The Bishop of Lancaster, Rt Rev Dr Jill Duff appeared at a new online Christian conference this week as keynote speaker on the opening night.

Spring Harvest’s popular regular conference was due to take place in several locations this year, including Harrogate, but has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Now, in a great example of how Christians are adapting to the outbreak by using technology, a new event has been quickly pulled together - 'Spring Harvest Home'. 

It is entirely free via YouTube; go to www.youtube.com and search 'Spring Harvest'. More on the Spring Harvest website and via this video. 

Broadcasting from April 13-17 and with the theme of 'Unleashed - the Acts Church Today' there is live worship, specialist seminars, workshops and key speakers - including Bishop Jill.

• Watch Bishop Jill here and read the text here. 

Bishop Jill said: “I am so encouraged that Spring Harvest are giving freely of their resources and having courage to try this new approach to a Christian conference.

“We were expecting around 3000 people at the ‘real event’, but I am hoping many more will tune in online to taste and see. Throughout Christian history, there have been key step changes in the spread of the Gospel during a shift to new technology.

“I’m so thrilled that churches across Lancashire are trying out live feed Sunday and weekday services on Facebook or YouTube and meeting each other in other ways such as by Zoom.

“The Risen Jesus brought His peace to fearful disciples at a time of lockdown. I am praying that many will meet Him through these new ways of being Church."

Ronnie Semley
06/04/2020