The countdown to the Big Church Poetry Slam Live Semi-Final continues, with Poetess Jess confirmed as the first judge for this year’s competition.
Returning to the judging panel, Poetess Jess brings both continuity and experience, having served as the only UK-based judge at the previous Big Church Poetry Slam Live Semi-Final in 2024, alongside internationally renowned poets Janette…ikz and Jasmine Sims. Her return marks a welcome reunion with the competition as it continues to grow as one of the UK’s leading platforms for Christian spoken word.
Taking place on Saturday 18 July at KCBC London, the Live Semi-Final will see this year’s shortlisted poets perform before a live audience and expert judging panel for the opportunity to earn a place in the Big Church Poetry Slam Grand Final at Big Church Festival this August.
Presented through a partnership between Big Church Festival, AStepFWD, POETIC UK and Urban Wordsmiths, the Poetry Slam exists to celebrate excellence in spoken word while creating opportunities for emerging Christian poets to develop their craft and share the Gospel through creativity.
Widely recognised as one of the pioneering voices in UK Christian spoken word, Poetess Jess has built a reputation for delivering performances that are both artistically captivating and spiritually impactful.
A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she combines theatrical excellence with authentic storytelling, creating poetry that challenges, encourages and inspires audiences. Drawing influence from the lyrical craftsmanship of UK grime and the power of biblical preaching, she has developed a distinctive style that has made her one of the most respected voices in the genre.
Her commitment to excellence has seen her perform on some of the country’s most prestigious stages, including the Royal Albert Hall, while also appearing at the MOBO Awards, Big Church Festival, Premier Christian Radio, BBC, TBN UK, Poets in Autumn, the AStepFWD Christian Awards, the Black Magic Awards and the Golden Lion Awards. She has also performed for global brands including Amazon and Barclays, demonstrating her ability to communicate powerful messages across both faith-based and mainstream platforms.
Beyond performance, Poetess Jess is passionate about developing the next generation of creatives. She regularly mentors emerging poets, leads workshops, partners with churches, schools and charities, and uses spoken word to inspire conversations around faith, hope, justice and identity.
Her experience as both a performer and mentor makes her an invaluable addition to this year’s judging panel, bringing thoughtful insight and encouragement to the poets competing for a place in the Grand Final.
The Big Church Poetry Slam has become far more than a competition. It is a platform where poets are encouraged to grow in confidence, sharpen their craft and communicate timeless truths through creative expression.
This year’s competition invited entrants to respond to the theme “Valley and the Mountain Top.” After an exceptional standard of video submissions, the shortlisted poets will now take to the stage to perform live before the judges, with the highest-scoring performers progressing to the Grand Final on the Spoken Word Stage at Big Church Festival.
The collaboration between Big Church Festival, AStepFWD, POETIC UK and Urban Wordsmiths reflects a shared vision to strengthen the Christian spoken word community, champion emerging voices and create lasting opportunities for poets across the UK.
EVENT DETAILS: Big Church Poetry Slam Live Semi-Final
Saturday 18 July 2026 || Venue: Kings Cross Baptist Church (KCBC) London || Doors Open: 6:00pm
Hosted by AStepFWD in partnership with Big Church Festival, POETIC UK and Urban Wordsmiths, the evening promises an inspiring showcase of creativity, faith and storytelling as this year’s shortlisted poets compete for a place on one of the UK’s biggest Christian festival stages.
