Refresh at Rising Lights

I love the seaside.

There is just something about standing close to the shore, looking out over the waves that helps me to unwind. Perhaps it’s because I grew up by the sea that it’s so appealing. 

But it seems I’m not the only one.

Research done by Exeter University suggests that spending time by the seaside is good for our health and wellbeing. Of course, the sea isn’t the only reason we decided to take Rising Lights to Torquay, but it’s certainly one of them!

Time in Torquay

Rising Lights will have Torbay Harbour as its base. It’s a picturesque shoreline on the south coast of England. The main meetings will take place at the Riviera International Centre which overlooks the bay. The harbour beyond is home to dozens of boats and yachts – during my planning visits to Torquay, I’ve enjoyed jogging along the pier.

All that’s to say that Torquay is a great place to relax. 

If you’re not into the seaside, there are a whole host of coffee shops and restaurants to spend time in, along with attractions for the whole family, such as the nearby Dinosaur World or crazy golf and padel tennis.

The point is – along with the great teaching and seminar programme planned for Rising Lights, there is an opportunity for rest.

Take a break from the busyness

It’s too easy in our always-on culture to forget the biblical mandate for rest. That means both resting in our Saviour, and stepping away from the busyness of life.

At home, there is always something for us to do: whether that’s in our work, our families, or our churches. That means there is great value in stepping back – even for a few days – for rest.

We’ve planned the programme so that the main sessions happen in the mornings and evenings, but the afternoons are much lighter. This is deliberate, so that you can have lots of free time to rest and relax.  

Our prayer is that Christians who come to Rising Lights will travel back to the busyness of home, work, and church refreshed. Times of rest and refreshment mean that we are better prepared to serve Jesus in the next season of life. So, we hope Rising Lights will serve you well, so that we’re best placed to serve our local church back home. 

Return home refreshed

Not everyone will find the seaside relaxing, but I hope that Rising Lights will give you space so that you travel home refreshed. Whether that refreshment comes from paddling in the sea or relaxing with a coffee in Torquay town centre, there should be something for everyone.

But that said, the best refreshment of all comes from spending time with God’s people, listening to his word, and singing his praises with thousands of others. I’ll give the wisdom of Proverbs 11:25 the final word:

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.