Trustees of popular annual Bible-teaching event Word Alive are racing to secure its future from 2025 onwards after the shock closure of their venue.
Pontins announced their Prestatyn Holiday Park was closing with immediate effect at the end of November. Word Alive has used the site since 2012, and was preparing for 2024.
A statement from Nigel Beynon, Word Alive director, said: ‘Whilst a shock, we know this hasn’t taken the Lord by surprise. Over the last few days we’ve called the Word Alive trustees to pray together, and have been researching other sites. We’re delighted that Word Alive has proved so popular and appreciated, but it means we’re looking for a venue that can take around 4,500+ which narrows down our options. The Word Alive trustees have decided there is no viable site at this short notice and so, very sorrowfully, Word Alive 2024 is not going to take place.
‘Word Alive has reclaimed its deposit from Pontins and will be making a full refund to its guests, along with an apology that we have been unable to deliver the event we had been planning. The trustees and team remain committed to the vision of Word Alive; a generous Bible-centred event which serves the local church by providing teaching, training, children and youth work, and a large student track. We are now actively looking for an alternative venue where we can secure a long-term future for Word Alive, starting in 2025.’
