Your church service, beamed worldwide
More than 500 churches now reach audiences in 228 countries and territories – thanks to Church Services TV (CSTV).
David Harvey, a director of the company, said: ‘Our streaming services help parishes reach housebound parishioners, people living in nursing homes or abroad or those just feeling lonely. They can stay connected with their own church or find new churches online.
‘CSTV was designed for non-technical users and can be remotely controlled from smart phones or tablets. This means authorised church personnel can turn the system on or off, set up schedules and recordings and track viewer statistics.
‘We provide embedded players on church websites and also on Facebook and YouTube automatically, making CSTV the most versatile and user-friendly application available.
‘We believe our range of services will far outstrip anything else available to your parish and, in our opinion, is the most comprehensive package available. We work with churches, taking them through every step of the process to make sure they are confident and happy with our top-level service.’
• Church Services TV will be on stand E8 at CRE 2024
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
Fellinghams, Jones and Bowater to lead worship strand at CRE 2024
Musical maestro Roger Jones will join fellow worship leaders Chris Bowater (pictured above) and Lou and Nathan Fellingham at CRE 2024.
Roger became a Christian in the late 1960s through the work of Christian Endeavour but his vision to write musicals began as head teacher at Aston Manor School (now an Academy) in 1973. The school choir performed Jerusalem Joy – a performance he wrote around Jesus’ ride into the holy city on a donkey.
He then wrote five more musicals before going full time into Christian music, becoming director of Christian Music Ministries, publishers of his music and other books. Birmingham-born, Roger also hosts Heart and Soul, a two-hour weekly programme on Brumside Radio, presenting church music. In between, he chats to guests.
‘CRE Midlands in November 23 was a huge success!’ said Roger. ‘So many folks and so churches came together, meeting and sharing with each other. I’m sure CRE 2024 at Milton Keynes will be just as great an occasion.’
Lou and Nathan Fellingham are tireless in their pursuit to write and record powerful songs that lift heads and stir hearts. An internationally-known worship leader, Lou has recorded 10 albums and is known for her prophetic edge and distinctive voice. Part of Emmanuel Church in Brighton, the Fellinghams are actively involved in leading worship there. An accomplished musician, Nathan is also a producer, speaker, pianist and writer. His passion is to combine rich theology with soulful melody.
For nearly 50 years Chris Bowater has been at the heart of the contemporary worship revolution in churches in the UK and many other countries across the world. He is constantly seeking to explore the cutting edge of music and his albums have reflected the strong classical, hymnology and jazz influences of his roots as well as his desire to maintain the best of musical and lyricist traditions.
Chris served on team as worship pastor at New Life Church, Lincoln, now Alive Church and more recently as senior pastor at New Life Church, Sleaford. He lives in Market Harborough and is currently part of the Market Harborough Community Church.
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
‘Impossible dream’ comes true, 117,000 times and counting
Flying over Malawi in 1998, Steven Loots prayed that every village and town he saw through the aeroplane window could have a church with a pastor and mission to reach others.
‘The words uttered in that tiny plane gave birth to a vision of such magnitude that at first I thought it was an impossible dream,’ Steven explained. ‘But slowly, as I prayed over and over, asking the Lord for these small African villages, he confirmed what I was to do for the next few decades.’
Harvesters began by working with established churches, led by faithful men and women who could initiate church planting in the surrounding areas. These churches, known as hubs, were used to train people to share their faith and disciple others.
The Hub Church Planting Model took shape in Lilongwe, Malawi and Chingola, Zambia, with just one person in each place. The first year saw 27 new churches, and by the third year, 125 new churches had been established through evangelism and discipleship.
Harvesters Ministries has now blossomed from a small family enterprise to a global movement with offices and staff spread over five continents. As of early 2024, more than 117,000 churches have been planted, 34,000 student pastors are enrolled, and Harvesters is operating in more than 85 countries, teaching its curriculum in over 64 languages.
‘The huge numbers are exciting,’ said Steven, ‘but best of all is the fact that you can go to a small church in a village far from the city and find believers who are being discipled, who love God and who read and study the word of God and apply it, and then lead other people to Christ and disciple them.’
After 20 years pastoring churches in Wales and Cornwall, Glen Chaplin (see video interview below) became manager of Harvesters UK and will be on the organisation’s stand at CRE 2024.
‘I was on a church mission team and worked with Harvesters Ministries to plant churches in Brazil and Mozambique,’ he said. ‘It was a logical move to take up a role in such a wonderful worldwide mission. From pastoring one church, I now have a role in helping hundreds!’
In 2024, Harvesters aims to plant an additional 35,000 churches, continuing to train pastors, win converts, make disciples and deliver God’s word. At CRE 2024 you will find out how your church can get involved.
‘We are humbly grateful God’s grace and favour,’ said Steven. ‘And now we invite you to journey with us, pray for us and support us – for the work is not done.’
Harvesters are on stand P23 at CRE 2024
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkypPOnatQU
Main photo: Harvesters’ Glen Chaplin is interviewed by Elliott Frisby of Monkeynut Audiobooks at CRE Midlands 23
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
Trust has high hopes for Highgate House
A high-quality Christian conference centre in Northamptonshire will open this summer.
Highgate House, a new member of the Christian Conference Trust (CCT) family, is a former coaching inn dating from 1663. It has been transformed into an exclusive space for Christian groups to experience residential ministry. With 81 en-suite bedrooms, the venue can accommodate up to 159 adults and 30 children, making it ideal for exclusive-use events.
CCT, an exhibitor at October’s CRE 2024 in Milton Keynes, also run High Leigh in Hertfordshire and The Hayes in Derbyshire. Equipped with large meeting halls, fully catered services and being centrally located, Highgate House will help meet the significant demand from Christian groups for affordable, quality conferencing.
By launching a third centre, the trust will offer 30 per cent more space for Christian groups to benefit from rates that are on average half the price of commercial venues.* This affordability, combined with the warm and friendly Christian welcome synonymous with High Leigh and The Hayes, makes Highgate House a great quality option for those seeking a home-from-home for conferences and group retreats.
John Heasman, chief executive of CCT, said: ‘Having served more than eight million believers since 1910, we are thrilled to announce the opening of Highgate House, our third centre dedicated to serving the church in fellowship and growth. As a not-for-profit charity, we exist to see Christian ministry flourish and believe this new addition will provide a unique and affordable space for groups to gather together and strengthen their faith.’
Highgate House is now accepting bookings and groups are encouraged to secure their space as soon as possible. With wide-open availability, churches and Christian organisations can lock in their preferred dates for this year and 2025.
For booking inquiries and more information, please visit cct.org.uk
* Average saving based on analysis of the per-person midweek price quoted by 22 commercial conferencing venues located within a 90-minute drive of CCT venues on a like-for-like basis. Based on Christian group pricing for events taking place in Spring 2024. Source: CRNet Venuefinder.
The Christian Conference Trust (CCT) will be on stand A6 at CRE 2024
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
Picture caption: Highgate House, a new member of the Christian Conference Trust (CCT) family
Pop-up shop pioneers set for CRE debut
Churches without a regular bookshop can install a pop-up version – thanks to an organisation exhibiting at CRE 2024 (Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes, 9-10 Oct) for the first time.
10ofthose offer help to churches wanting to distribute good quality Christian books at a competitive price.
‘I was excited to get a role in a mission-based company helping people find books at a reasonable price that explain the Christian faith,’ said John Robb (pictured), who joined the company 13 years ago. ‘We sell books online or arrange for a bookstall with a range of appropriate titles for a church or special event, such as a conference. We have opportunities to sell at large events such as the Keswick Convention, as well as smaller conferences and one-off stalls in local churches.’
Early on in the company’s existence, it sold books and offered 10 copies of one title at a discount price – to enable churches to buy in bulk at a cheaper price. Special offers on individual titles are still a feature.
The company also has a publishing arm. Authors of biographies, children’s books or short manuscripts that can be used for evangelism, are invited to contact the company with a view to having them published.
Jonathan and Roger Carswell set up 10ofthose to help provide biblical books which were easily understood. Jonathan loves putting solid Christian books in the hands of believers as well as those who haven’t yet come to faith. And his love for good books is infectious.
‘We’re a ministry that hand picks the best books that hold to the Bible, then we discount them so more can go out,’ said Jonathan. ‘We use our profits to support missions around the world. We are passionate about what we recommend because we know that, if books point to Jesus, they can totally change a life. We have experienced that in our own lives and we want people to discover that in theirs, too!’
The company will be at CRE 2024 (Marshall Centre, Milton Keynes Oct 9-10). A wide range of books, suitable for all stages of Christian development, will be available and staff will also be on hand to advise on specific publications.
10ofthose will be on stand D1 at CRE 2024
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
BySimon
CRE 2024: Welcome!
CRE 2024 is taking place at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes (MK1 1ST) on 9-10 Oct 2024.
Join hundreds of local church leaders, officers and anyone involved in Christian work and ministry, in a day of discovery – of new ideas and resources, specialist advice and inspirational worship and teaching.
Find all the details about CRE 24 here: Exhibition handbook
And find our handy travel guide here: Getting to CRE 24
More than 150 exhibitors
More than 150 organisations will be waiting to meet you, offering everything from contactless card machines to customised keyboards, heating to seating, clergy clothing to communion wine. CRE provides you with a great context for networking and creative thinking. It really is your one-stop shop for church supplies, resources and ideas.
Find a complete listing of exhibitors here: Who’s exhibiting?
Talks programme
The exhibition also features a packed talks programme, with dozens of presentations by national experts offering practical advice on a range of subjects – from fundraising to faith-sharing, holiday clubs to homelessness.
Find all the talks here: Talks programme at CRE 24
Church poster
For this year’s CRE, we’ve produced an A4 poster for churches planning to visit the exhibition.
Download and print out your poster here!
CRE 2024 opening times
• Wednesday 9 October 2024 – 10am-5pm
• Thursday 10 October 2024 – 10am-4.30pm
Tickets
Tickets are available here! Tickets are £4 if booked in advance (£3 each for groups of 3 or more) and £8 on the door.
Getting there
The Marshall Arena is next to Stadium MK and is seven minutes from Junction 13 of the M1, and 10 minutes from Junction 14. If you’re travelling by train, the three closest stations are Milton Keynes Central, Bletchley and Fenny Stratford.
Download our handy guide to Getting to CRE 24, with full travel details!
The venue address: Marshall Arena, Stadium Way West, Milton Keynes MK1 1ST.
Milton Keynes is built on a grid system of H Roads (horizontal) and V roads (vertical). The Marshall Arena is between V6 Grafton Street and V7 Saxon Street.
Parking
There are 1,450 parking spaces around Stadium MK, so plenty to choose from.
We look forward to welcoming you to CRE 2024!
Putting mission on the map in Europe
Get involved in what God is doing in the wider world – that’s the message from Transform Europe Network (TEN).
‘We believe seeing what God is doing in another country can really inspire the UK church,’ said TEN’s Melanie Griffiths. TEN’s projects include:
For the Nations
This is a free six-week small group resource to get churches excited about mission. It includes two online sessions where those taking part will connect with Christians in Eastern Europe.
TENteams
TEN is running two short team trips to Albania and Croatia in 2024 and looking for team members. These are: Albania women’s trip 2-9May, to help new Christians learn to read the Bible and to pray. Croatia kids’ camp in July 2024 (dates tbc).
Church teams
An opportunity for your church to send a team to help our partners in Eastern Europe and the Balkans with English classes, kids’ camps (pictured) or evangelism. ‘We can connect you with a partner and help you plan and run trip training for you,’ said Melanie Griffiths.
TENteach
We are looking to recruit new teachers to teach English online to students in Eastern Europe, using Bible stories.
You will meet Nick Clarke, who coordinates our TENteach project, on the TENstand in Mission on the Map at CRE Midlands.
Photo above: A Transform Europe Network kids’ camp in full flow.
Try the ‘me and eucharist’ seven-piece sampler at CRE Midlands
Birmingham pastor Bayo Oniye and his wife Bakang, who started their own company creating easy-to-use communion containers, will give away a free sample pack (seven pieces) at next week’s CRE Midlands (8/9 Nov, Cranmore Park, Solihull).
Holding a Masters’ degree in medical engineering, Bayo sold hip and knee replacements to orthopaedic surgeons before becoming co-pastor with his wife Bakang, a pharmacist, at Five Grace Church in Birmingham.
‘I was at a conference where the visiting speaker used a similar, all-in-one-system and realised how useful it was,’ he explained. ‘When I contacted the company I heard nothing, so I decided to create my own, much-improved product.’
Together they started mmeyou – ‘a combination of two words — Me and You – from the words of our Lord Jesus: “This is My body (Me) which is broken for you (you).”’ The prefilled (all-in-one or separate) communion cups of red grape juice have a choice of packaged communion cracker or wafer.
‘Our vision is to serve the local church with a great tasting and hygienically-packaged product, especially important after Covid-19,’ said Bayo. ‘These are Holy Communion elements made from 100 per cent natural ingredients – ideal for individuals, families, small groups, churches and people taking part in services online. No matter how small or great your needs, we are here for you.’
Bayo believes mmeyou products are particularly useful for pastors taking communion in people’s homes.
‘While our containers have a large tag for opening purposes there is also a special pack for people who find it difficult to open the containers with the wafer in a small pouch,’ he explained.
Bakang, who looks after quality control, ensures there are no chemical preservatives in the drinks. There is also up to 100 per cent more drink (7ml of red grape juice per cup) than similar products, with a long shelf-life – eight months from manufacture. The cups can also be recycled.
• mmeyou are on stand DS5 at CRE Midlands 2023
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
Giving online? Keep an eye on those transaction rates!
More than half (56 per cent) of people donating to churches using online options choose to cover the transaction fee, according to research from CRE exhibitor iKnow Church.
By covering the transaction fee, the donor chooses to pay a little extra, meaning the charity will get 100 per cent of the donation – and it will cost the church nothing to process it.
‘During the pandemic, with offering baskets confined to the cupboards, many churches instigated online giving – often for the first time,’ explained iKnow Church’s Kyle Cottington. ‘People could now donate via the church website at any time, day or night. The money usually appeared in the church bank account within a few days. However, with online donations, there is the added consideration of the processing and platform fees involved with transaction rates. Some providers charge up to five per cent per donation.’
The transaction rate from iKnow Church is already one of the lowest, but by covering donation fees the average transaction rate from May to July 2022 was just 0.97 per cent per donation – with an average donation of £105.
‘Based on 56 per cent covering donation fees, a church which received 500 donations totalling £50,000 over the course of the year could save over £600, if the fee is two per cent,’ said Kyle. ‘Compared to a 3.6 per cent fee the saving is more than £1,300 per year – enough to buy a decent keyboard, noticeboard or a good supply of coffee for the congregation and community!’
Star Trek fan announces bold voyages for Faith Experiment
Two healthcare scientists are determined to help those who believe their discipline rules out God.
They have created The Faith Experiment, a series of interactive, family-friendly sessions for young people and adults of any ability. It will be promoted on their stand at next week’s CRE Midlands (8/9 Nov).
‘We look at perceived conflicts between established science and the Christian faith and discuss how we might reconcile the two,’ said Matt Gardner. A huge Star Trek fan as a child, Matt achieved registration as a clinical scientist in 2014. Two years later he became a Christian, after spending years pondering the purpose of life.
He met Davinder, also a healthcare scientist, at an event celebrating the International Day of Medical Physics. They married in 2019 and are both now directors of Faith in Science of which The Faith Experiment is part. They began the experiment during their engagement and presented the first pilot course in 2018.
‘We also aim to help those who struggle to reconcile the Christian faith with current scientific thinking – probing vital questions,’ said Matt. ‘Can science and God co-exist? Does it matter that the Bible largely lacks scientific detail? Can science answer all the questions which matter to us?’
The couple will be available to chat to visitors at CRE about the courses they run and how they can help youngsters who are puzzled by problems posed by science. They are also running an online taster event on January 15 2024 and want to explore the possibility of sharing other workshops in local churches.
• Faith in Science are on stand P55 at CRE Midlands 23
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands