The Christian community in Eastbourne and across the United Kingdom is mourning the death of Pastor Robert Guanco, a respected church leader who died following a tragic incident at the Big Church Festival in West Sussex.
Pastor Guanco, 41, was attending the festival on Friday, August 28, 2026, when a large sign collapsed onto people at the event near Steyning.
He was pronounced dead following the incident, while several other festivalgoers were injured.
His death has prompted tributes from church members, Christian leaders, festival organizers and people who knew him personally.
Who Was Pastor Robert Guanco?
Pastor Robert Guanco was a church leader at Jesus Living Water Church in Eastbourne, East Sussex.
He was known within the congregation as a committed Christian, pastor, husband and father whose life centered strongly on faith, family and service.
Following his death, Jesus Living Water Church described him as a man whose dedication to God and to other people had made a lasting impression on those around him.
The church also remembered him as a loving husband to his wife, Isay, and a devoted father to their daughter, Ellie.
For members of his congregation, Robert was more than a preacher or church leader. He was someone they turned to for encouragement, prayer and spiritual guidance.
What Happened to Pastor Robert Guanco?
The fatal incident happened during the Big Church Festival at Wiston Park near Steyning, West Sussex, on August 28.
Emergency services were called after a large sign structure fell onto a group of people at the festival.
Pastor Guanco sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
Other people were also hurt. Reports said six additional individuals suffered injuries, with four requiring hospital treatment.
The incident immediately transformed what had been a weekend of Christian music, worship and fellowship into a scene of grief and emergency response.
Big Church Festival Ended Early Following Tragedy
After the incident, organizers decided to bring the 2026 Big Church Festival to an early close.
In a public statement, the festival said it was devastated by Pastor Guanco’s death and by the injuries suffered by others.
Organizers said their immediate focus was on those affected, including Pastor Guanco’s family, friends, church and people who witnessed what happened.
The decision to close the festival was made with the safety and wellbeing of attendees in mind.
For many people who had traveled to Wiston Park expecting a weekend of celebration and worship, the sudden loss cast a shadow over the entire event.
Investigation Into Big Church Festival Incident
Authorities launched an investigation to establish exactly why the sign collapsed.
Sussex Police and the Health and Safety Executive became involved, while festival organizers said they were cooperating fully with investigators.
Witnesses reported windy conditions around the time the structure came down, but investigators have not yet issued a final finding establishing the exact cause.
Officials have appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident or recorded relevant footage to assist the investigation.
Until that process is complete, conclusions about responsibility or the precise cause of the collapse remain premature.
Jesus Living Water Church Pays Tribute
Pastor Guanco’s church issued a heartfelt tribute after confirming his death.
Jesus Living Water Church described his passing as an enormous loss to both his family and the congregation.
The church remembered him for his faith, compassion and willingness to serve others, saying his influence extended to many people whose lives he touched.
For church members, his death represents the loss of a spiritual leader who had shared in significant moments of their lives.
Pastors frequently become closely involved in the personal experiences of their congregations, including celebrations, hardships, family milestones and seasons of grief.
That relationship helps explain the depth of sorrow expressed following Pastor Guanco’s death.
Robert Guanco Remembered as a Husband and Father
Beyond his work in ministry, Pastor Robert Guanco was deeply connected to his family.
His church described him as a loving husband to Isay and a caring father to Ellie.
Those family roles have featured prominently in tributes shared after his death.
While the wider Christian community has lost a pastor and spiritual leader, his wife and daughter are grieving the personal loss of a husband and father.
Church members and supporters have rallied around the family as they navigate the aftermath of the tragedy.
Fundraiser Created to Support Pastor Guanco’s Family
A fundraising campaign was established following Pastor Guanco’s death to provide financial support for his wife and daughter.
The response was substantial.
Churches Together for Eastbourne reported on September 1 that more than £150,000 had already been donated, with contributions coming from church members, festival attendees and people from the wider Christian community.
The fundraiser was organized to help the family meet practical needs while coping with the sudden loss.
The level of support reflected the widespread impact of Pastor Guanco’s death and the desire of many people to assist his family in a tangible way.
Christian Leaders Express Condolences
Pastor Guanco’s death prompted responses from Christian organizations and faith leaders beyond Eastbourne.
Churches Together in England issued a statement expressing sadness over his death and offering prayers for his family, congregation, the injured and others affected by the incident.
The organization also acknowledged the emotional impact on people who attended the festival and on those involved in organizing the event.
The tragedy resonated particularly strongly because Big Church Festival has long served as a gathering point for Christian communities from across the UK.
Pastor Robert Guanco’s Ministry in Eastbourne
Pastor Guanco served at Jesus Living Water Church in Eastbourne, which meets at the Sovereign Harbour Community Centre.
Through his ministry, he became part of the spiritual lives of numerous individuals and families in the area.
His responsibilities extended beyond preaching.
Like many local pastors, his work involved supporting people personally, offering guidance, organizing church life and strengthening relationships within the congregation.
Those forms of service often take place quietly and outside public view, but they form an important part of how local pastors influence their communities.
Community Remembers a Life of Faith and Service
The response following Pastor Guanco’s death has focused strongly on the way he lived rather than only on the circumstances in which he died.
Those closest to him have emphasized his Christian faith, his commitment to family and his willingness to serve people within his community.
His church said the influence of his faith and service would continue to be remembered by the people whose lives crossed his path.
For many members of Jesus Living Water Church, those memories include sermons, conversations, prayers and moments of personal encouragement.
Big Church Festival Community Mourns
Big Church Festival has grown into one of the UK’s largest Christian music and worship gatherings.
Thousands of attendees typically travel to the event to hear Christian artists, worship together and spend time with other believers.
The death of a pastor during such an event had a profound impact on attendees.
Festival organizers said their community was grieving and expressed particular sympathy for Pastor Guanco’s relatives, friends and church.
The organizers also thanked emergency personnel and members of the festival community who responded immediately after the incident.
Remembering Pastor Robert Guanco
Pastor Robert Guanco died at the age of 41 while attending an event centered on the faith that had played such an important role in his life.
His sudden death has left an enduring absence for his wife Isay, daughter Ellie, church congregation, friends and fellow Christian leaders.
While the circumstances of the Big Church Festival tragedy remain under official investigation, the tributes following his death offer a clear picture of how those closest to him want him remembered.
He was a husband.
He was a father.
He was a pastor.
And to members of Jesus Living Water Church, he was a trusted spiritual leader whose faith and service became part of their own lives.
Pastor Robert Guanco died on August 28, 2026, at the age of 41. His family, church and wider Christian community continue to mourn his loss while honoring the life and ministry he shared with them.