Enjoy a close encounter of the family kind
The whole family – grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins – can enjoy a week of worship, family activities and outdoor adventure on the North Devon coastline this summer.
From August 16 to 22 2025, Encounter!takes place in the 300-acre Lee Abbey estate, a joint effort between the popular conference retreat centre and the Bible Society.
With a wide-ranging choice of activities for all ages, the week had its trial run last year when one participant said: ‘The speakers were excellent and the teaching very on-point for me! Our children loved their group activities.’
Lee Abbey’s Mark Scyner told CRE News about the centre’s long-term vision. ‘After five years, there will be people camping all around the place,’ he said, ‘with everyone converging on the field for times of worship.’
Warden Gordon Crowther explained: ‘The hope is that it will be about encountering Jesus and making it possible for people of many stages and backgrounds of life, including those who don’t come from a particular church background, to find a festival environment more informal and hospitable.
‘The Encounter week will provide a wide range of activities, worship times, and teaching sessions for all ages with accommodation provided in the estate centre’s historic house and activity centre. Eventually it will also provide space for self-catering tented accommodation but this August the concentration will be on getting together a series of activities, study sessions and big tent worship to bless young and old.’
- Lee Abbey will be on stand F7 at CRE 25
Photo: Lee Abbey: venue for Encounter!
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Charting the post-Covid church conference boom
Since the end of lockdowns in 2021, the Christian Conference Trust (CCT) has seen demand for its facilities skyrocket – attracting new groups from predominantly black-majority congregations as well as those from Brazilian, Chinese, Korean and traditional churches.
CCT’s Mark Rowe told CRE News: ‘After a two-year hunt for a suitable third venue, we opened the doors at Highgate House in Northamptonshire last June. What was once a coaching inn is now a 200-delegate retreat centre.’
Meanwhile, High Leigh, a retreat venue in the heart of rural Hertfordshire, is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the construction of a new state-of-the-art meeting hall.
‘In response to increasing demand, more than £2 million is being invested in a new, 320-seater meeting hall, set to replace Yew Tree Hall,’ explained CCT’s chief executive officer John Heasman. ‘This will allow the centre to host larger groups, fulfilling its mission to provide exceptional spaces for Christian gatherings.
‘With cutting-edge AV, soundproof dividers to create two smaller halls (seating 200 and 100) and eco-friendly features including solar panels, rainwater harvesting and air-source heat pumps, the hall is designed to meet the needs of guests in the next season of Christian conferencing while caring for God’s creation.’
While construction is underway, the fully-equipped Garden Suite will serve as a replacement meeting space for Yew Tree during 2025, ensuring High Leigh continues to welcome guests without interruption. The new hall is scheduled to open by January 2026, with the old Yew Tree Hall being transformed into a welcoming foyer and breakout area.
‘This exciting project marks a significant milestone for High Leigh,’ said John. ‘Thanks to the generosity of a Christian benefactor, we can meet the growing needs of our groups, providing them with a modern and sustainable space to gather, worship and grow in faith.’
- The Christian Conference Trust are on stand B3 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Theological study: time to think inside the box
Budding students can now order a package of resources to help them begin theological studies at their own pace.
Bible College in a Box is a product of the School for Discipleship run by Lansdowne Church in Bournemouth, exhibitors at CRE 25.
‘The box provides a wide range of ways to access discipleship training remotely if you are unable to attend a course in person,’ said programme director Chris Sinkinson. Five core textbooks look at biblical, applied and systematic theology, along with other study books and a number of easy-to-read bibles that can be used in evangelism. Online video content, supplementing contents of the box, will be available soon.
‘We want to feed minds and change lives,’ said Chris, who was lecturer in Christian doctrine, biblical background and apologetics at Moorlands College for 15 years. He joined Lansdowne Church as an associate minister to develop the tools for discipleship training.
The box, costing £49.99, is available to order here and the online programme will be fully live by September – in time for its promotion at CRE 25.
‘It contains everything to enable a local church to provide and run some kind of theological training and discipleship course in its area,’ said Chris. ‘It could help enable a student to become a full-time Christian worker or simply understand the Bible more fully. It even contains a pair of reading glasses and a pen!’
You can meet members of the School of Discipleship team at CRE 25.
- Lansdowne Church and Bible College in a Box will be on stand S3 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Let there be light: from Sadler’s Wells to All Saints, Stock
Safeguarding an ancient building and increasing its ability to help the local population – that was the task facing the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of All Saints in Stock, Essex.
After major repairs to roofs over the nave and chancel, the council called in the services of CRE 25 exhibitor Clarity in Sound, Light and Vision – to update the lighting system.
‘The challenge was to give the church an up-to-date LED system which is cheaper to run with up to 90 per cent energy reduction and easy-touch controls to ensure anyone could operate the system,’ said Clarity’s Yvette Faris. ‘The new system does not just offer a variety of options for use during main services but also for a meeting area and an enhanced “stage” set-up for the village school to use.’
All the house lighting was replaced with LED alternatives with excellent colour rendering index to provide the ‘wow’ factor. Two spots over the seasonal display area were installed and two ceiling downlighters under the organ loft. A 3K spot by the pulpit also helps to illuminate text for the reader.
The PCC’s Martin King was delighted with the results. ‘Our new system works effectively, flexibly and with simple controls – just as they promised! I also want to say how impressed we were with all the very pleasant and skilful staff. They were efficient and checked every detail as we progressed.’
Yvette explained: ‘The system Clarity installed was designed and developed in the UK by GDS whose lighting range is in use in numerous theatres in London including Sadlers’ Wells, high-end heritage buildings such as the Natural History Museum and various churches, including the Tower of London chapel.’
Next on the PCC’s agenda – upgrading the church’s heating and tackling holes left in the spire by woodpeckers!
• Clarity SLV will be on stand N7 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Laurina’s journey: Yarnfield Park to priesthood
It has been an amazing journey and great privilege to meet people from different faiths and denominations.
So says Laurina Rushworth, director of faith and religious groups at the Yarnfield Park training and conference centre in Staffordshire.
‘I am delighted to share my faith with colleagues and clients,’ she told CRE News. ‘I feel it gives me a unique perspective of what visitors may require from a venue and supports them in the choice of a place to meet.’
Laurina also began training for the priesthood in the Church of England a year ago and hopes to become a deacon next year.
‘I have been at Yarnfield Park for two years and it has really enhanced my studies. At the same time my studies have enhanced my role at the centre!’ she said.
Yarnfield is part of the Venues Collection which consists of three hotels and two conference and training centres catering for all types of events, from large-scale training and youth conferences to smaller family events, ministry team gatherings and pastoral retreats.
There are 338 guest rooms featuring LED televisions, free wireless internet, private bathrooms with showers and desks and coffee/tea making facilities.
‘We cater for everyone from two to 500 people,’ said Laurina.
• Yarnfield Park (Venues Collection) are on stand D10 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Margaret Wylie: socking it to us for 25 years
When Margaret Wyllie started a course with the Scottish Churches Open College, she thought she was heading for a pulpit and a dog collar. Instead, she started designing socks.
‘One of the recommended books was Gerard W. Hughes’ God of Surprises,’ she told CRE News. ‘God has surprised me so many times in the past 25 years since we sold our first pair of Holy Socks. The whole idea was surprising to begin with Hand then came the further surprise of the original story leaflets that accompany them. I’m never quite sure how the stories are going to start or finish.’
Holy Socks, which illustrate biblical verses, characters and themes, have been to the top of Kilimanjaro, cycled in the Arctic Circle, walked in New Zealand, Australia and along the Great Wall of China – to name just a few.
‘Unless our customers tell us, we don’t know where or on whose feet, our socks end up. It’s quite intriguing really,’ said Margaret. ‘It’s been so interesting meeting people and hearing who they’ve bought the socks for and getting the reaction of folk who’ve been given them as a gift.’
Margaret, from Newton Stewart in Scotland, is currently awaiting delivery of a redesigned Pharaoh’s Cows sock.
‘This was our first “not a pair of socks” design – seven well-favoured cows on one and seven ill-favoured cows on the other,’ she said. ‘We’ve had many in that style since. Our sheep and goats design features sheep on one sock and goats on the other (pictured) – with advice as to which animal to wear on which foot, of course.’
To celebrate their 25th year, Margaret has plans for a really special new offering which will be available in time for CRE 25.
‘It was a real surprise to me and promises to have a really unexpected story,’ she said. ‘News of that later in the year.’
• Holy Socks are on stand H6 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
New video series speaks where church is silent
A man whose life was on the rocks from addiction to pornography will launch The Road to Grace video series at CRE 25.
‘In spite of spending years in church, reading my Bible and praying, God showed me I’d never gone after him,’ said Mike Genung. ‘I’d sought women, ministry success, money, Bible knowledge – but not the Lord himself.’
A radical change in lifestyle not only saved his marriage but led him on a mission to help men and women similarly addicted, with the formation of the charity Blazing Grace, exhibitors at CRE 25.
‘Surveys show that two-thirds of Christian men view porn, and those are just the honest ones,’ he said. ‘Many Christian women struggle with this, too – the fastest-growing segment when it comes to viewing pornography.’
The Road to Grace video series features six sessions which can be for personal use, presented in churches or used within study groups. The sessions feature:
- Mike’s own story
- The physical, emotional and spiritual effects of pornography on a man and his wife
- Action steps for men for recovery and healing
- The road to healing for the man’s wife and marriage
- Spiritual warfare and breaking the power of lies
- Youth and the Church
The videos were produced in the UK by Monkeynut Studios – a fellow exhibitor at CRE – and are introduced by British singer and actress Deryn Edwards.
An author of six books, Mike said: ‘Over the years “I have no one to talk to” are often the first words from those who come to us at Blazing Grace. Many don’t have a prayer life. Some don’t even know how to pray. Many have been wounded or spiritually abused by their churches and complain that church leaders avoid difficult issues.’
Mike’s books will also be available at CRE 25 and he will be available to talk to anyone who is either struggling with issues relating to pornography or knows someone else who facing similar problems.
• Blazing Grace are on stand K5 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Val takes on next leg of Sorted’s journey
Sorted print magazine, which folded following the death of founder Steve Legg, has been re-imagined as a new project aimed at digital readers.
Sorted Digital is a wholesome, online magazine aimed primarily at a male readership.
It is the vision of journalist Val Fraser who began working for the magazine five years ago as a columnist and feature writer. In 2022 Steve made her the digital editor with editorial responsibility for the Sorted magazine website.
Steve’s widow, Bekah, has given her blessing to this new venture saying: ‘Sorted print magazine ceased publication in September 2024 and there are no plans to resume it. Sorted Digital online magazine is a new venture owned entirely by Val with no legal ties to Sorted Magazine or SCM. It’s an exciting new project which has already attracted a wonderful outpouring of support.’
Val told CRE News: ‘Sorted Digital (SD) will be an online magazine published monthly via Substack. When the idea for it began to take root in my heart I never imagined it would take off so quickly. The first issue went out on February 10 and had 10,000 views in the first week!
‘Steve’s ministry has left a remarkable impact upon the hearts and minds of many people. I really do feel I’m standing on the shoulders of a giant. It would appear that God has not finished with the vision he gave to him. I’m also grateful to Bekah for listening carefully to my ideas and for giving her blessing to this new project.
‘SD has been designed for optimum readability on a mobile phone and I am encouraged that a good number of familiar names have stayed on board. Together we are confident we can deliver a little bit of that famous Sorted vibe.’
Val is not perturbed editing what is primarily a men’s magazine.
‘There are many men editing women’s magazines and after working with Sorted for so long I have a real feel for the contents,’ she explained. ‘In fact, something like one in five of the magazine’s subscribers were women!’
Sorted Digital will be free, although there will be opportunities for readers to make a donation.
‘It will arrive in your in-box monthly and contain half a dozen articles,’ she added.
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Journeying from loss to faith and hope
Churches across the UK are witnessing a remarkable mission impact through a programme supporting grieving adults.
The Bereavement Journey® is a series of seven sessions of films and peer group discussion for churches to offer to bereaved people. Originally developed by counsellor Jane Oundjian MBE, the programme is now provided by the charity AtaLoss, exhibitors at CRE 25. Under the leadership of Revd Canon Yvonne Tulloch, the course has been running in a revised form since 2023 – with significant results.
While the first six sessions are without faith content, the seventh and final, optional for participants, gives a Christian response to faith questions arising in bereavement. It has been developed by Yvonne. An integral part of the training is the ‘Bereavement Friendly Church’ webinar helping church leaders understand the need and opportunity for bereavement support and the particular challenges associated with bereavement and the Church.
Since its publication in September 2023, The Bereavement Journey has spread to more than 400 locations across the UK and a recent analysis reveals considerable reach beyond church congregations.
- 89 per cent of course leaders report welcoming participants with no previous church connection
- 39 per cent of all participants are coming from outside church circles
- 80 per cent of participants are choosing to attend the optional final session on faith – rising to 83 per cent for courses involving participants with no prior church connection
‘Many years ago, I felt God call me to a new form of mission and I believe this is it,’ said Yvonne. ‘Much like the Alpha Course, we knew we had to prescribe the programme’s delivery and since then, we’ve heard nothing but good reports. It’s very humbling to see the Holy Spirit at work.’
• Ataloss will be on stand E8 at CRE25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Time to get more ‘Indiana Jones’ about our Bibles
‘Frustrated cartoonist’ Graham Whiteman (above) had ‘made a bit of money and found a bit of fame’ from his skills – but it had never come to much.
So, in 2005 with wife Charlotte, he opened a coffee shop in the centre of Porthmadog in North Wales – and it quickly became a much-visited destination for local residents and holiday-makers.
‘The Big Rock Café started with a heavenly call to put the word of God on serviettes!’ said Graham. ‘Bibles are free to passers-by and scripture remains prominent on the café’s walls.’
The premises also became the meeting place for a church which Graham led for 15 years.
‘Cartoons and illustrations were a handy way to keep the Sunday faithful awake but I wanted to take it further,’ he recalled. ‘Could I present the Sunday sermon to the Monday café customer in the time it takes to drink a cappuccino?’
The result was a sketch-book full of good intentions – ‘with half-drawn ideas and no opportunity to finish the challenge I set myself.’
While reading the Bible daily in 2022, ‘the Lord began to move us on from the café.’ Now with eight children, Graham admits that moving on from the daily commitment of baking bread seemed impossible.
‘Yet the Lord did it,’ he said. ‘First with an un-settling, then with Covid and the death of a loved one – and lastly with a big step of faith.’ After two months seeking a place to rent, the Whitemans ended up in a manse owned by the Church Growth Trust in the Milland Valley, West Sussex.
‘Drawing cartoons inspired by the Holy Spirit suddenly came to life,’ said Graham, ‘and what had been so impossible all those years ago, became possible. After only a few months I had produced a number of “zine” books and panel cartoons, based on scripture truths that had become real to us, personally.’ Don’t Walk in the Dark was born.
‘We have seen the Lord turn a vision into a charity with trustees, a website and opportunities to share more of what has been placed on our hearts,’ he said. ‘We want to help Christians be a little more Indiana Jones about their Bibles – seeking the treasure as if their lives depend upon it, on their knees, following its tunnels and understanding the battle, torch in hand.’
• Don’t Walk in the Dark are on stand S8 at CRE 25
CRE 2025
Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk