Chaplains provide support and ministry at Download music festival

A team of 45 chaplains from various denominations, including the Church of England and the Baptist Union of Great Britain, provided support to attendees at this year’s Download music festival. The event, which draws up to 90,000 rock and heavy metal fans, has hosted regular chaplaincy teams for the past six years.

Rev. Roy Monks of the Baptist Castle Donnington Community Church noted that the team assists festival-goers with practical needs, such as navigation and medical support, while also engaging in spiritual conversations. The chaplains hosted a communion service and offered prayer throughout the event. According to Rev. Monks, the team encountered individuals seeking spiritual guidance, including two attendees who returned to the festival this year to share that they had joined a church and been baptized following interactions with the chaplains last year.

Following their work at the festival, the chaplaincy team is planning to expand their outreach to a series of raves in Derby. Organizers expressed that they believe these opportunities represent a door opened for ministry to those searching for spiritual meaning.