The Wades and Tony Loeffler confirmed to play Cross Rhythms SW

THE FIFTH Cross Rhythms festival entitled 'A Table In The Wilderness' has announced several important additions to its programme. These include R&B gospel team the Wades (whose recent album debut topped the Christian music charts in Britain) and American rock fusion band Tony Loeffler And The Blue Angels who were featured in the last issue of Cross Rhythms and whose prison ministry saw over 10,000 inmates come to Christ in a three year period.

Other artists now confirmed to play the event due to be held in Okehampton, Devon on 7th, 8th and 9th July are: Chris Eaton, whose new album 'Everlasting Love' was the critics Pick Of The Pile in the last Cross Rhythms; Sue Rinaldi who, since her departure from Heartbeat, has established herself as a major ministry in CCM, worship and sanctified dance; and new roots pop team Two Small Fish. They join a bill which includes Margaret Becker, Eden Burning, Stephen Bennett, Wayne Drain And Springwood, Funky Beehive, Helen Jayne, Split Level and over 20 other Mega Tent acts as well as a crowded programme in the Showcase Tents and the fringe.

In the seminar and ministry programme at Cross Rhythms '95 there is a strong international presence with Louis Els and Dave Ornellis from South Africa and Tom Brock from Hawaii joining Tony Fitzgerald and team from the USA. Among the other seminar speakers are author Mike Starkey whose book on Christian attitudes to fashion 'Fashion And Style' is published by Monarch Books in June; Christian music authority Jan Willem Vink from Belgium and Jill Drake, author of the best selling book 'Rape'. Despite previous announcements John Smith will not now be contributing to this year's event. Said chief executive of Cross Rhythms Chris Cole, "We are naturally very disappointed that after a long he's coming-he's not-he's coming scenario John's schedule in Australia finally made it impossible to come to be with us at the event. We hope to present a tape message from John at the festival that he'll make specifically for Cross Rhythms '95." Commenting on the potential ministry at this year's event Cole said, "There really is an extraordinary potential for a powerful work of God at 'A Table In The Wilderness'. By the grace of God some of the most powerful men in today's Church have found a call in their hearts to come to Devon and minister to us. I fully expect it to be an extraordinary, life-changing event."

Other significant elements in this year's Cross Rhythms are the Arts and Drama programme, which, as last year, will be put together by CMA. The two-day programme promises to be "a colourful montage of acts and drama experiences -from presentation to participation, with poetry, mime, an art gallery, paper mache making, theatre and much more."