All change at CRE: the UK’s ‘ideal church show’
The Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE), the UK’s largest church-related show, has changed hands in its 40th year and has been taken over by Quartz Business Media.
Based in Redhill, Surrey, Quartz is a distant relative of Argus Specialist Events, the company which originally launched CRE under the direction of Gospatric and Diana Home.
The new owners take over stewardship of the event from former journalist Steve Goddard and Dr Allison Goddard who have owned the event since 2016.
This year’s event, which took place last month at Sandown Park in Esher, Surrey had over 2,300 visitors, a 22% increase from the previous year.
Tony Crinion, managing director of the new owners, attended the show for its duration to introduce himself. Speaking at the exhibitor’s evening, Crinion emphasized Quartz’s commitment to honouring the event’s legacy while introducing fresh ideas.
‘We are committed to honouring such a successful legacy and starting a fresh chapter full of new ideas,’ said Crinion. ‘We will endeavour to help the event adapt and evolve so that it is always reflective of the communities it serves in a world that is constantly changing.’
He added: ‘Since 1985, CRE, often dubbed “the ideal church show”, has been a key date in the calendar for people in leading positions of local church management where they can meet suppliers and experts helping them fulfil their mission more effectively. With more than 170 exhibitors and thousands of influential visitors each year, the exhibition keeps embracing new ideas, methods and technology and remains a highlight in the church calendar.’
This year’s two-day exhibition offered visitors a wide range of bespoke products and services covering everything from fund-raising, church insurance, building services and furniture suppliers to clergy clothing and communion wine. On the pastoral side the exhibition offered advice on Sunday School work, counselling and difficult issues like dementia and bereavement.
Malcolm Cunnings, present in 1985 at the first CRE with Cunnings Recording Associates, cut the ribbon to open this year’s event.
‘In those days we were extolling the virtues of a microphone without cables – now an essential in most churches!’ he said. ‘We still love the exhibition because we meet so many clients and are able to help churches communicate the gospel with clarity to new generations.’
CRE 26 (14-15 Oct) will take place again at Sandown Park, Esher in Surrey. To book a stand contact James Batterbee T: 0161 250 2306 E: james@creonline.co.uk.
About Quartz Business Media
A leading organiser of B2B exhibitions and conferences and a publisher of market-leading magazines and directories, Quartz Business Media has conceptualised, developed and launched some of the most respected live events and publications in the world.
For more information, visit https://www.quartzltd.com/
Friends will gather to extend Legg’s legacy
Musicians Graham Kendrick, Andy Flannagan. Lou and Nathan Fellingham and Paul and Fiona Jones will join comedians Paul Kerensa and Tiny Vino to celebrate the life and legacy of late evangelist Steve Legg at CRE 25.
Top row, left to right: Tiny Vino, Paul and Fiona Jones, Paul Kerensa; bottom row: Graham Kendrick and Andy Flannagan.
Steve, who died in September 2024 aged 57, began his entertainment career in 1988 using escapology to grab the attention of his audience. He became well known for presenting the Gospel using a combination of comedy and magic tricks in events across the UK and overseas.
A prolific author, he wrote 20 books and founded Sorted, a lifestyle magazine for men with a Christian perspective.
Adventurer Bear Grylls called him ‘hilarious’ and TV presenter Jonathan Ross called him ‘very clever indeed.’ Mark Greenwood, director of evangelism at Elim Churches, described him as ‘one of the funniest, most creative and risk-taking evangelists’ he had ever known.
‘The Steve Legg Arts Theatre at CRE 25 will honour and extend our good and much-missed friend’s legacy,’ said CRE owner Steve Goddard. ‘For two hours on each of the exhibition’s two days we will bring together some of the people Steve worked with over the years – on Sorted magazine and at events all over the UK. His commitment to helping “ordinary blokes” make sense of the Christian faith is something we want to try and help sustain.’
CRE 2025
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What about Steve’s legacy? It’s sorted
Following the success of a six-month pilot scheme, Sorted Digital will officially launch at CRE 25 – with many friends of the print magazine’s late founder Steve Legg (pictured) in attendance.
Sorted Digital editor Val Fraser said: ‘In order to accurately gauge existing good will I’ve intentionally refrained from promoting it during the six-month pilot scheme. I’m excited that I will be speaking publicly about it for the first time at CRE 25.’
In February 2025 it was announced that Sorted magazine would become an online magazine called Sorted Digital, published monthly via Substack. Within the first 10 minutes of going live the announcement attracted 2000 views and a further 10,000 by the end of the first day.
Since then, ten issues of Sorted Digital online magazine have been published over a period of six months achieving an aggregate total of 72,000 views. It has been read across 27 countries and 14 US States.
‘It’s a promising start which means Sorted Digital has the potential to match the annual reach of the print magazine,’ said Val. ‘Knowing that readers feel confident in the work I’m doing is priceless. I feel they are behind me and want to keep Steve’s legacy going into the future.’
Sorted Digital will be a major part of a special lunchtime event on both days of CRE 25, hosted by Sue Rinaldi, in the Steve Legg Arts Theatre. Special guests include Paul and Fiona Jones, Graham Kendrick, Paul Kerensa, Tony Vino and Andy Flanngan.
- Sorted Digital are on stand Y4 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
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Why kids make a solid start at Rock UK
With a legacy dating back more than a century, Rock UK Adventure Centres offer more than 40 instructed activities designed to build confidence, resilience and teamwork in young people and adults alike.
Operating in four areas – Frontier Centre in Northamptonshire, Carroty Wood in Kent, Summit Centre in South Wales and Whithaugh Park in the Scottish Borders, Rock UK provides immersive experiences in stunning natural settings.
Each centre offers tailored programmes for schools, youth groups, churches, families and corporate teams, with activities ranging from climbing, abseiling, and archery to kayaking, zip wires and mountain biking.
The flagship Frontier Centre boasts 122 acres of woodland and water, featuring an aerial adventure course, lakeside activities and versatile accommodation for groups of six to 200 – including its new tented village.
Steve Hallett, director of operations and income generation, told CRE News: ‘It’s a hub for personal growth, leadership development and unforgettable memories. Every activity is led by qualified instructors, ensuring a safe and supportive environment where participants can challenge themselves and grow.
‘Our mission is rooted in Christian values. In addition to our outdoor adventure programme, we run an instructor training programme for young adults looking to train as outdoor instructors.’
Whether it’s a school residential, a youth retreat, or a family adventure day, Rock UK delivers high-impact experiences that go beyond the ordinary.
- Rock UK are on stand R6 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
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Riding the waves of change in Africa
Right now I am harvesting more corn than before – and my farm is better!
So says Fatuma (pictured with her mother), a farmer in Kenya, who has been trained in growing vegetables, farming and preparing herbal medicine by using plants.
This year at CRE 25 Ripple Effect will be inviting visitors to create a similar impact of hope and transformation across rural Africa.
Ann Hatton, Ripple Effect’s community manager, said: ‘You will discover how we can help your church on its eco church journey while engaging your congregation with global issues of justice, creation care and community.
‘The organisation works alongside farming families on the very front line of the climate crisis. Through training in sustainable farming, they grow enough to eat, build resilience and create opportunities for their children. And the impact doesn’t stop there: each family passes on their knowledge to more families – multiplying the blessing and spreading positive change far beyond their own fields.’
At the Ripple Effect stand visitors will discover practical ways a church can join this mission.
- Twin your church garden with a family in Africa, supporting three years of life-changing training.
- Sign up to Making Ripples for inspiring stories, prayer updates, and fundraising opportunities tailored for churches.
- Try African-inspired solutions like the Keyhole Garden – perfect for church grounds, boosting biodiversity and growing fresh food.
There will also be a seminar at CRE – ‘Eco church in action: supporting farming families in rural Africa’ (12.30pm, Thu 16 Oct, Talks Area 1).
‘I’d love to meet you at CRE,’ said Ann. ‘Together, let’s sow seeds of hope that grow into a harvest of transformation.’
- Ripple Effect are on stand K6 at CRE 25
Photo: Fatuma with her mother.
CRE 2025
See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
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Why getting heard requires some radical re-thinking
In a bewildering world there’s a new book to help us make sense of it all.
‘The Church has a Past: Has it got a Future? is a work of journalism as much as theology,’ explains its author Rev Andy Roland (pictured). ‘It’s for anyone wondering how the church – and faith –can engage honestly with the real world we live in today.’
Available on the Rev Andy Books stand at CRE 25, the book has three sections:
- The last 2000 years – not what the Church was preaching but what different societies were asking. Chapters include Jesus and Gentiles, Barbarians, Middle Ages, Reformation etc.
- By 2000 our society wasn’t asking any questions of the Church – so every change and development of the past 25 years is described, from CRISPR gene-editing to AI, from video games to gender identities, from social media to crypto currencies.
- Being Credible in the Post-Modern World addresses 18 crunch issues, such the natural history of religion, faith in a world of faiths and a history of Hell.
‘Some of these issues need radical rethinking by Christians if we are even to be heard by wider society,’ says Andy, who read history and theology at Oxford and Durham and was vicar of All Saints, Hackbridge and Beddington Corner for over 20 years. ‘Others challenge the secular mindset.’
He will speak at CRE 25 on the book (11am, Thu 16 Oct, Talks Area 2).
- Rev Andy Books are on stand O6 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
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Set your prayers free from the clutter
In a world overflowing with endless mobile notifications, our deepest prayer needs can easily get buried beneath the clutter.
A new resource to this year’s CRE, PrayerBud, a digital prayer platform, cuts through the chaos, turning a notification into a moment of connection, reminding you that someone is lifting you up in prayer or prompting you to pray for someone.
Its creator is Dr Olatunde Banjo, the founder and CEO of DTI.
‘In today’s digital age, churches and small groups often struggle to keep up with technological advancements,’ he told CRE News. ‘Prayerbud offers a low-barrier entry point for ministries ready to begin a digital transformation journey.
‘At DTI we build cost-effective, bespoke software for manufacturers and small businesses for a living. If manufacturing operations can be optimised by digital solutions, why not the church?’
As a seasoned manufacturer with a passion for continuous improvement, Olatunde saw an opportunity to transfer his skills into kingdom service. During a church service, he was stirred to replace the traditional paper-based prayer and praise cards with a digital solution – one that would eliminate lost requests and unstructured WhatsApp messages, and instead create a seamless, single-click approach to raising prayer requests and sharing testimonies.
- Prayerbud 4 Churches – Enables churches to keep the prayer doors open 24/7 and helps extend the spirit of Sunday into everyday life.
- Prayerbud 4 Friends & Family – Helps people stay spiritually connected across continents. Prayer requests can be shared, answered prayers celebrated and real-time updates and encouragements received.
Olatunde will be at CRE 25 seeking partners who share his vision – to make Prayerbud a global tool for prayer, connecting churches and individuals across borders.
‘Let’s come together and build a praying Church that’s connected, responsive – and empowered by new technology,’ said Olatunde. ‘Join us in this mission to make prayer more accessible, more intentional and more powerful.’
- PrayerBud is on stand S4 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3
Why OSCAR could be just the job
OSCAR, the One Stop Centre for Advice and Resources, will exhibit again at CRE 25.
‘If you’re involved or interested in Christian or mission work, in the UK or overseas, OSCAR is your gateway to useful, related opportunities, information, advice and resources,’ explains its founder Mike Frith, who set up OSCAR 25 years ago.
In the late 80s and 90s MIke worked as a pilot and engineer with Mission Aviation Fellowship in Africa and discovered that many problems they faced could be solved by either being better informed or better connected.
OSCAR’s website has received five million visits, with 16 million pages viewed and 1,700 people attending training courses. The company has advertised 21,000 jobs or opportunities for service – and there will once again be a Jobs Board at CRE 25.
‘Some of the jobs listed are not specifically aimed at Christians but have something of interest to people involved in mission or ministry,’ explained Mike. ‘Where possible, we provide brief details about the background and aims of each organisation, service or resource. As a charity, we are a non-profit organisation with the few “paid for” services we offer helping us provide the rest of our services free of charge.’
Anyone who feels a call to mission work, or senses it is time to look for fresh working opportunities, should make a beeline for the OSCAR stand.
- OSCAR are on stand S1 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
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Trees, bees and seeds bring hope at harvest
Trees, bees and seeds are being used by local churches in Tanzania to strengthen their communities – and it’s the theme of a new resource pack that will be available at CRE 25.
Ideal for harvest services, creation care events, coffee mornings, bible studies, school and youth groups, the Operation Agri (OA) resource pack focuses on the IMARIKA project in Tanzania.
OA supports rural and urban development projects in three continents, attacking basic causes of poverty among some of the most disadvantaged people in the world. The projects help people to address their own problems, rectifying injustice, improving their environment, establishing their role in the community and transforming their lives physically, mentally and spiritually.
Emphasis is placed on the development work fulfilling two criteria – it should be ‘owned’ by the local people, and where possible be sustainable. With its aim of ‘showing Christian love in action’, OA works with overseas partner organisations led by locally-based Christians.
- Operation Agri are on stand O7 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3
The power of light to enrich worship
Thoughtful, precise lighting can transform sacred spaces, enhance atmosphere, guide the eye and reveal the beauty of architecture.
That’s the opinion of Jim Ashley-Down, managing director at ERCO, first-time exhibitors at CRE 25.
‘For decades, we have been trusted to deliver stunning lighting solutions across cathedrals, churches, mosques and temples worldwide,’ he told CRE News. ‘Our expertise has made us the go-to lighting company for so many of the world’s religious buildings – from Salisbury Cathedral, Sherborne Abbey, Newcastle Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh to international landmarks like Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavik, Milan, Siena and Toledo Cathedrals.
‘Our portfolio shows the power of light to enrich worship and architecture alike.’
Alongside these well-known projects, ERCO has also illuminated the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the Punchbowl Mosque in Sydney and Buddhist temples such as Jokhang Dazhao in Lhasa and Niushoushan Culture Park in Nanjing. Each project reflects a deep respect for both heritage and contemporary needs, ensuring light plays its role in conservation, atmosphere and spiritual meaning.
‘Whether you’re caring for a historic cathedral or looking to refresh a smaller parish church, the ERCO team is ready to discuss how tailored lighting solutions can bring clarity, presence and reverence to your building,’ said Jim.
- ERCO are on stand M4 at CRE 25
Images: Photography James Newton. Courtesy of ERCO GmbH ©
CRE 2025
See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3