WelCom March 2024

Nick Wilson

Another Christian Summer event for young people that took place in the Waikato, was the Festival One Christian Music Festival, 26–29 January, staged in Karapiro, just out of Cambridge.

Festival One, formerly known as Parachute Christian Music Festival and celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, showcases music, art and community.

The Palmerston North Diocese Young Church office organised a group from Hastings and Palmerston North to attend, with the aim of exciting our young musicians into using their musical talents for service in the Church.

Our ‘Palmy’ group stopped off on the way at the Tangiwai Disaster Memorial in the Central North Island, to pray for those who perished in that event 70 years ago.

After reaching Narrows Park Christian Camp, located near the festival site, we had a team building exercise to make sure we could get our tents up and down in quick order. We then took off and hit the festival. It looked like one big tent city; and it was hot – but better than last year when a cyclone came through while we were in the tents on the first festival night!

Several different stages were set up at the festival with different Christian artists from around New Zealand and overseas performing at what is biggest Christian music festival in the country.

One of the highlights is seeing all the different Christian ministries that folks can get involved with and support. Another highpoint is when the festival barbecue experts fire up several massive Argentinian BBQs and cook for 5000 festival goers – to give an idea of what it might have looked like when Jesus fed the 5000, as in Matt 14:13-21.

A great aspect of this festival is how it shows our young people they too can be Christian music artists, with the opportunity for new Christian bands to get a start. Some of those bands have gone on to be headline acts here and away.

We look forward to the inspiration of the Spirit compelling these young people to share their gifts and talents in their schools and parishes. We certainly encourage folks to attend this family-safe festival for a great experience of music, faith, friends and fun!

Nick Wilson is the Diocese of Palmerston North’s Young Catholics Team Leader and Manawatū Catholic Tertiary Chaplain.

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