CHRISTIANS were told to be bold about their faith as they gathered in Oxford to celebrate their religion.

The sixth annual Love Oxford festival at the weekend featured discussions, music, children’s activities and prayer.

Thousands of people flocked to the event, which was themed on the Oscar-winning film The King’s Speech.

In the film, King George VI – played by Colin Firth – enlists the help of an Australian speech therapist to conquer his stammer.

The organisers of Love Oxford hoped their event would help Christians find their voice to spread the word of God.

Joanna Braithwaite, the St Aldate’s Church administrator for Love Oxford, said: “It’s about not stammering but actually taking hold of the word of God and actually having the boldness to speak out.”

She said the word of God was the answer to problems in the world, including the financial crisis at home and political unrest elsewhere.

But she said the event was also about bringing Christians from across the county together in one place.

She said: “For those of us in the church community, it is a once-a-year opportunity to see something much bigger than each of our churches.”

Kath Jackson, 37, of Barton, said: “I’ve been every year for this event – even when it was pouring down two years ago.

“It’s just great to see all the churches coming together and putting any differences aside to unite and pray for our community.”

She was with her daughter, Ella, seven, who danced at the start of yesterday’s festivities in South Park.

Ella said: “Dancing on the stage was my favourite thing. I like dancing.”

Anna-Marie Strachan, 34, of Cowley, said: “It’s fantastic for people that love the Lord to get together. There’s an amazing vibe here.”

Mark Tariq, 29, of St Clement’s, said: “It’s lovely being outdoors – it reminds me of an early Christian experience of fellowship.”

Marion Bloice-Smith, 59, of Barton, said: “I know that if people start to love Jesus, they can change their lives – and this facilitates that.”

On Saturday, Oxford mathematics professor John Lennox discussed whether science had disproved God, while children enjoyed bouncy castles, climbing walls, juggling and face-painting in South Park.

Yesterday featured a morning service, led by pastors from across the county, and a discussion of Christianity in politics, with MPs Nicola Blackwood and Gavin Shuler.

One of the speakers, pastor Dupe Adefala, of Word Fountain Christian Ministries, Cowley, said: “This is wonderful.

“The diversity of attendants, not just by nationality but by age, is fantastic.

“There’s music, there’s the Word, there’s prayer. There’s everything.”