Enjoy a close encounter of the family kind

Enjoy a close encounter of the family kind

The whole family – grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins – can enjoy a week of worship, family activities and outdoor adventure on the North Devon coastline this summer.

From August 16 to 22 2025, Encounter!takes place in the 300-acre Lee Abbey estate, a joint effort between the popular conference retreat centre and the Bible Society.

With a wide-ranging choice of activities for all ages, the week had its trial run last year when one participant said: ‘The speakers were excellent and the teaching very on-point for me! Our children loved their group activities.’

Lee Abbey’s Mark Scyner told CRE News about the centre’s long-term vision. ‘After five years, there will be people camping all around the place,’ he said, ‘with everyone converging on the field for times of worship.’

Warden Gordon Crowther explained: ‘The hope is that it will be about encountering Jesus and making it possible for people of many stages and backgrounds of life, including those who don’t come from a particular church background, to find a festival environment more informal and hospitable.

‘The Encounter week will provide a wide range of activities, worship times, and teaching sessions for all ages with accommodation provided in the estate centre’s historic house and activity centre. Eventually it will also provide space for self-catering tented accommodation but this August the concentration will be on getting together a series of activities, study sessions and big tent worship to bless young and old.’

• Lee Abbey will be on stand F7 at CRE 25

Photo: Lee Abbey: venue for Encounter!

CRE 2025

See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
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