A festival by Cross Rhythms is to target non-Christians

THE 10TH annual Cross Rhythms festival, Genesis 2000: New Beginnings will have a special new emphasis to attract non-Christian visitors. Tickets for the event, due to be held in Okehampton, Devon, on 21st to 23rd July, and featuring a wide array of musicians and speakers including worship leader Noel Richards and his band; girl pop team Tomorrow's Girl; and ex-Triad gangster Johnny Li, are to be offered free to Christian youth groups buying tickets to the festival. Under the scheme, youth groups buying five weekend tickets will be given two free tickets for their non-Christian friends while those buying 10 weekend tickets will be given five free tickets for use by non-Christians.

Explained the festival's administrator Jonathan Bellamy, "One spiritual change we have recognised as a ministry is the leading to become more evangelistic. Along with the developing Cross Rhythms and UCB Europe Christian radio stations, which in due course should win the freedom to broadcast terrestrially, we are aware that evangelism will be an integral part of the Cross Rhythms ministry. As such we want to begin opening up and encouraging this dimension at the summer festival. Another change is to give more profile to women ministering. Men and women working together in unity is a true expression of God's character"

Other contributors so far booked for Genesis 2000: New Beginnings are hard rock experimentalists Fire Fly; R&B gospel diva Val Morgan; Australian rock gospel prophet David Evans (who'll be flying in with his own band); Hawaii Bible teacher Tom and Suzie Brock; Cross Rhythms pioneers Chris & Kerry Cole, dance outfit One Lite; Australian Bible teacher leader Tony Fitzgerald; zany Scottish humourists Rodd and Marco; American drama group NLDC; and Newcastle rock praise team Yfriday.