ZAC the musical: from the composer who’s never sold us short
A composer whose music has become part and parcel of church life will next week launch ZAC, his 25th musical (7.30pm, Sat 28 Sep, Bromsgrove Baptist Church).
He will follow it up with a talk at CRE 24 (2pm, Thu 10 Oct) on how musicals can be used in mission and evangelism.
Originally a teacher, Roger Jones is director of Birmingham-based Christian Music Ministries (CMM) and began writing when he composed Jerusalem Joy, a performance around Jesus’ ride on a donkey into Jerusalem. He has become internationally known with his works performed all over the world.
‘The new production will follow the Bible story of Zacchaeus as he transforms from a diminutive, cheating tax collector to a follower of Jesus,’ (pictured above) he explains.
With him at CRE 24 will be Devon Brown, for many years one of CMM’s soloists, He has sung for them in Canada, India and Israel. Roger will also be involved in a teaching workshop,Praise of future past (Wed 9 Oct, 12.30pm) and with Devon will lead the workshop Psalms, hymns and songs (Wed 9 Oct 2.30pm).
On Thursday, again with Devon, he will join Lou and Nathan Fellingham and Lucy Grimble for a session on sung worship and song writing (11am).
This year marks 40 years since Roger left his financially secure teaching job to concentrate on a less secure creative ministry. In 2018 he was awarded the Mary Jones Prize by Bible Society for his musical Greater than Gold (1983) and its contribution to keeping the story of Welsh girl Mary Jones and her Bible alive, worldwide.
In 2019 Roger was recipient of the Thomas Cranmer Award for Worship, presented to him by Archbishop Justin Welby.
• For more information on the worship strand at CRE 24 go to page 17 of the exhibition handbook.
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Blazing a trail for creative storytelling
A scavenger hunt based on the nativity story introduces the birth of Jesus in a new, engaging way.
It’s all part of Tale Trails, an initiative to help churches develop work with families and young people.
‘I wanted to use my expertise to provide a series of events for use in church and school situations,’ said Kirsty Allen, a former primary school teacher with drama training. ‘My first activity – the scavenger hunt – went down extremely well in a trial with 40 to 50 children in my home district.’ Kirsty, 55, intends to produce a number of Tale Trails to encourage children and adults to delve deeper into biblical stories.
‘I will cover subjects such as Easter along with some more suitable for schools and community use,’ she said, ‘to introduce children to parts of the Bible and traditional tales such as Goldilocks.’
The Nativity Trail features eight original illustrations which participants in teams hunt for. They then scan the attached QR code using a mobile phone or iPad and watch a short and entertaining video about one of the characters from the story. They must work as a team to rise to the creative challenges set within the trail, such as making their own videos based on the story.
‘A smart device (iPhone or tablet) able to scan QR codes is necessary,’ explained Kirsty. ‘A second device that can take photos and videos will be useful. Each team will need one QR code-friendly device and one photo-friendly device.
‘Through this engaging activity, participants experience stories by hearing from the characters involved and learn along the way by answering questions to unlock the next clues. The project is suitable for ages four to 94, so great for all-age events.’
• Tale Trails will be on stand P13 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Crafted to be classic and contemporary
Every new chair at St. John the Divine in New York has been meticulously crafted to compliment the cathedral’s existing architecture – and even features a personalised dedication plaque.
‘We are truly humbled that Dean Patrick Malloy and his team chose to work with us,’ said Gavin Duignan, owner of CRE 24 exhibitor ICS Furniture and designer of the ICON 40 chair. ‘Each of the 2000 chairs not only meets functional requirements but is engraved with the cathedral’s memorable rose window emblem.’
Dean Malloy said: ‘Modern objects can be jarring in historic buildings, but the contrast between the classic and the contemporary, when done well, can be extremely pleasing and even evocative. Years of dynamic and exceptionally cordial dialogue between us and ICS has borne fruit. The chairs allow us to stage diverse events – music, visual arts, lectures, panel discussions, and, above all, the worship of God – efficiently and beautifully. We are delighted that the cathedral is ICS’ first major American commission.’
• ICS Furniture are on stand D7 at CRE 24
Photo: St. John the Divine, New York
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Moving forward, future proofed
Integrating technology into some of the UK’s most historic listed buildings – that’s the mission of first-time exhibitor FWD-IP at CRE 24.
Future-proofing buildings by enhancing network infrastructure, telecommunications and security, the firm designs and installs state-of-the-art CCTV camera systems, contributing significantly to health and safety protocols, security measures, visitor management and crowd control. Their door and gate access control, barrier systems and automatic number plate recognition technology help manage car parking and secure premises effectively.
In operation since 1992, FWD-IP has partnered with time-honoured institutions such as Ely Cathedral, The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and the English Martyrs, Cambridge (OLEM), the Fitzwilliam Museum and Cambridge University.
‘We are thrilled to participate in our first CRE, where we will showcase our premier security solutions designed to safeguard places of worship and our national treasures,’ said FWD-IP director Will Everitt. ‘With many venues hosting an increasing number of large-scale events, our technology ensures seamless and secure operations, allowing them to focus on their mission and community.’
• FWD-IP are on stand C1 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Speaksee set to ‘amaze’ at CRE 24
A ground-breaking technology that delivers live speech transcription directly to a mobile phone or AV system will be launched at CRE 24.
Iain Harvey-Smith, of DM Music, believes Speaksee will have church leaders amazed at how it can help deaf people and those who hard of hearing. ‘This is a brand-new product in the UK,’ he said. ‘Seeing Speaksee in action will provide a better understanding of its capabilities than any description I can offer!’
An added benefit of Speaksee is that it can also be an effective language-translation tool for those for whom English is not their native language
DM Music – established over 30 years ago as a dedicated church supplier and installer of sound equipment – is now one of the leading AV system installers with installations in over 3,000 churches.
Adam Lee, the UK regional director for the Dutch-based Speaksee company, will join Iain at CRE 24.
• DM Music are on stand A17 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
The long and winding road to Highgate House
The building may date back to the 17th century but it will meet the current demand for affordable, quality conferencing.
So said John Heasman, chief executive of the Christian Conference Trust, opening Highgate House in rural Northamptonshire.
As the newest member of the Christian Conference Trust (CCT) family, which also runs well-known High Leigh in Hertfordshire and The Hayes in Derbyshire, Highgate House is equipped with 16 conferencing spaces, fully-catered services and 82 en-suite bedrooms.
By opening a third centre, the trust has added 30 per cent more capacity for Christian groups to benefit from residential ministry. It expects to welcome more than 25,000 people each year to Highgate House, representing groups from all major denominations.
‘Today is the culmination of years of searching, planning and praying,’ said Heasman. ‘We pray the opening of this stunning country house will benefit thousands of believers in invaluable residential ministry.’
• CCT are on stand A6 at CRE 24
Photo: Highgate House, CCT’s stunning new conferencing centre
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Yvonne Bell: how a chasuble changed her life
When Yvonne Bell’s vicar asked her to make him a chasuble she didn’t even know what one was.
‘He had to take me into the vestry to show me! I had no idea how many clerical vestments there were,’ recalls Yvonne, who had switched from attending a free church to join the Church of England. She was also at college studying art which included work on textiles.
Overnight, her life changed completely.
Creating the chasuble took her beyond the canvas prints, posters, greetings cards and postcards she had been designing. Her clerical range now includes stoles, copes, mitres, lectern and pulpit falls as well as church banners painted on silk using permanent silk dyes.
The Rt Rev Sarah Bullock, Bishop of Shrewsbury, recently had a cope made by Yvonne (pictured) to represent the area in which she ministers. Made of dupion silk and lined with cotton, the cope includes paintings of local features such as rivers, canals, birds, animals, ducks – and a green tractor.
‘It had to be green because that is the colour the local farmer drives,’ explained Yvonne.
‘The Bishop was thrilled to bits.’
It’s a reaction she invariably gets when one of her clerical creations is worn in front of a congregation. Based in nearby Deanshanger, Northamptonshire, Yvonne will be at CRE 24 introducing her range of artistic products including greetings cards and prints. She will take orders for clerical items if visitors want a special gift for a vicar or church. She will also have a range of teddy bears available for which she has created special clerical garments.
• Yvonne Bell is on stand A11 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Why ease of use is the key to church AV
Churches don’t have an endless supply of volunteer AV technicians – and that’s where we come in.
So says DSAV’s Dan Herbert (above) in the latest in a brand new series of CRE Exhibitor Podcasts showcasing a range of organisations you can expect to meet at CRE 24.
‘A lot of the audio-visual systems we install are geared around ease of use,’ explains Dan. ‘Nine times out of ten you can simply turn it on at the beginning of the service and turn it off at the end.’
Dan points out how many AV companies will look at what happens in church on a Sunday in isolation from the rest of the week.
‘The Sunday service is the culmination of what happens over seven days in church but what takes place in midweek is just as important,’ he maintains. ‘The verger may need to turn on the system for a service or stream a funeral, for example. That’s where ease of use really has to come into it.’
A lot of the systems DSAV install come with personal training.
‘It always amazes me that there are still churches out there with no system whatsoever,’ says Dan. ‘We’ll make sure we are there for your first service and return three or four weeks later to answer any questions you may have.’
Click here for the full podcast and here for an introduction to all the interviews on offer.
• DSAV are on stand B15 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Konnect Radio: join the journey at MK
This year we are ‘going big’ at CRE 24 – with a mobile studio and full team.
So says Gareth Cottrell (above), who launched Konnect Radio three years ago.
‘The exhibition holds a special place in our heart,’ said Gareth. ‘It was the first event we ever attended and this year visitors and listeners will be able to hear interviews and live broadcasts from the Marshall Arena.’
The station began three years ago when Gareth, 40, used 20 years’ experience in commercial and BBC radio to set up the new station. It provides a regular supply of Christian and
mainstream music, to bring ‘positive, safe, family-friendly content with added fun and laughter.’
Konnect is available over the internet with a series of day-time presenters and non-stop 24-hour music. It now reaches more than 60,000 people across the UK. Evangelist J John presents a weekly show on Wednesdays from 8pm and singer-songwriter Sue Rinaldi presents the Sunday breakfast show from 8am. Gareth himself hosts the weekday breakfast show, waking the nation from 7am.
‘We are a positive alternative to other stations,’ said Gareth. ‘We believe music helps
people on a spiritual journey whether that be through a new encounter or developing an existing faith.’
Anyone can listen via the Konnect app, through a smart speaker (just say ‘play Konnect Radio’) or at Konnectradio.com.
• Konnect Radio are on stand E31 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Talking frankly, what are you here for?
You’re unique – but what has God put you on this earth to achieve?
It was a question Frank Bennett (above), one of the founders of Crosslink Transformation Network, was unable to answer, in spite of being a Christian for 18 years.
‘The question gripped me intensely and I was captivated by it,’ Frank told CRE News. ‘I asked myself “Why can’t I answer this question?”. Surely, I should know the answer. I made a commitment there and then that I would find the answer and in doing so also identified what I believe to be my life mission which is “to help people find their true place in God and to go on to release their full potential in him and for him”. There, in 23 words, is my life mission statement which has guided me ever since.’
Frank’s book Gateway to Destiny is the result of his experiences.
‘It can help you find the answer you want in just a few days if you wish, or you can space it out over a longer time if that is more suitable,’ explains Frank. ‘Either way it’s there for you to discover your “whats” and to define them well enough so that you take the first step on your journey.’
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk