The U.S. - based Luis Palau Evangelistic Association and Manchester ’s Message Trust partnered with over 500 churches, the Manchester and Salford City Councils, Greater Manchester Police, and dozens of corporate and private supporters to produce the event, which combined community service and social action projects with a massive music festival.

Close to 5,000 volunteer/delegates from throughout the UK and Western Europe worked on over 300 service projects in some of the city’s most deprived areas. Over four days, some 75,000 hours of work were contributed to the cleanup, repair and upgrading of public and private facilities in dozens of estates.  

On the weekend, the volunteers joined an estimated two-day crowd of 55,000+ who came to the park to enjoy major Christian music artists like TobyMac, Tait, The Tribe, and the London Community Gospel Choir along with a variety of festival activities. There was a Kidz Zone play area, vintage and extreme car show, and a custom-built, 10,000 square foot skate park featuring some of the world’s top skateboard and BMX professionals. World evangelist and author Luis Palau shared the message of good news and hope which he has presented in over 70 countries in front of 18 million people.

“This festival showed the city and the region that followers of Jesus are joyful and selfless,” said Palau . “The dedicated service of the volunteers...the cooperation of the churches and local agencies...the lives that were eternally changed...it all came together this week under God in Manchester .” 

Festival: Manchester will leave a lasting mark on the city, from the over 1,500 new believers who made decisions for Christ during the week to the massive skate park, built by volunteers with donated materials, which will soon be permanently installed at a Manchester recreation facility.

“The full impact of the festival will only be known in heaven,” said Message Director Andy Hawthorn e. “We’ve dreamt of a church community that’s not only for the like-minded, but one that gets involved with broken communities that desperately need Jesus. At Festival: Manchester that dream started to become a reality.”

Over 1500 recorded decisions for Christ were made in the streets and in the park during the festival.

Festival : Manchester

in Poynton

26 - 31^st August 2003

"On the Streets” -  Tuesday 26^th  to Friday 29^th August.

Here are Poynton, we have been busy putting plans together as Team Hosts for the following projects:

Forbouys ...clean up, renovate and use as base for the week to promote F : M. Also use for display of schools work and serve drinks etc. 

BEFORE

AFTER

Texaco site ... makeover, lay gravel, flower beds, tubs and planters plus large scenic mural. This is how it started -

BEFORE

AFTER

Kids Club at Lostock

Sports activities at Deva Park for 11-14 year olds

Car washing at Civic Centre car park

Tidying up of shop and parking areas

Helping the elderly

“In The Park” -  Saturday 30^th  & Sunday 31^st August 2003 12:00 - 6:00pm

Heaton Park , Manchester was the venue for the largest outdoor Skate Park ever in Manchester!  And there was something for everyone, all ages, with a kids zone, music, games, puppets, clowns, bouncy castles, crafts and much more.   Not only all that, but also! - Festival food court, vintage and extreme car show and brilliant music

ALL FREE!

Special guest Dr Luis Palau spoke to the thousands of visitors in the Park.

*****

ALSO

Special Speaker Dr Luis Palau - at a Ladies Luncheon, at the Lowry Hotel, 12-2pm on the 26th August 2003

Special Speaker Dr Luis Palau - at Business, Professional & Civic Luncheon at the Great Hall, Manchester Town Hall, 12-2pm on the 28th August 2003

*****

F : M Delegates

A number of our young people (aged 14 - 25yrs) booked for the mission and joined the other Church groups at  Tent City in the Park. 

Please pray thank God for the huge response to this mega event, and for all the activities here at Poynton and over at  Manchester going forward as part of God’s Plan, His Mission and for His Glory.