Young Christians rejoice at fun packed festival of faith

Around 1,400 people celebrated the glory of God at Scotland's biggest annual youth festival.

They gathered for Magnitude at Lendrick Muir by Kinross, Scripture Union Scotland's principal retreat centre, to explore, go deeper and rejoice in their Christian faith through music, dance and testimonies.

The five-day residential gathering for people aged 11-18 was "full of excitement and enthusiasm, passion and prayer, fun and faith".

That was the view of Very Rev Dr Martin Fair, the Kirk's Pathways to Ministry Manager, who was there as part of a team to support young people from the Church, who camped out in the grounds.

He said all those in attendance would be "bemused by the notions that the Church is dying in Scotland and that young people aren't interested" in faith.

Dr Fair said: "These young people do it their way and for their leaders and event organisers, it was an enormous privilege to witness their youthful exuberance, joyful worship and enjoyment of being in community."

The main activities were sited in and around Lendrick Muir house itself, not least in the Big Top venue, and from there the camp sites spiralled out in each direction.

Though there was plenty of rain, the sun did shine and the campers seemed to stay mostly dry but even in the damper moments, there was nothing to wipe the smiles off their faces.

Alongside the thrice-daily worship, prayer and teaching sessions, there was a sports and activity programme, spaces for quiet reflection and various exhibitors such as Tearfund, Scottish Bible Society, Mission Aviation Fellowship and International Justice Mission.

Faith journey

Members of congregations attended and many of them gathering at the official ‘Church of Scotland Village.'

The life of the village is organised by Suzi Farrant, the Kirk's Young People and Young Adult Development Worker, supported by a small staff team including Kay Cathcart, head of Ministries and Mission, and Dr Fair.

Cooking teams from various congregations prepared dinner for festival goers.

Alongside local youth leaders, the aim of the organising team is to put everything in place to allow young people to come and explore and go deeper in their respective faith journeys.

Dr Fair said: "For many, that's exactly what happened.

"The real encouragement is that 75 young people and their leaders were part of the village this year, compared with 27 last year.

"Why not over 100 next year?

"Get in touch if you want to get involved or would be interested in bringing young people from your congregation and please pray for our young people.

"The reality is that most of our congregations are devoid of young people, or at best have very few involved in the church's worshipping life.

"This makes events like Magnitude all the more vital.

"It's important for those youngsters who feel alone in their local contexts to see that they're part of something much bigger and it's an encouragement for all who hope for the future of the Church.

"May the vision of young people in worship, daring to be different and dancing and singing their hearts out, be one which inspires the Church to continue finding its way out of these challenging days.

"That it might be able to focus again on ministry and mission the length and breadth of Scotland and beyond."

Magnitude took place from 22-26 July.

To find out how to get involved in the next event, email FaithAction@churchofscotland.org.uk