Britain’s biggest annual Christian festival has been cancelled just hours into the event after a large wooden sign toppled onto a group of festival-goers, tragically killing a local pastor and injuring several others.
It happened around 3:30pm on Friday (August 28), the opening day of the three-day Big Church Festival near Steyning in West Sussex.
During the initial chaos and confusion, the event was paused, but at 10:30pm, it was cancelled out of respect for 41-year-old Eastbourne pastor Robert Guanco from Jesus the Living Water Church.
At least 35,000 people had booked to attend the event which was set to feature many of the biggest names in Christian music.
What Happened
Londoner Fred Abbott told the Daily Mail that a “strong gust of wind” toppled the sign including a metal beam as he and his family were nearby.
“We heard this massive crack and bang, and me and my friend ran over.”
“There were around 30 to 50 people picking up this sign. It read: Everything’s Unmissable.”
Theologian and author Andy Ollerton was walking “just a few paces” behind “when the huge overhead sign came crashing down on the people in front of us”.
“We rushed with others to lift the sign off them and then administered first aid with others as best we could until the paramedics arrived, but tragically, one of those people, we’ve now heard, lost his life.”
Tributes For Pastor
Pastor Robert Guanco died at the scene.
Jesus the Living Water Church Eastbourne announced his passing on social media, describing him as “a faithful servant of God.”
“We are mourning, grieving, praying, and trusting in the Lord during this incredibly difficult time,” the church said.
“Pastor Robert was a loving husband to Isay; a devoted and caring father to Ellie; and a blessing to so many people whose lives he touched.”
“His life, his faith, his love, and his service to God will never be forgotten.”
“An Unimaginable Tragedy”
Pastor Norman Ponce, from Jesus the Living Water World Wide Church, said the incident was an “unimaginable tragedy”.
“His life reflected humility, faith, love, compassion, and service.”
“Through his ministry, kindness, prayers, and encouragement, he touched many lives.”
“His passing is deeply felt by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Generous Donations For Victim
“Today, his family — his wife, daughter, parents, siblings, and loved ones — are facing an unimaginable loss,” Pastor Ponce continued.
Alongside the deep grief of losing a husband, father, son, and brother, they are also facing the practical and financial challenges that come with such an unexpected tragedy.”
A GoFundMe appeal has already raised around A$300,000 for Pastor Robert.
“Heartbroken And Devastated”
Organisers of the event stated they were “heartbroken and devastated by the serious incident”.
Immediately after the accident, God TV suspended its livestream, saying that “due to circumstances beyond our control, the show has been paused”.
It never resumed.
In a statement the Festival said: “First and foremost, all of our thoughts are with those who have been affected, their families and friends, and everyone who witnessed what happened.”
Following today’s incident, we have made the decision to bring Big Church Festival 2026 to a close.”
Big Church Festival was founded in 2009 by Tim Jupp, a former keyboard player with the English Christian rock band Delirious?.
It began as a single-day event, Big Church Day Out, and has grown into the UK’s largest annual Christian music festival.
Windy Weather Appears To Be A Factor
The investigation into the causes of the collapse is continuing.
The Met Office had issued a yellow warning for heavy showers, thunderstorms and strong winds, which the service said could cause travel disruption and flooding.
The forecaster said that most of England and Wales was covered by the warning, which was in place from midday until 9pm on Friday.
According to the Met Office’s UK weather map, wind speeds of up to 45 kilometres per hour were recorded in nearby Shoreham on Friday afternoon.
The Big Names Who Never Performed
Most of the biggest names in Christian music never made it onto the Big Church stage.
They included Lauren Daigle, CeCe Winans, for King & Country, Anne Wilson, Elevation Rhythm, Rend Collective, Lecrae, Matthew West and Seph Schlueter.
LA-based Down Under artist Brooke Ligertwood (formerly Fraser) posted:
“Leaving this special place with a heavy heart today.”
“A terribly sad conclusion to what has been the most brilliant, inspiring fortnight in the UK.”
“Praying for those involved in the accident yesterday and their families, for those who were present and now processing what they experienced and praying also for the @bigchurchfest team.”
“God be with you.”
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