPEL GATHERING: THE BIG UK CELEBRATION

On November 16-18 some of the most famous and celebrated names in Gospel music will perform at the UK’s first ever 3 day international Gospel event.

The event will take place at the new and improved Butlins site in Minehead, recently revamped with state of the art entertainment facilities. It will be the first time that such an array of artists such as Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Raymond & Co., Roger Samuels and Muyiwa & Riversongz have all performed on the same bill in this country. With still more artists to be added this will truly be a landmark occasion.

Nearly a fifth of British churchgoers are attending BME Churches, with half of Black and Ethnic minorities attending church regularly. That is 3 times the proportion amongst white adults.

Meanwhile the influence and reach of Gospel music is also increasing daily, even companies like U Switch use gospel music to get their message across. At least 70% of Christian media in the UK is dedicated to gospel music and the teachings of the BME churches. In h US the number of radio stations offering round the clock Gospel programming is rising by over 100% year-on-year, while the newly crowned American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks, is another Gospel singing Idol winner. There could not be, therefore, a more opportune time for the launch of the biggest gospel celebration in UK history: Gospel Gathering UK.

In the tradition of All Tomorrows Parties/Southport Weekender, Gospel Gathering UK will take place over the course of a weekend. Outside of the live music there will be across the board entertainment for all the family: Music workshops, a talent show (where the winner gets to warm up for Kirk Franklin), sports and leisure facilities ranging from go-kart tracks to hair and nail salons, shops selling everything from jewellery through to books and, of course, a vast range of African and Caribbean food prepared by specialist caterers.

On the Sunday there will be a service held by Bishop John Francis. Multi-talented preacher, broadcaster, musician, singer, author and international conference speaker Bishop John Francis is universally acclaimed by ‘Gospel Today’ as one of the worlds top 5 world-class pace-setting pastors.

Gospel Gathering UK is backed by RCA Records in association with Butlins, Premier Radio (the UK’s No.1 Gospel station) United By One (on-line Christian community) and HMV, the official Gospel Gathering UK music supplier. The event from November 16-18 will not only be the biggest celebration ever in Europe, but will be the first of many bi-annual Gospel Gatherings in the UK.

For further information and booking, check out: www.gospelgatheringuk.com
Words Jamie Topham