The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) is launching a new Eastertime gathering, after popular Christian festival Word Alive shut down last year.
Rising Lights will take place from 6–10 April 2026 in the Devon town of Torquay, and is described as a chance to “hear God’s word, to praise our risen Saviour, and to rest.”
FIEC National Director John Stevens told en: “We have only decided to organise Rising Lights because Word Alive sadly decided to close, meaning that there was no comparable Easter event for our churches. So, this is a new event organised by FIEC which we hope will serve British evangelicalism more widely. It’s open to all Christians to come and join with us.”
Detailing why the name “Rising Lights” was chosen, Stevens said: “The Bible teaches us that Christians are to shine like stars in the sky as they hold firmly to the word of life (Phil. 2:14-16). Our prayer is that Rising Lights encourages believers to live like that in our culture as they keep their eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, the true Light.”
Paul Mallard will be the main speaker in the event’s Bible readings, opening up the book of Philippians, while the evenings will consist of looking at the life of Moses. Youth and children’s work will be in partnership with Growing Young Disciples.
The event will be hosted at the Riveria International Centre in Torquay, where the FIEC Leaders’ Conference has been held for the last three years. “We have had help and support from members of local churches in the town. We are trying to achieve a blend of venue size and affordability with convenience of attendance,” Stevens added.
The FIEC urges guests to book early as spaces are limited. Booking is open from 28 April: risinglights.co.uk
