CRE News

‘Good News’ Bob still going strong

Bob Parsons (above) celebrated his 90th birthday in August – but that hasn’t stopped him delivering the Good News newspaper to local people in Southampton.

Shirrell Heath Methodist Church began distributing copies more than 30 years ago (it was called Challenge then). Around 400 copies go out every month and Bob still personally gives out 50.

‘Delivering the Good News is a great way for people to read how Jesus can change lives,’ he said, ‘especially if the stories are about a well-known people.’

‘Good News, and Challenge before it, has always included a mix of “celebrity” stories as well as “ordinary” Christians’ testimonies,’ explained editor Andrew Holloway, ‘because people who read secular newspaper and magazines are used to seeing famous people featured and reading about their lifestyles. The difference with Good News, of course, is that celebrities are only featured if they have something positive to say about faith, God, Jesus, the Bible or Christianity in general.

‘People start reading the paper because of the recognisable faces, but often then go on to read the testimonies of other people in the paper. This is why we include well-known people like singers, actors or sports stars – because Good News can’t reach people with the Gospel unless they pick up the paper and start reading it. Many evangelists who use the paper tell us this strategy works.’

Good News also features apologetic articles and a clear gospel message, plus familiar newspaper features like a film review, recipe, crossword, sudoku, cartoon – all with the aim of attracting different readers.

New exhibitors line up for CRE’s 40th anniversary

With nine months to go before the doors open on CRE 25 (15-16 Oct) more than half of the space available has been sold or reserved.

And while dozens of businesses and charities will be well known to visitors, more than 20 organisations will be exhibiting for the first time at Sandown Park, including:

10 of Those
MTS Live
Clipper Tea
Interactive Storyteller
The Stones Hotel
University of Kent
Gemini Parking Solutions
Flock and Canvas
Curious Berries
CMJ UK
Whittlebury Park
World Uyghur Christian Union
Academic Venues Solutions
Leading the Way
Shevet Achim UK
ReSource
Servicestream LTD (MCN Media)
Headline Audio (Nord keyboards)
Faith in Later Life
Stephen Disraeli
Wycliffe Hall

‘Several of these organisations joined us for the first time in Birmingham and Milton Keynes in 2023 and 2024 and it will be a special privilege to introduce them to visitors at the traditional “home” of CRE at Sandown Park in the Autumn,’ said event director Brett Pitchfork.

Kids and vaping: a new challenge faced by Hope UK

A huge number of children and young people are taking up vaping – not because they want to quit smoking but because they see it as cool and trendy.

So says Mary Deller, of drug education charity Hope UK, in the first of a special series of podcasts featuring CRE exhibitors. The organisation works with Year Six children, to help them in the transition to secondary school.

‘We are facing a whole host of issues that weren’t there in my youth,’ explains Mary. ‘At every school we are asked to talk to their young people about vaping. If you ask children who were vapes invented for, they’ll say teenagers or adults. But when you explain that vaping was invented for smokers who want to quit smoking, the penny drops.’

The Christian faith is fundamental to what Hope UK do.

‘It’s part of the legacy and the history of who we are as an organisation and what motivates us as individuals, both staff and volunteers, because we are all practising Christians,’ explains Mary. ‘We often quote John 10:10, where Jesus talks about giving us life in all its fullness, whereas the thief comes to kill and destroy. We make that analogy with drugs.’

The organisation is currently looking to recruit volunteers from churches.

‘It is a big commitment, but you get very good training, accredited by the Open College Network,’ says Mary, ‘so if you have a passion for this work and feel called, then I’d definitely encourage you to get in touch with us.’

See the whole podcast with Mary Deller of Hope UK.

All-action start for fundraisers in the new year

Churches looking to raise funds for innovative local projects are invited to attend a special event in London.

The Faith and Fundraising Conference (26 Mar 2025, Royal Geographical Society, London) will feature a range of expert speakers offering on-hand help and ideas. There’ll be plenty of time for in-person networking, too.

CRE exhibitors Action Planning have joined forces with Stewardship and Yeomans Marketing and Fundraising, to run the conference.

‘You will leave with new insights from generous funders, stories of success, practical tips from sector experts, contacts and inspiration to fuel you for the year ahead,’ say the organisers. ‘Those who attend will also receive a limited-edition publication with exclusive research findings, case studies, stories and stats to extend the benefit to their team and ministry.’

Speakers already announced include the CEO of World Vision, Fola Komolafe; Steve Campbell from C3; Tarn Bright, co-CEO of Home for Good/Safer Families; Jonathan de Bernhardt Wood, director of giving at the Church of England; Robin Peake, chair of Fundraising in Christian Organisations and Wendy Pawsey, head of giving for the Evangelical Alliance. Trusts and foundations represented include the Joseph Rank Trust, Benefact, Jerusalem Trust and the Stewardship Philanthropy Fund.

A full list of speakers will be announced over the coming weeks with early bird tickets already available.

• Action Planning will be on stand G3 at CRE 25

CRE 24: ‘You just don’t know what’s going to come from a face-to-face conversation’

By 4pm on the first day of CRE 24 at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, exhibitors Chris and Kim Dunphy had already had so many helpful and detailed conversations with visitors that they were ‘completely talked out’.

Chris, founder of ChurchEcoMiser, will now make several site visits to churches over the next few months – introducing them to the company’s eco-friendly heating system. Over the past few exhibitions Chris and Kim have distributed more than 1,000 free tree saplings to CRE visitors. In spite of two long days interacting with hundreds of visitors, they, along with more than 60 other organisations, have already booked their stand at CRE 25 (15-16 Oct, Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey).

Margaret Wylie was equally busy at Holy Socks. ‘Working from home or an office is fine, but it’s good to get out and actually meet people face to face,’ she said. ‘You just don’t know what’s going to come from a face-to-face conversation.’

CRE 24 was the first-ever at the Marshall Arena. More than 150 organisations were represented on the exhibition floor and total attendance over two days was 1,786, comprising 1,446 visitors and 340 exhibitors – almost identical to CRE 23 in Solihull.

‘Once again we sent out the 60-page exhibition handbook free to thousands of former visitors and new contacts, several weeks before the event,’ said CRE owner Steve Goddard. ‘It meant they came fully informed and ready to do business.’

Modernising churches was a theme picked up by ITV News, who filmed the exhibition in full flow and broadcast a report in a prime spot on the first evening of the show. The BBC also published a piece on their regional website.

But CRE wasn’t just about ‘holy hardware’. Two days of worship and discussion about worship were led by popular worship leaders and songwriters Lou and Nathan Fellingham, Lucy Grimble, Roger Jones and Devon Brown.

‘We have presented hints and tips on the practical way of writing from the heart,’ said Lou. ‘It would be great if those who attended the sessions are released to use the gift that God has called them to exercise.’ Nathan, 47, who wrote the popular song Lift up His Name when he was just 17, added: ‘There will always be a need for more songs and hymns and we hope many will be inspired to craft them.’

For two visitors in every five, this was the first CRE they had ever attended. One of them was Ellen Andrews, a children and family worker at Biggleswade Baptist Church. ‘The song-writing workshop looked interesting,’ she said. ‘I have not thought of writing a song before, but it has inspired me to think more about doing so.’

A series of more than 40 talks and presentations covered fundraising, faith sharing, bereavement support, social media, church security – and much, much more.

The exhibition was opened by Daniel Cutting, 10 times Guinness football freestyle world champion. Also a youth leader in his local church, Daniel declared the exhibition open while bouncing a football on his head, knee, foot and arms.

‘I was surprised at the amazing range of subjects and equipment covered at this event,’ he said. ‘The friendliness of stand holders and visitors was wonderful.’

There were a number of new exhibitors, including Liverpool-based Nick Radcliffe, who gave up his practice as a GP to produce eye-catching Christian posters.

‘This is the first time I have had a stand at an exhibition, but it has fully justified my decision to give up being a doctor,’ he said. ‘I have had so many conversations and sold a good number of posters.’

The Rev Simon Faulks, a 56-year-old Anglican priest in Bletchley, was also enthusiastic about the number of people interested in his workshops on storytelling and circus illusions. ‘I have chatted to lots of people and was delighted to be here,’ he said.

The event returns to Sandown Park in Esher, Surrey (15-16 Oct) where it will celebrate 40 years as the UK’s biggest and longest-running exhibition of resources for churches.

CRE 2025

To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk

Open a meaningful window of faith for children

There is one outstanding reason why people do not believe in God – when it is absent from their education as children.

So says Dr Aiyana Willard, a psychologist from Brunel University, where two surveys were carried out recently to find out what was behind lack of belief in God.

‘Not learning to be religious is what counts,’ Dr Aiyana Willard said. Those who did not see their parents participate in religion, or were not taught about religion, tended to be atheist.

David Marshall, from the Meaningful Chocolate Company, said: ‘It seems that if children are not told about God or hear the stories which inspire faith, then they are more likely to be atheist. We aim to play our part in reversing the trend.’

The company’s 2024 Real Advent Calendar comes with a 24-page copy of the Christmas Story and includes challenges such as supporting charities and saying a prayer.

‘Giving a Real Advent Calendar opens the minds of children and parents to the possibility of faith as they learn more about the Christmas Story over the 24 days of Advent,’ said David.

• The Real Advent Calendar will be on sale at the 10ofThose bookshop (stand D1) at CRE 24

CRE 2025

To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk

A new high for recovering addicts

In every congregation there are active addicts too scared to talk about their problem – but help is at hand.

‘We are a healing community with a holistic approach,’ said Yeldall Manor’s Chris Wood. ‘We help them speak out and start to heal.’

Yeldall is a residential drug and alcohol recovery centre near Reading. All the residents went away to the Brecon Beacons recently for a three-night stay of activities and team building.

‘Recovery from addiction has many facets – not least, enjoying life without drugs and alcohol,’ explained Chris. ‘Our residents, ranging from early-20s to mid-60s, took part in gorge walking, high ropes and zip wire, kayaking, caving and climbing Pen-y-Fan, the highest peak in the south of the UK.’

One resident said that it was his first-ever holiday and worth a month of therapy.

‘A happy recovery cannot be achieved alone or without God,’ said Chris. ‘The residents with a faith felt uplifted and those who are still searching took a few more steps towards knowing the Jesus that saves and sustains.’

Chris believes we all know an addict, whether it’s a parent, husband, wife or sibling.

‘Addiction isn’t something to be ashamed of and needs to be recognised as the biggest destroyer of lives in the UK today,’ he said. ‘Please come and talk to me at CRE.’

• Yeldall Manor are on stand P25 at CRE 24

Main photo: Recovering addicts scaling Pen-y-Fan

CRE 2025

To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk

We’ve been reaching out all summer long

Christian summer camps are a space and place where people encounter God.

That’s the experience of Transform Europe Network (TEN), part of Mission on the Map at CRE 24.

‘Our heart is to come alongside indigenous leaders in Eastern Europe and the Balkans and see lives transformed through compassion, evangelism and church planting,’ said TEN’s Lucy Reid.

One of TEN’s partners, Alban Krasniqi, who leads Youth for Christ Kosovo, shared how transformational summer camps can be in his local context.

‘Most of the young attendees were of the Muslim Faith,’ reported Alban, ‘with many experiencing a Christian camp for the first time and others returning for the third time. These camps are crucial. We see transformation in those who attend multiple times, as they become more open to discussing and sharing their lives and are more receptive to the gospel and its message.’

One of the organisation’s TEN teamers, Ellen,17, from Northern Ireland, shared about her experience this year at Camp Fokus.

‘The group I was with provided unwavering support, engaging conversations, and inspiring testimonies of God’s work in their lives,’ she said.

‘If you are interested in joining one of our TENteams trips next summer,’ said TEN’s Lucy Reid, ‘or as a church would be interested in organising a trip to Eastern Europe and the Balkans, please visit us at the TEN stand at CRE or contact the organisation at tenteams@ten-uk.org.’

• Transform Europe Network (TEN) are on stand P45 at CRE 24

Main photo: TEN team selfie in Split

CRE 2025

To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk

Safeguarding Sunday: ‘Let’s be open about what we’ve got wrong’

Churches will be encouraged to be more transparent about their safeguarding practices as part of next month’s Safeguarding Sunday (17 Nov).

Promoted by independent Christian safeguarding charity Thirtyone:eight, who are exhibiting at CRE 24, churches will reflect on where they may have got things wrong in the past, think about how they are supporting those who have been hurt or harmed and highlight and celebrate all the good work that is being done behind the scenes to protect vulnerable people.

Peter Wright, Thirtyone:eight’s head of communications and campaign lead, said: ‘It’s time to have open and honest conversations about what we’ve got wrong and what we’re getting right. It’s a chance to listen and talk together about how we can effectively prevent abuse and create a Church where everyone can feel and be safe.”

To take part Churches can register for a free digital resource pack at safeguardingsunday.org which makes running a service easy, including, prayers, sermon notes, activity ideas, children’s resources and loads more.

Thirtyone:eight’s safeguarding accreditation scheme, to enable churches to raise safety standards, will also be a focus on the Thirtyone:eight stand at CRE 24. The first-of-its-kind, the scheme enables UK-based churches, charities and organisations to independently verify and demonstrate their commitment to creating safer places for all.

Leigh McFarlane, public policy and research manager for Thirtyone:eight, said: ‘With more than 168,000 registered charities in England and Wales, and over 28,000 in Scotland, the need to demonstrate compliance and a commitment to safer practice is vital so that those who engage with them can have full confidence that they will be properly protected from harm or abuse.’

• Thirtyone:eight are on stand B19 at CRE 24

CRE 2025

To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk