Following Jesus together: Paradise in the City'16Rev Tim Watson - 24 May 2016

“Ever wondered what the world church looks like? Well, here’s your chance to see it with your own eyes…”

When I was 26, I had an experience of the world church which totally changed my life...

It was a massive international festival in Paris called World Youth Day. Hundreds of thousands of young Christians from all 6 continents gathered for an incredible time of teaching, prayer, and celebration.

We had amazing times of praise and worship, and late-night prayer vigils in the garden of a French chateau. We heard talks in a giant circus tent from extraordinary Christian witnesses like Jean Vanier, founder of the L’Arche Community. We did huge shows in the streets of Paris with a theatre group and 300-strong gospel choir. There was a closing service - a Catholic mass with the Pope - at a racecourse that attracted well over a million people.

I’d never seen anything like it.

Although as a Christian I believed I was linked through the Holy Spirit with people all over the world, it was quite something else to actually experience it for real in Paris.

As an Anglican brought up on a little island, I had the joy of discovering how much I shared with all my brothers and sisters from so many different countries and churches.

I felt the joy of the Gospel; the joy of being filled with the Holy Spirit; the joy of being called to follow Jesus, together.

Although World Youth Day is organised by the Roman Catholic Church, I was invited to go along by the Chemin Neuf Community; a religious community with a massive heart for the unity of the Church and a desire to bring Christians together for prayer, reconciliation and mission.

As a result of what happened to me in Paris, I felt a call to follow Jesus with Chemin Neuf. Now, 20 years later I’m still on that journey and I can truly say that my life has never been the same.

And this summer, it’s your chance to have the same experience.

World Youth Day 2016 is taking place in Krakow, so Chemin Neuf is running an international festival in Poland from 19-25 July called Paradise in the City.

There’ll be speakers including Pete Greig, Archbishop Justin Welby, Cardinal Tagle from Manila, and an amazing programme of prayer, worship, teaching and sports. There’s also the chance to stay on and spend a week with Pope Francis and a million young Christians from all around the world.

Ever wondered what the world church looks like? well, here’s your chance to see it with your own eyes.

And if you need more persuading, check out this message from the archbishop of canterbury Himself:

Get involved with World Youth Day

UK: Chemin Neuf is organising a coach from London to Paradise in the City, leaving Monday 18 July, returning Tuesday 26 July.

The all-inclusive cost (travel, food, accommodation and Festival) is £550 unwaged, £580 waged. Chemin Neuf have a number of £200 bursaries to help people attend. If you're interested, email Tim. 

International: Get all the information and book your ticket on the Paradise in the City website.

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