Powerful wave of worship

The next generation was leading the charge at this year’s Spring Harvest, with 631 children and young people making commitments for Christ

More than 10,000 people descended on Butlins this Easter for Spring Harvest 2025, with many from Elim churches among them. And what unfolded was a powerful wave of worship, commitment and unashamed joy.

With roughly a third of attendees under 18, it was clear that the next generation weren’t just present – they were leading the charge.

“This is why we do what we do,” said Abby Guinness, Head of Spring Harvest. “We are passionate about fighting for the next generation and inviting them to play their part in God’s great story.”

And fight they did – with song, dance, prayer and passion. A total of 631 children and young people made first-time commitments or recommitted their lives to Jesus during the week-long Christian conference. Staff described the atmosphere as “electric” as worship spilled late into the night.

One night saw the largest venue almost packed out at 10:45pm – not for a headline act, but for a youth worship session. Young people crowded the front, arms lifted high, dancing to ‘Give Me Oil In My Lamp’ and belting out ‘Shine Jesus Shine’ like it was the top of the charts. Some had been praying and worshipping for hours.

Even the Kids’ Team – mostly twentysomethings – couldn’t hide their enthusiasm. After hours of late-night worship in their makeshift team lounge, they had to be ushered off to bed with reminders: “We need you on top form for the kids in the morning!”

And the kids were certainly on form. Children and teens were given space to pray, reflect and encounter Jesus in fresh and personal ways. “We believe every child and young person is created for relationship with God,” said Guinness. “Our heart is to create moments where they can encounter His love, hear His voice, and step into His calling.”

Those moments came thick and fast. The ‘Everyone In Fund’ helped over 700 people attend who otherwise might not have managed to get there. The intergenerational gathering — now running for over 40 years — also welcomed a large group of prison leavers and those recovering from addiction. Their hunger for worship was so intense, they asked organisers for an extra venue in the afternoons. “They didn’t want to stop and didn’t care if anyone had a guitar,” Guinness said.

Spring Harvest’s growing youth presence is no accident. “In each of the past four years, more children and young people have made a decision to follow Jesus than the year before,” organisers revealed. “The data from the Bible Society’s Quiet Revival report jumped off the page – but here, the revival didn’t feel quiet at all.”

Gen Z and Generation Alpha are at the heart of this movement. Almost 40 per cent of Spring Harvest’s guests and team are now under the age of 26. Many thought they were the only Christians in their school or church – but here, they discover they’re not alone.

“Young people are fervent in worship at Spring Harvest,” said Guinness. “Seeing hundreds of young people say ‘yes’ to Jesus is so exciting. We give God the glory.”

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.