Last chance to nominate your volunteer of the year
You have until this Friday (26 July) to nominate your volunteer of the year, as part of the new Benefact Group Charity Heroes Awards.
Supported by CRE 24 exhibitor Ecclesiastical, the awards are designed to celebrate and support people working tirelessly to make positive change. They are open to charities and not-for-profits, including churches, based in the UK and Ireland. The winners will be awarded £5,000 and runners up £1,000.
With six categories, churches are invited to apply here via a quick and simple form. Here are the awards, and what the judges are looking for:
Volunteer of the year – Volunteers who have gone over and above, making positive impact for charities, dedicating their time and energy to a great cause
Climate action project – Charities which have inspired and motivated action to tackle the climate crisis
Local community initiative – A project which has reached the heart of a local community to tackle a local issue
Digital fundraising initiative – Inspiring digital fundraising which has created new sources of income and motivated supporters
Small charity, big impact – A small charity (with a turnover of less than £1m) that has made a big impact
Charity leader of the year – A charity CEO or other senior leader who is a role model for others by championing a cause and inspiring change
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on Thu 28 Nov. An additional colleagues’ choice award will also be announced during the ceremony.
Helen Richards, church operations director at Ecclesiastical, part of the Benefact Group, said: ‘We are delighted to support the volunteer of the year award as part of the launch of Benefact Group’s Charity Heroes Awards 2024. This new awards programme celebrates and supports charities and churches working tirelessly to make positive change.
‘Ecclesiastical is proud to be part of Benefact Group, a family of award-winning specialist financial services companies and the third largest corporate donor to charity in the UK. Owned by a charity ourselves, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do. All our available profits go to good causes and the more our group grows, the more we can give.’
• Ecclesiastical are on stand A1 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Worship without the worry: simple, affordable solutions from CCLI
Through a growing number of carefully-selected partnerships, CCLI now offers a whole range of solutions for churches – from worship software to tracks, apps to administration tools.
‘Traditionally, visitors have approached our stand at CRE with questions only about copyright and licensing,’ explained CCLI’s Rich Burrough. ‘But last year marked a significant change, with the introduction of the CCLI Family. A logical next step from copyright licensing has been to empower churches with content that can be used under those licences. Now we want to provide time-saving applications and tools that enhance church services and activities where that content is used. Our DNA is to serve the church and that’s what the CCLI Family is all about.’
First to join was WorshipTools, a small team of software developers who are all involved in worship in their local churches. Central to WorshipTools’ vision is that their applications can be used for free. Having started with Presenter, which is simple, yet fully-featured presentation software, WorshipTools now provides online planning and church database management applications appropriately called Planning and Community, as well as a digital music stand app called Charts.
‘All WorshipTools applications are built with the needs of churches in mind,’ explained Rich, ‘they’re easy to learn and connect seamlessly together, saving time. And, of course, they can all can be used free, forever!’
With the growing adoption of tracks in worship, their next partnership was with Loop Community. Loop provides a range of track solutions, from sophisticated multitracks that can supplement the sound of larger worship teams, to simple Lite tracks, designed for congregations who may not have any musicians available.
‘All tracks are easily customisable, either online, or using Loop’s free Prime App,’ said Rich, ‘making them a more flexible alternative to backing tracks.’
The latest member of the family will be introduced at CRE 2024. Sunday Sounds provides quality patches and templates for keyboards. As sound designers and worship musicians, Sunday Sounds’ team understands the needs and challenges faced by worship keyboard players. As well as their library of sounds and song-specific patches, Sunday Sounds’ solutions include apps, software and hardware to help keys players.
‘Just as CCLI grew out of the need for copyright solutions, the CCLI Family is about providing simple, affordable solutions to the challenges faced by today’s churches,’ said Rich. ‘And not just churches with technical know-how and big budgets. We believe we have solutions for every church, no matter their means.’
And they’re not stopping there!
‘We hope to have something very new and exciting to introduce at CRE 24, which a growing number of our customers have been asking for,’ said Rich. ‘Want to know what it is? Come and meet us in Milton Keynes!’
• CCLI are on stand C42 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Aintree Baptist: scaling the planning application hurdles
Making personal, face-to-face contact with experts in their field is the unique value of CRE – as Rev Geoff Bentley of Aintree Baptist Church, Liverpool found out last year.
He met Mark Newall, director of BCHN Architects, at CRE 23 in Solihull. Their conversation led to the company being invited to plan the remodelling of the Victorian era building.
‘We are now progressing the design towards a planning application via our collaborative design process,’ said Mark. The whole congregation has been involved in the planning process with company experts holding a series of meetings to determine individual church members’ views.
Original thoughts of demolishing the building had been put forward before but these were rejected by the Liverpool planning department. BCHN were asked to remodel the present building, demolish existing extensions and create a new development to include a meeting hall for at least 200 people, various smaller meeting rooms, a reception area, office and foyer café, along with storage areas.
The new plans include redeveloping the present building to two stories, without overlooking adjacent properties, and working out how visitors can park either in the church car park or other nearby areas.
‘It was a long process as we wanted the whole church, neighbours and other stakeholders to be satisfied with the final plans,’ said Mark. ‘We hope to make the planning application in August.’
Based in Shrewsbury, BCHN Architects began life in 1963 as Leonard Baart Associates and has evolved through various changes until becoming BCHN Architects in 2023 following the merger of Baart Harries Newall and Bott Cruise Architects.
‘The collaborative relationship we form with our clients is central to the way we work, with dialogue at the heart of everything we do,’ said Mark.
Pastor Bentley, who took over the leadership of the church in 2017, situated near the historic site of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase, said: ‘We are seeing the closure of many churches and other publicly accessible buildings, but we are growing numerically. We can serve the community in a wider and more effective ways if we have the facilities to support these tasks.’
‘Our job was to provide those facilities and in consultation with the church, that is what has happened,’ said Mark.
• BCHN Architects are on stand F5 at CRE 24
Photo: Members of Aintree Baptist Church consider plans to modernise their church.
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Get some sound advice from CRE first timers
From a single lectern microphone to a full sound system with lighting and screens, MTS Live can meet the needs of your church, however big or small.
‘With dynamic lighting and video wall, we were able to create a fantastic party atmosphere for the 20,000-plus visitors to the Big Church Festival,’ said Keith Forster, who launched MTS Live in 2006. ‘And what we did for that event can be done on a smaller scale to make church services easier to understand.’
Based in Oldham, the company, which will exhibit and provide technical resources to CRE 24 for the first time, is heavily involved in providing sound, lighting, video and staging for major conferences, awards shows, exhibitions, festivals and community events. It also has a busy installation department. Alongside the company’s more commercial work it offers support, both practical and financial, to churches and other Christian organisations. A good example would be their continuing work for The Message Trust.
‘We cover the vast majority of their UK events, everything from a small PA system for a day’s work in school or prison, through to larger conferences and outreach gigs as well as completing extensive installation work at their HQ in Manchester,’ explained Keith.
‘Our in-depth professional knowledge and wide-ranging experience allows us to calmly and flexibly meet the demands of our varied clients.’
When The Ark, Isleham moved the growing church to a green oak building outside the village, MTS Live created a full 3D visualisation of the space so the design could be viewed and changes made before any installation work. The MTS Live experts assisted The Ark’s team with the installation, programming and commissioning of the lighting system.
‘We look forward to talking to church leaders at CRE 24 about any problems they may have with their systems,’ said Keith. ‘It will be our first visit to the exhibition and we know that visitors will find us receptive to any problem or proposal. There is nothing that our skilled team will not be able to solve!’
• MTS Live are on stand P32 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
From pass the plate to tap the app
The brand-new Tap To Give contactless app from iKnow Church is now available, allowing people to donate by simply tapping their bank card or their own phone against the phone with the iKnow giving app installed.
The money is then securely transferred from donor to church bank account.
iKnow Church is one of the first organisations in the UK to develop a contactless app of this kind, beating many secular donation platforms. With a smartphone all that is required, specialist contactless-giving hardware does not need to be purchased. Many contactless solutions charge a subscription but the iKnow app can save the church an additional monthly payment as it is included as part of the iKnow Church package of resources.
Since the soft launch of the app, iKnow has found the average donation to churches using contactless giving is £8.89 with donations given so far starting at just £1 and going up to £100.
‘Before the global pandemic many churches still had a sizable number of donations given through cheques and cash placed in the offering basket,’ explained iKnow’s Kyle Cottington. ‘Situations surrounding Covid-19 quickly pushed giving to online where donations could be made digitally 24/7, through online banking or website forms. For many people, habits have changed following the pandemic and the amount of people who carry cash continues to decrease.’
Andrea Best of New Life Bible Church, said: ‘As a small church, we were pleased to be able to download the iKnow Church app via our mobile phones, which was easy to set up alongside our iKnow software. Having used it at church, everything went smoothly and individuals were very receptive to using it. Thanks for making this facility available!’
‘We’ve received fantastic feedback from churches using the app,’ said Chris Gibson of iKnow Church ‘Many are surprised at just how easy it is to set up and start receiving contactless donations.’
iKnow Church offer administration software developed just for churches to help with administration, pastoral care and finances. Used by churches in different denominations it was also selected as the Church of England Partner for Administration Software.
• iKnow Church will be at stand F1 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
CRE Podcast launched: riding Ripple Effect’s wave of change
An interview with Ann Hatton, of leading charity Ripple Effect, is the first in a series of new podcasts highlighting the work of key CRE exhibitors.
Formed in 1998 under the original title Send a Cow, the organisation helps farmers and families in six east African countries discover the benefits of growing their own food and passing on the skills learned to others.
‘Our three key targets are to help sustainable farming, social development and business management,’ she explains.
Ann (above), who has been connected with the charity for more than 20 years, got involved with the charity because she wanted to play her part in trying to end global poverty. In the podcast she relates how CRE is a key platform at which she can introduce church leaders and individuals to the work of Ripple Effect.
Supporting garden planning, for instance, enables a family in rural Africa to create a small kitchen garden which will provide three meals a day for a family. It also enables the family to introduce others to the scheme. Families learn to build productive farms and adapt to the effect of the climate crisis. People with different needs and abilities get a greater voice and influence in their communities and farmers learn enterprise skills to become resilient entrepreneurs.
‘We are delighted to make Ripple Effect our first showcase podcast,’ said CRE event director Brett Pitchfork. ‘While we are constantly promoting news from our exhibitors in CRE News, over the next few months the CRE Podcast will provide an opportunity for a deep dive into several organisations across the many vertical sectors on the exhibition floor.’
• Ripple Effect are on stand F23 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
40 up! Open Bible Trust look forward to next chapter
The Open Bible Trust will hold a service of thanksgiving next week to celebrate 40 years in operation (2pm, Sat 13 July, St Stephen’s Church, Upper Basildon, Reading, RG8 8LS).
It was early in 1984 that eight friends, who had met on Christian holidays, shared their concern at the decline in bible study in churches – and lack of accessible resources.
‘There were plenty of good daily reading notes and many excellent deeper commentaries, but there seemed few resources for that intermediate level,’ explained Michael Penny (above), one of the eight. The friends decided to do something about it and the Open Bible Trust was born. In April 1984 the first issue of Search magazine came out, to be followed two months later by the second edition, accompanied by a bible study booklet – a pattern which has continued for 40 years.
Penny was the trust’s first administrator and editor before moving to the USA in 1991 to pastor a church, where he set up a sister organisation to work with the OBT. He returned to the UK in 1999 and in 2007 took up the reigns of administrator and editor once again.
‘It has been a great 40 years,’ he said, ‘and we have so much to thank the Lord for. St Stephen’s is a lovely church set in the countryside of West Berkshire, an area of outstanding natural beauty, and there is plenty of parking. Everyone is welcome.’
Michael pointed out that, as well as publishing the bi-monthly magazine and booklets, there have also been extra booklets and books – so much so that the trust now has more than 400 publications, all available in print and as eBooks.
‘Thanks to companies like Amazon and Apple, these are available is many countries of the world,’ he added.
From bible studies on videos and then DVDs, OBT now produce material on YouTube, with more than 320 videos currently available. Studies once on cassettes and then CDs are now on the OBT podcast channel.
‘One of our best series is six podcasts on Exploring Ecclesiastes,’ said Penny. ‘An Old Testament book so relevant to the affluent 21st century!’
What of the next 40 years?
‘Only the Lord knows,’ said Penny. ‘I won’t be around for all of it!’
• The Open Bible Trust are on stand A21 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Let your phone be your guide
Visitors to two churches in Oxfordshire can now benefit from a digital guide to the buildings and ministries.
The first Info Point system installed in the diocese is at St Mary the Virgin in Great Milton. A tour of the building can be streamed on a mobile phone and includes details of the recently restored and significant 17th century Dormer Monument and an unusual church organ in the vicar’s stall.
Great Milton’s neighbouring church, St Peter’s in Great Haseley, Oxfordshire, loved the idea and held a launch event in April to reveal their interactive, 10-stop church tour.
Simon Cronk, Rector of Great Milton, Little Milton and Great Haseley, said: ‘Our Info Point is just the first step in our church eventually getting more in tune with the expectations of the 21st century. We already have an excellent guide book but we can now compare favourably with some of the country’s well-visited places for innovative interpretation. This will be appreciated by the local residents as well as our visitors.’
St Michael’s and All Angels Church in Kingsland will be the third Herefordshire church to install an Info Point (with a further three more to follow later this year). The Info Point includes a church tour with behind the scene videos of bellringers and the organist, plus a fun children’s trail with quizzes, puzzles and a word search.
Dan Boys, MD of Derbyshire-based Info Point, said that the system is the ideal way for a church to help people understand important features of a church as well as providing fun activities for children – all of which do not require the church to have personnel on duty. There is also a solar-powered version available.
• Info Point are on stand P18 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Your event: off to a great start with Genesis
Energetic visitors to this year’s Spring Harvest availed themselves of neon green sweatbands bearing the legend Big Start Boot Camp – 5000 of which were produced by CRE 24 exhibitor Genesis UK.
Now one of the UK’s leading producers of personalised items, the company originally sold surfboards in Tywyn on the mid-Wales coast before printing while-you-wait t-shirts in 1975. It is now one of the UK’s most experienced wholesalers of printed and embroidered garments, providing a massive range of tee shirt styles, hoodies, polo shirts (available also in Fairtrade and organic cotton), plus clothing for work, sport and catering.
‘We are always looking for innovative products to give customers the best available,’ said managing director Wayne Griffith. ‘They are available for individuals who want a one-off product or a number of items that include details publicising a local church event, for example.’
Genesis UK will be at CRE 24 when visitors can discover their organic tee shirts, recycled polo shirts, school and college leavers hoodies, work uniforms, race and event t-shirts, children’s garments and much, much more – printed or embroidered to their design.
‘You will be able to browse our extensive range of promotional products which can feature church or company logos – including pens, lanyards, mugs, banners, key fobs, keyrings, magnets, stickers, drinks bottles, to name just a few,’ said Griffith.
• Genesis UK Ltd are on stand C37 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk
Free place on mentoring course for friends of CRE
A charity helping thousands of Christians learn how to help others is offering churches a free place on a mentoring course.
Alistair and Debbie Welford set up Nicodemus after visiting Guatemala and encountering former street children slipping back into living on the streets. Identifying mentors and pairing them with the youngsters prevented many from reverting to their former habits.
The scheme has since enabled mentors in UK churches help new disciples and develop a relationship with the people with whom they work – in feeding programmes, with the homeless, or those needing to escape the poverty trap.
‘We now want to offer churches the opportunity to send one person for a free foundational specialist mentoring course so that they can then encourage their churches to send others on the course,’ said Alistair. The course costs from £59 to £53 per person depending on the number of licenses required.
Churches can register for the free course online here, using the offer code CRE24. The charity currently supports 200 churches in the UK and 500 in Latin America. It has recently moved into the USA and Canada.
The training website identifies many other supporting courses such as child sexual exploitation, gangs and grooming awareness – issues mentors may encounter.
‘A Community Consultation Guide for churches has also proved to be a great evangelistic tool – giving the church a large “tick” from the community and producing data which can be used to show the need if making funding applications,’ Alistair added.
A space for church retreats is also available at the charity’s Manor Barn, south of Stratford-on-Avon.
• Nicodemus will be on Stand P34 at CRE 24
CRE 2025
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk