What better way to end my summer than attending Forum 2024! It was an exhilarating five days of Bible teaching, fellowship and camping with brothers and sisters in Christ.
Filled to the brim with God's grace
In fact, I was nearly unable to make it to Forum on time - I marginally missed my flight back to London the day before, and was put on the waiting list for an overbooked flight in the hope that I could get back to the UK as early as possible, and board my booked train to Forum as scheduled (especially as all the other trains were apparently fully booked!) After much prayer, I managed to fly out the same day and land just 20 hours before setting off again, and eventually everything was in order. This made the trip extra special to me as God had blessed it even before it started, and that was how I knew that the following days would be nothing but filled to the brim with God’s grace. Needless to say, I was not disappointed at all (well, perhaps except for the pouring rain on the first day which led to all my clothes being soaked...)
I would describe Forum as a Christian festival and celebration rather than a typical Bible camp - I say that not just because of the DJs getting everyone on their feet dancing before each main meeting or the on-site food vans which you would typically see at large-scale open-air events, but because you could see and feel that everyone present was excited and passionate for the Lord 24/7! And all of us were eager to pass on this burning flame for Christ to our own respective CUs after Forum, where we received a lot of useful teaching and advice for mission and evangelism on campus, alongside personal spiritual growth.
Meeting other Christian musicians
Seminars hosted by the Music Network also encouraged me to integrate my faith into my work even more - not just in the context of music in worship, but rather, incorporating worship (in its wider, theological sense) into music. It was also a valuable opportunity for me to meet other Christian musicians from across the country (and realise that there is, after all, a greater world outside of London).
Forum was also a great chance to bounce ideas around with others. For example, it was where some of us from the London music college CUs formed the idea of having a joint picnic during Freshers’ Week - and praise the Lord for an amazing turnout in the end!
To sum up
At the end of the week I left feeling ever so energised and hyped for the upcoming year of work and fellowship in the CU. Despite not being an avid camper by all means (the last time I slept in a tent was 8 years ago), the benefits of Forum outweighed my fear of camping; and I believe that if I, a 100% city gal, could drop everything and go to Forum immediately after a 20-hour layover, everyone can.
5/5 - would recommend!
