New Wine is bubbling over as festival-goers across the country replenish their spirits for another year of Christian witness.  

People have been making the pilgrimage to the summer festivals for the past 19 years, and the gatherings are growing in diversity as well as number.

A show of hands at evening worship at El Rancho in Waikanae reveals a strong contingent of veteran festival-goers who were at the first festival in Taupo.

Fifty-six festivals later, numbers have grown from 230 to 1300 at this year's Waikanae gathering – the largest ever.

Last week’s gathering at Warkworth also exceeded estimates, necessitating a move to the larger venue of Mahurangi College.

The leader of New Wine, Lydia Read, says there has been a richness of denominations at this year’s festivals.

“I’m a 17-year veteran of New Wine and this year at Warkworth and Waikanae festivals 200 churches are represented from 17 denominations. That has to impact on our nation.”

New Wine activities range from quiet prayer to movies, a local brewery tour, a mini-marriage course, and coffee at the market place.

The coffee comes courtesy of young baristas gaining experience to secure a fulltime job.

There’s also the opportunity for counselling. Aaron Ironside, leader of Harvest Christian Voice and voice of Radio Rhema, is providing counseling sessions.

He says the festival gives people a fresh view for the year.

“Coming together like this is a reminder of what we share together through Christ, and we take that expression of love back to our communities.”

Judging from feedback at Waikanae, next year’s festival is already on the calendar.