In many ways, I feel like the worst person to advise people on arriving to a conference well prepared - I’m the kind of person who forgets to bring a second layer on a winter trip to Scotland, or who has to play football in his jeans because of only allowing 30 seconds to read the kit list... But having been to Word Alive with the Music Network twice as a student, perhaps my past mistakes put me in a position to encourage you not to fall into the same errors and to make what will already be a good week great. Here’s five things that I’ll try to do this year, that I commend to you too.
- Download and have a look at the programme in advance. I have actually just done this as I write and I’ve become considerably more excited having seen who will be speaking and what they’ll be speaking on. The app is available for Android and Apple phones now. It’s probably much easier to view the programme on the app, but you can also download the pdf here.
- Bring your favourite board game. Some of my fondest memories of Word Alive are from sitting in chalets and playing board games late at night. It’s always proved a great way to form friendships through having a laugh together, and so it would be a shame if nobody brought any. I’m certainly going to bring my favourite...
- Come prepared for cold and wet weather. I’ll try and not be too much of a mother on this, but basically North Wales may well be cold and wet in April. Coats, layers, waterproof footwear and the like will likely make the week all the much more enjoyable!
- If financially viable, bring money for books. Even if you’re feeling a bit strapped for cash as a student, if you’re going to buy a Christian book in the next 12 months, I’d do it at Word Alive. The bookstall is likely to give you the best deals, the best range, and the opportunity to actually have a read through them to see whether it’s what you’re expecting. Highly recommend.
- Most importantly, arrive ready to listen to and respond to God’s Word. It’s not every week that you have the opportunity to hear God’s voice in the Bible for 5 days straight, morning and evening. And it would certainly be a shame for it to fall on deaf ears. So I’d encourage you to prayerfully ask that God would use this week powerfully in your life as you sit at His feet, humbly listening to Him.
