Test of FAITH: Live! will be stopping off in Calderdale at the end of the month to bring an exciting twist to the science vs religion debate for young people across Halifax.
The event will take place on the 26th October and will feature music from Chip Kendall and DJ Galactus Jack, live science experiments, a talk from a scientist (who is also a Christian) and will host a question and answer session.
The project has been running for nearly three years and, though the road show usually stops off in Secondary Schools, it will be the first time Test of FAITH: Live! has visited Calderdale and it's New Beginnings Christian Centre.
Chip Kendall, singer/host for Test of FAITH: Live!, says, “If the young people in Calderdale are anything like young people all over the rest of the country (and beyond), then they'll find it engaging, inspiring, challenging, thought provoking, and a really fun way to explore their own beliefs as well as hearing some brilliant illustrations from someone who is both a professional scientist and a Christian.
“I know I'm slightly biased, but the music is awesome too!”
Norman McDonnell, Christ Church Christian Youth Leader, says, “I originally tried to bring the Test of FAITH: Live! road show to Christ Church, Pellon, and actually paid the deposit two years ago, but then I had to cancel.
“I wanted to bring the show to the attention of the young people of Calderdale because the most frequent debates amongst the leaders and members of our Christian youth Group, SharX, at that time and to this day revolved around a science vs Christianity discussion and the road show aims to show how Christianity and science work hand in hand and includes a question and answer session.
“It is brought to us in an energetic age relevant format designed to engage with an audience comprising of inquisitive young people.”
The road show was set up when Chip approached Test of FAITH (an organisation providing a series of introductory resources on science and Christianity for adults and young people) about going into schools to help young people engage with the science vs religion debate.
Chip Kendall says, “Many people would say that the science vs religion debate has become so popular because of the rise of new atheism and increased media attention to people like Richard Dawkins. But I think that's only partly true.
“People have always been interested in exploring these issues and engaging this debate.
“There's a fantastic quote from Ard Louis in the Test of FAITH film, where he says, ‘Many of us live these un-examined lives... What the science and religion debate does is help us to ask, 'Why do I do what I do? Why do I believe something is true or not true? Is it because I was just brought up that way, or is it because I've really thought about these issues carefully and objectively?’.”
Test of FAITH: LIVE! urges young people to get directly involved in this debate by encouraging them to ask questions and actively explore the relationship between science and religion.
The event will be hosted by Chip (left) who is a singer/songwriter and has performed all over the world.
He has published 13 books which aim to connect young people with the Bible and he currently serves as the Creative Arts Pastors of !Audacious Church in Manchester while regularly appearing as a youth presenter on GodTV and Cross Rhythms radio.
The entertaining evening will conclude Ignite Halifax 2015, a weekend Youth Conference set to host around 60 young people which aims ‘to strengthen and develop…relationship[s] with God in a relaxed and informal environment’.
The Conference is the first of its kind to be held in Calderdale and is the brainchild of Peter Kemp, Youth Pastor at the New Beginnings Christian Centre where the Conference will be held.
Peter says, “As the co-ordinator of the Ignite Youth Conference 2015 I can confirm that we plan to have an annual event and this conference is just the first step.
“I have a real passion to see young people have a relationship with Jesus and there is such a need in our area - there are 138 churches in Calderdale and only six have youth groups and most of the youngsters don’t attend church.
“God gave me a vision to have a weekend conference at our Church in Halifax which is the New Beginnings Christian Centre. We are very blessed that the church took over a school building approximately 18 months ago which has all the facilities you need for a conference.
“There will be approximately 60 youngsters sleeping over for the whole weekend and we are offering day passes at £15 for Saturday and Sunday. We have some fabulous musicians from Nashville USA and guest speakers. Chip Kendall will close the conference on the Monday Night.”
Norman McDonnell says, “We all share the same goal which is to ensure that we spread the Word to as many young people as possible and we are always seeking the best possible ways to engage them in Christian discussion.
“Peter Kemp realised there was a need to set up a local event that would offer a better chance of spending quality time with the youth of Halifax and beyond based on fun, friendship and most important of all The Word!
“This is the first year of what we hope will become a regular event and although it is the brain child of Peter he has been very open to suggestions from YFC Calderdale and SharX.
“At the moment I have seven SharX members and three youth leaders from Christ Church who will be attending the full Conference but I am also encouraging all other SharX members (approx 25) to attend the Test of Faith conclusion to the weekend.”
Test of FAITH: Live! will be stopping off at New Beginnings Christian Centre, Halifax, on Monday 26th October at 6:45pm.
To buy a ticket for the event, please contact Sharon on: 07871910300; or email: styler288@gmail.com
YFC Calderdale are charging those not attending the Ignite Halifax Conference £3 for advance tickets or £5 on the door.
Norman McDonnell mentions, “We always do our best to ensure that any events we (SharX and YFC) are involved in are available to all irrespective of cost and if anybody is unable to attend due to financial reasons we are always ready to provide free entry in the strictest confidence.”
For more information on Ignite Halifax 2015, please visit their website here: http://www.igniteyouthconference.co.uk/#!festival/cjg9
The full clip containing Ard Louis’ quote on the science vs religion debate can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eNxkzvYKnA
Or at: www.testoffaith.com