‘Best preacher’ leads way in reaching Muslim world
Dr Michael Youssef (above) is doing more to reach the Islamic world today than any man on the planet.
A big claim – but one made by internationally-respected teacher and pastor RT Kendall.
Currently celebrating its 15th anniversary, Youssef’s The Kingdom Satchannel is reaching 22 countries in the Arabic-speaking world with coverage accessible in 260 million+ homes worldwide. One in every two listeners is Muslim.
‘We have 2000 enquiries per month!’ said Andrew Hawkins, UK/Europe director of CRE 24 exhibitor Leading the Way, whose field teams on the ground follow up seekers and disciple new believers.
‘Michael is the best preacher on TV today, I recommend him without reservation,’ continued Kendall. ‘I urge you to support this ministry.’
Some 200,000 of the organisation’s Navigator solar-powered pocket devices (above) have been distributed around the world, accessing countries where Bibles and missionaries cannot go. Containing the New Testament and 150 Bible teachings by Dr Youssef, they are available in 28 different languages. Some churches in the UK are using them to reach asylum seekers and refugees.
In 2023 Dr Youssef preached at evangelistic celebrations in Dublin and Belfast, by invitation of local churches. Many attendees made Christian commitments before, during and after the events. In April, Dr Youssef preached in Veracruz, Mexico and this month in Springfield Massachusetts, with discussions underway in Scotland for future events.
• Leading the Way will be on stand P40 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 tabloid that’s tried and tested at bringing good news
More than 74,000 copies of the UK’s most popular evangelistic newspaper, Good News, were distributed over Easter – meaning that at least 150,000 people had the chance to read about Jesus with each copy likely to be seen by at least two people, probably three.
Used by evangelical churches of all denominations across the country, plus individual Christians and missions, the full-colour, tabloid-style paper has caught the imagination of those who want to share the Gospel with their neighbours.
Good News, available at CRE 24, features the testimonies of both well-known and ‘ordinary’ Christians – showing how God transforms lives, as well as stories highlighting the positive work of churches and Christian charities.
Run by a small team of dedicated Christians as a registered charity, Good News started in 2001 and has been edited by Andrew Halloway since 2007.
Andrew says: ‘Good News distribution is a tried and tested method of enthusing congregations about evangelism and engaging them in reaching people in their area. From the regular flow of commitments to Christ we see from the decision coupons returned to us, plus the anecdotes from churches who see how effectively Good News provides opportunities for evangelistic conversations, we know it works.
‘We give the glory to God for that, as we support churches in their task to reach the unchurched.’
Carl Carmody, head of Challenge evangelistic newspapers worldwide, believes churches need to re-envision their people to reach their friends and neighbours.
‘If you are not using a give-away newspaper like Good News to reach your community, how are you doing it?’ said Carl. ‘How else are you going to energise the whole church to join in personal evangelism?
‘Good News is a simple way to begin talking to people behind closed doors, and to graciously sow a seed into a home and a heart.’
• Good News will be at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Detailed, engaging and colourful: discover Go Teach at CRE 24
Leaders in charge of work among young people will be offered free samples of important new resources at CRE 24.
Lee Leighton, business manager of publishers Go Teach, said: ‘We’re returning to CRE and are excited to showcase our products to all the lovely people we’ll meet. If you are passionate about teaching children and young people biblical truths, we’ll be there to help.’
Using detailed, engaging and colourful resources, Go Teach, producers of bible teaching material for more than 75 years, aim to lay a foundation of biblical knowledge, apply truths to the lives of children and young people and, most importantly, present the challenge of the gospel.
The main resource is a teaching programme published three times a year, suitable for four age groups (three to 14 years) and following a four-year cycle. Covering a wide range of bible characters and events, the company’s high-quality printed materials and downloads contain detailed and engaging lesson plans, ideas for activities, memory verses and activity sheets as well as colourful visual aids.
In addition to their main teaching programme, Go Teach also produce:
- A two-year standalone syllabus of teaching materials for use with two to three-year-olds, ideal for use in a toddler group
- Holiday Bible Club resources including a new sports-themed resource called “TRAIN2WiN”
- Posters to support teaching, colouring books and other resources
‘If you’re an existing user, come by our stand and say “Hi” and see if there’s anything else we can help you with,’ said Lee. ‘If you don’t know who we are, CRE 24 will be your chance to find out!’
• Go Teach are on stand P35 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Football freestyler to open CRE in October
World-renowned professional football freestyler Daniel Cutting (seen above) will open CRE 24 – and remind visitors how churches can use sport as a vital bridge to their local communities.
A 10-time Guinness World Record holder, Daniel, who lives in Milton Keynes, specialises in live entertainment, product launches, corporate events, social campaigns, commercials – and even the occasional school assembly! He has more than five million followers across social media and prides himself on providing the highest quality form of football entertainment.
He has been working as a full-time football freestyler since graduating from university with his skills taking him to more than 40 countries. He has the ability to provide entertainment and, depending on the occasion, tell audiences about his Christian faith.
‘I was delighted to be asked to open CRE,’ he said.
He has honed and perfected his skills, as well as developing his own unique style, and takes inspiration from other creative art forms, such as break dancing and gymnastics, which he incorporates into his shows.
He realised that the determination, discipline and dedication needed for football freestyle was not only something to be admired but could also inspire others. He therefore encourages individuals not simply to take up football freestyle but to share these qualities while emphasising the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle which, when embraced, will help anyone to succeed.
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Six million reasons for new dyslexia-friendly Bible
For the first time ever, the whole Bible has been made available in a dyslexia-friendly format.
The Bible Society initiative began in 2015 with the book of Psalms and the Gospel of Mark. It’s now been completed with the publication of Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy and Joshua.
People with dyslexia can struggle to read and write easily because they don’t deal well with text on a page. Around six million people in the UK – one in 10 of the population – are thought to have the condition to some degree or another. Reading the scriptures can be particularly challenging as bibles are often produced on thin paper in densely-printed type.
The books in the dyslexia-friendly format are laid out like novels rather than in traditional columns and use shorter paragraphs. The larger, sans serif typeface with more space between the lines helps to reduce visual clutter. The books use thick paper so words don’t show through from the next page and a matt, rather than glossy finish minimises light reflection. Because the dyslexia-friendly series is published in shorter volumes, readers find it easier to navigate them instead of having to find their way through a thick bible.
Clair Natt (seen above), who has dyslexia, said: ‘I struggled reading the Bible because the words are so small and the pages are really thin. I found it really difficult to read; it’s just too complicated for me to comprehend and understand.’
Reading Scripture in the Good News Bible: Dyslexia-Friendly edition, has transformed her experience.
‘It’s more spaced out, the words are bigger and it’s just easier to read,’ she said.
Bible Society’s publishing director Derek Hill said: ‘We want to make the Bible available and accessible to everyone who needs it. We’ve committed resources to this project because it will benefit many people who will be able to discover its treasures for themselves.
‘People can collect the different books as individuals, or churches might decide to invest in a set. This is a significant achievement and we’re delighted to reach this accessibility milestone.’
The Dyslexia-Friendly range will be available at CRE 24
• The Bible Society are at CRE 24
Photo: Clair Natt with the new Good News Bible: Dyslexia-Friendly edition.
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Net zero, cost astronomical? Time to call the AP team
The Church of England wants to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its 32,000 buildings by 2030 – but how much will it cost and where will the money come from?
With a huge number of buildings to consider – cathedrals, churches, halls, housing stock and diocesan offices – the C of E Environment Team consulted CRE 24 exhibitors Action Planning for advice on fundraising.
‘We pulled together a multi-disciplinary team to cover all the angles,’ said Action Planning’s Sean Tully. ‘These included environmental funders (UK and international), faith-based funders (institutions, trusts and foundations), community funders (The National Lottery) and major donors, e.g ultra-high net worth individuals with an interest in faith and the environment. The picture is broader than you’d think!’
One standout insight from Action Planning’s research was the potential of statutory funding, local authorities and central government – a pot likely to be increased over the next decade. The company is preparing to deliver fundraising support for around 70 parish churches over the next two years and also delivering a series of free fundraising training webinars for Anglican churches and associated projects for individual dioceses.
‘It has been a real privilege to have been chosen to work with the C of E on such a big and important project,’ said Sean, ‘tackling a challenge that is evolving all the time, but which is also time critical.’
The C of E’s head of giving, Eleanor Stead, said: ‘It has been a genuine pleasure to work with Action Planning on this important project. They have delivered a thorough and thought-provoking feasibility study which their team should be very proud of. It asks some serious and challenging questions, but most excitingly highlights the opportunities available to make NetZero 2030 happen.’
• Action Planning will be on stand P20 at CRE 24 and contribute talks on fund-raising
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
The Word’s out! Acts of the Apostles next to get comic treatment
The next Word for Word Bible Comic will feature the Acts of the Apostles – unedited and untamed!
As a 168-page graphic novel, it will combine the words with in-depth historical research to make the illustrations as accurate as possible.
‘This is not the first comic to portray biblical stories,’ explains creator Simon Amadeus Pillario, ‘but unlike its predecessors, it will not abridge any of the text or attempt to “reinvent” any of the stories.’
The project is being funded through Kickstarter.
‘I’ve already run and fulfilled several very successful Kickstarters to create our first instalments in the series,’ says Simon, who has an honours degree in Graphic and 3D Design and is a small group leader within the New Frontiers movement in Bristol. ‘The brain can absorb visual information 60,000 times faster than text, so with visual media like this, aspects of culture, history, locality and ethnicity as well as meanings, subtleties and emotions are conveyed instantly.’
In a fast-paced visual age of instant movies and TV-on-demand, Word for Word grabs the attention of those unlikely to sit down and read a dusty old book, let alone the Bible.
According to Simon, the primary consumers within the exploding comics market today are, surprisingly, not children but men aged 27-36 and women aged 17-26.
‘This series targets that market by using the multifaceted ancient narrative, without simplifying it, watering it down or attempting to repackage it in a child-friendly way,’ says Simon.
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Mission on the Map: seven down, three to go
Just three stands remain in CRE 2024’s special zone dedicated to mission both at home and abroad.
‘Mission on the Map has worked well at previous CREs,’ said Mike Frith of presenting partner OSCAR. ‘When it’s hard to comprehend what’s going on in the world, there are still many great organisations doing crucial outreach and ministry in difficult places. You can meet some of these at the Marshall Arena in October.’
The organisations currently exhibiting in Mission on the Map are:
- Transform Europe Network
- Momentum Yes
- Rural Mission Solutions
- World Outreach
- OSCAR (CRE Jobs Board)
- Formission College
- CMS
‘We want to help keep mission on the agenda for local churches because when a church ceases to be engaged and involved in mission, it ceases to be the church God has called it to be,’ said Mike. ‘Mission on the Map will introduce some key organisations involved in mission work in the UK and around the world, for you to meet and engage with. Many have resources to help your church raise the profile of mission to both young and old in your congregation.’
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
CRE 2024 in Milton Keynes – join us for lunch and the low-down!
Local church leaders and office holders within striking distance of the town are invited to find out about CRE 2024 – at a special lunch in Milton Keynes on Tue 21 May.
‘In our (almost) 40-year history, we are bringing the exhibition to the area for the first time in October,’ explains CRE owner Steve Goddard. ‘We know from experience that, while some will have visited the exhibition somewhere else at some point over the years, many hundreds will have no idea we even exist!
‘In association with Churches Together in Milton Keynes we are therefore inviting everyone in some form of leadership in their local church to join us for lunch. We will lift the curtain on our plans for CRE 2024 at the Marshall Arena and show how local churches of all denominations and sizes will be resourced in hundreds of new and innovative ways. Even if you live some way from the town, you are still welcome!’
- Date of leaders’ lunch: Tue 21 May 2024
- Time: 12.30pm
- Venue: The Church of Christ the Cornerstone, 300 Saxon Gate Milton Keynes MK9 2ES
The buffet lunch is courtesy of CRE but numbers are limited, so please book your place today by contacting Jenny Brygan: jenny@creonline.co.uk by Friday 19 April. T: 0161 250 2737.
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Where next? Check out the CRE Jobs Board at CRE 2024
Visitors to CRE 2024 will be able to scan OSCAR’s Jobs Board which brings together a variety of work opportunities, paid and voluntary, in churches and with Christian organisations.
‘Whatever stage of life or season you are in, you can usually find opportunities to help you follow your calling and use your gifts to serve the kingdom of God – full-time, part-time or spare-time,’ said OSCAR founder Mike Frith. ‘We will also be on hand to help you explore your options with access to our huge online database of organisations and opportunities.
One grateful user is Stephen Jennings.
‘I spotted a card for Hope UK, to be trained as a drug educator,’ said Stephen. ‘I contacted them and following five months of training, joined the organisation doing just that! Thank you, as I had not heard of Hope UK until I scanned the boards!’
The OSCAR Jobs Board is an integral part of Mission on the Map at CRE 2024, where 10 organisations will promote their specific area of mission, home and abroad. More here.
• The OSCAR Jobs Board will be on stand F16 at CRE 2024
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk