The Big Church Festival UK will not return in 2027 following the tragic death of Pastor Robert Guanco at this year’s event. Organisers announced that the festival will pause for the year and is aiming for a possible comeback in August 2028.
Guanco, 41, a pastor from Jesus the Living Water Church in Eastbourne and a healthcare assistant, died in August when a wooden arch collapsed on him during the festival at Wiston Park, near Steyning in West Sussex. The incident also injured six others, with four taken to hospital. The accident forced organisers to cancel the remainder of the 2026 festival.
In a statement released Friday, the festival’s organisers confirmed that there will be no UK festival in 2027. They thanked supporters who chose to donate the cost of their tickets rather than request refunds, saying, “Your generosity, prayers and belief in the vision mean more than we can say, and are helping give Big Church a chance at a future.”
Looking ahead, the organisers expressed hope for gathering again in August 2028, noting that the exact plan is still being worked out. They urged continued prayers for the festival’s future.
While the UK event pauses, the Big Church Festival Europe is scheduled to launch in the Netherlands from 20 to 22 August 2027. The European festival is run by a separate charity but shares the same vision of gathering Christians in unity.
Guanco’s death prompted tributes and prayers from across the Church. A fundraising effort raised nearly a quarter of a million pounds for his wife and daughter. An inquest into his death heard that he suffered “multiple severe injuries” when the arch fell on him. A pre‑inquest review is set for 9 March 2027 in Horsham.
Source: Christian Today
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