Monthly Archive July 2018

ByCRE

Richmond offer ‘perfect space’ for holiday fun and relaxation

Space to relax, explore your faith and invest in friendships – that’s the thinking behind Richmond Christian Holidays, exhibitors at CRE 2018. 

‘When God speaks to Moses in Exodus 33:14, he reminds us: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest”. What a joy it is that our heavenly father loves to be with us in relationship and in rest!’ said Richmond Holidays’ Verity McKay.

Richmond offer winter holidays in the French Alps and summer holidays on the Island of Samos and the French Alps.  

‘At Richmond, we believe that a time away of fun and relaxation offers the perfect space to grow deeper with our awesome God in the setting of His beautiful creation! Our times of ministry throughout the holiday are fashioned to give you time to just “be still and know” as the psalmist suggests.

‘Whether you, your family members or friends are looking for adventure or seeking rest, we will tell you more about our holidays at CRE this autumn.’ 

Richmond Christian Holidays are on Stand S63 at CRE 2018

ByCRE

Dare to disciple – and see your church grow

Our commission is to make disciples, not church attenders.

That will be Rev Cris Rogers’ message at CRE 2018.

‘It is vital we help churches activate a thriving discipleship culture,’ said Cris, rector of All Hallows in Bow, east London. ‘Some of us struggle with the term “discipleship” and use “spiritual formation”. I will look at the differences between the evangelical understanding of discipleship and the more Catholic understanding of spiritual formation. Neither deliver biblical discipleship on their own but when the two merge we get a biblical picture of Jesus’ understanding of discipleship and formation.’

Developed by Cris, Making Disciples is an assessment tool to help churches, small groups and individuals interested in developing as disciples of Jesus. Churches developing a discipleship action plan have found people serving in and outside the church has gone up, financial giving has risen and disciplines of personal daily prayer have grown.

‘I will also look at how the modern school system has killed how we do discipleship within the church because our education is teaching rather than apprenticeship based,’ said Cris. ‘I will also look at the way we need to grow leaders, another important part of building a discipleship culture.’

Cris took on the leadership of an Anglican Church in Tower Hamlets, one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse areas of London. The church had shrunk to seven people before his arrival. He is also part of the Spring Harvest planning group.

Rev Cris Rogers will speak on ‘Making Disciples’ at CRE 2018 (12 pm, Wed 17 Oct)

ByCRE

Dan’s mission of mercy is right on the ball

World record-breaking football freestyler Dan Magness will perform his phenomenal tricks at October’s CRE 2018 encouraging churches to ‘make history’ with their own creative and sporting flair.
 
Dan kept a football in the air in Covent Garden for an astonishing 24 hours – making him the Guinness World Keepy-Uppy Champion. He also set the world record for the longest-ever recorded journey while continuously kicking or heading a ball, keeping the ball in the air for a staggering 36 miles, visiting every Premier League football club in London. 
 
He became a Christian at 3am outside a Southend nightclub.

‘I was with a couple of mates and must confess I was full of another kind of spirit,’ he said. ‘We saw some street pastors talking to clubbers and I thought “I want to go and talk to them”. Minutes later, they were telling me about Jesus. Now I use my talent to praise his name.’
 
Dan is appearing at CRE in support of Mercy Ships, who are challenging churches to make history, by taking on one of three sporty or creative #MercyActs challenges.
  
Darren Richards, Church Partnership Manager at Mercy Ships, added: ‘Mercy Ships has launched a brand new set of resources that call on UK churches to use their talents and skills to help send free medical care to some of the poorest people in the world. The church is a treasure trove of talent. Imagine what could happen if everyone took something they loved doing – their hobbies and sporting passions – and then used that to help the poor in Africa?

‘Imagine if kids sang, teens vlogged, students shone on stage, parents picked up a paintbrush and grandma shimmied across a ballroom. Those who can’t draw or dance, can write or arrange flowers. Those who can’t cycle can swap clothes or bake. Everyone can do something! Everyone can love mercy, act justly and walk humbly by taking on a #MercyActs challenge.’
 
Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries. Today, Mercy Ships is a faith-based international development organisation with a creative solution to poverty – the world’s largest floating hospital, crewed entirely by volunteers. Their hospital ships serve some of the poorest countries in the world, delivering vital, free healthcare to people in desperate need.

Mercy Ships are on Stand S151 at CRE 2018

ByCRE

Football’s coming home – to a church near you

As World Cup fever grips the nation, Christians in Sport have told us of several churches showing the matches on big screens.

Before the little maestro had to fly home with the rest of the Argentinian squad, one church in Yeovil ran a ‘Messi Church’. Meanwhile, Town Church, Bicester (pictured), hosted a World Cup Sunday with five-a-side football tournament and BBQ. They shared a short gospel message before showing England v. Panama on a big screen. Town Church’s Jonny Reid, said: ‘It was great to welcome loads of people who wouldn’t normally think about coming to church and it gave them a chance to hear more about Jesus.’

It’s not too late to download a series of free World Cup resources in Christians in Sport’s Mission Pack that features a new multimedia World Cup quiz, an evangelistic short film, a guide to creating a ‘fan zone’ and a collection of school resources. The pack has already been downloaded more than 900 times.

‘While the World Cup is dominating the headlines at the moment, it only comes along every four years,’ said Christians in Sport’s Ed Mezzetti. ‘Let’s not see it as a one-off. Would Wimbledon tennis or the Ryder Cup golf work better for your church? We need to keep sport and big sporting events on the radar if we are to reach millions of people in this “nation” of sports lovers.’

Christians In Sport are on Stand A36 at CRE North (13/14 Mar 2019)