40 up! Open Bible Trust look forward to next chapter
The Open Bible Trust will hold a service of thanksgiving next week to celebrate 40 years in operation (2pm, Sat 13 July, St Stephen’s Church, Upper Basildon, Reading, RG8 8LS).
It was early in 1984 that eight friends, who had met on Christian holidays, shared their concern at the decline in bible study in churches – and lack of accessible resources.
‘There were plenty of good daily reading notes and many excellent deeper commentaries, but there seemed few resources for that intermediate level,’ explained Michael Penny (above), one of the eight. The friends decided to do something about it and the Open Bible Trust was born. In April 1984 the first issue of Search magazine came out, to be followed two months later by the second edition, accompanied by a bible study booklet – a pattern which has continued for 40 years.
Penny was the trust’s first administrator and editor before moving to the USA in 1991 to pastor a church, where he set up a sister organisation to work with the OBT. He returned to the UK in 1999 and in 2007 took up the reigns of administrator and editor once again.
‘It has been a great 40 years,’ he said, ‘and we have so much to thank the Lord for. St Stephen’s is a lovely church set in the countryside of West Berkshire, an area of outstanding natural beauty, and there is plenty of parking. Everyone is welcome.’
Michael pointed out that, as well as publishing the bi-monthly magazine and booklets, there have also been extra booklets and books – so much so that the trust now has more than 400 publications, all available in print and as eBooks.
‘Thanks to companies like Amazon and Apple, these are available is many countries of the world,’ he added.
From bible studies on videos and then DVDs, OBT now produce material on YouTube, with more than 320 videos currently available. Studies once on cassettes and then CDs are now on the OBT podcast channel.
‘One of our best series is six podcasts on Exploring Ecclesiastes,’ said Penny. ‘An Old Testament book so relevant to the affluent 21st century!’
What of the next 40 years?
‘Only the Lord knows,’ said Penny. ‘I won’t be around for all of it!’
• The Open Bible Trust are on stand A21 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Let your phone be your guide
Visitors to two churches in Oxfordshire can now benefit from a digital guide to the buildings and ministries.
The first Info Point system installed in the diocese is at St Mary the Virgin in Great Milton. A tour of the building can be streamed on a mobile phone and includes details of the recently restored and significant 17th century Dormer Monument and an unusual church organ in the vicar’s stall.
Great Milton’s neighbouring church, St Peter’s in Great Haseley, Oxfordshire, loved the idea and held a launch event in April to reveal their interactive, 10-stop church tour.
Simon Cronk, Rector of Great Milton, Little Milton and Great Haseley, said: ‘Our Info Point is just the first step in our church eventually getting more in tune with the expectations of the 21st century. We already have an excellent guide book but we can now compare favourably with some of the country’s well-visited places for innovative interpretation. This will be appreciated by the local residents as well as our visitors.’
St Michael’s and All Angels Church in Kingsland will be the third Herefordshire church to install an Info Point (with a further three more to follow later this year). The Info Point includes a church tour with behind the scene videos of bellringers and the organist, plus a fun children’s trail with quizzes, puzzles and a word search.
Dan Boys, MD of Derbyshire-based Info Point, said that the system is the ideal way for a church to help people understand important features of a church as well as providing fun activities for children – all of which do not require the church to have personnel on duty. There is also a solar-powered version available.
• Info Point are on stand P18 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Your event: off to a great start with Genesis
Energetic visitors to this year’s Spring Harvest availed themselves of neon green sweatbands bearing the legend Big Start Boot Camp – 5000 of which were produced by CRE 24 exhibitor Genesis UK.
Now one of the UK’s leading producers of personalised items, the company originally sold surfboards in Tywyn on the mid-Wales coast before printing while-you-wait t-shirts in 1975. It is now one of the UK’s most experienced wholesalers of printed and embroidered garments, providing a massive range of tee shirt styles, hoodies, polo shirts (available also in Fairtrade and organic cotton), plus clothing for work, sport and catering.
‘We are always looking for innovative products to give customers the best available,’ said managing director Wayne Griffith. ‘They are available for individuals who want a one-off product or a number of items that include details publicising a local church event, for example.’
Genesis UK will be at CRE 24 when visitors can discover their organic tee shirts, recycled polo shirts, school and college leavers hoodies, work uniforms, race and event t-shirts, children’s garments and much, much more – printed or embroidered to their design.
‘You will be able to browse our extensive range of promotional products which can feature church or company logos – including pens, lanyards, mugs, banners, key fobs, keyrings, magnets, stickers, drinks bottles, to name just a few,’ said Griffith.
• Genesis UK Ltd are on stand C37 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk