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ByDave Hall

Living and Telling: New resource turns ‘scary’ evangelism on its head

A major video-based training course, designed to envision and equip Christians to share their faith naturally  as a way of life, will be launched at CRE National 2019.

The initiative goes back to 2007 when Tim Moyler (pictured) of CRE National 2019 exhibitor Agapé UK decided to run a version of a Living & Telling course developed first by David Wilson, also of Agapé UK.

‘I was hearing story after story of young people going to university and falling away from their faith,’ said Tim. ‘I was passionate that this wouldn’t happen to my own kids and other young people in the church. I adapted the course for school leavers. It was just a small group but one of them is now in the leadership team of a church plant in Exeter, another leading a national movement amongst students in the UK.’ 

In the autumn of 2008, Tim, who lives in Woodbury in Devon, connected with Dave Pegg and together they ran Living & Telling in Exeter. Although pitched at primarily college and university students, it has always attracted people of all ages and is now aimed at churches and groups who are looking to equip Christians to become more confident in sharing their faith.

‘Discipleship is evident throughout the whole course,’ explains Tim. ‘Living & Telling can help people discover a whole new adventure and sense of fun, working with the Holy Spirit in what he is already doing in people’s lives. Instead of it being something scary and off-putting for ourselves and possibly for others, we turn the whole thing on its head. Living & Telling can help people do that. It really does encourage as well as equip Christians to look at discipleship and sharing this amazing news in a fresh way.’

Tim will lead a seminar on Living & Telling at CRE (3pm, Wed 16 Oct).

‘CRE is where we hope to chat with the very people for whom we have made the course,’ says Tim. ‘We hope that our seminar will attract leaders of churches, small groups, youth groups and CUs who are looking for a user-friendly way of getting members to talk about Jesus with those around them.’

Everyone at the CRE seminar will be offered a free copy of the participant’s journal.

‘We will briefly take them through some sample material, explaining what makes Living & Telling different from other personal evangelism courses. The core transferable principles have been used for decades by Campus Crusade International to release tens of thousands of Christians into the adventure and fun of sharing their faith confidently and helpfully.’ 

• Agapé UK are on stand S118 at CRE National 2019

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ByDave Hall

Spin along to Sandown and hear the Reconciliation DJs

‘LAST night a DJ saved my life’ sang 80s pop trio InDeep – and salvation is the long-term aim of two seasoned disc jockeys returning to CRE next month (15-17 Oct).

One is a pastor, the other a worship leader but together Brian Smith (Anglo Irish) and Eddie McCalla (Scottish Jamaican) are the Reconciliation DJs – with a mission to bring people together through music. Both are life-long jazz fans and specialise in playing soul, r ‘n’ b, blues, gospel and jazz. 

‘We like to call it big people music,’ explained Brian. ‘We don’t even think about competing with under 30-year-olds. Most successful radio DJs are aged between 30 and 60. In any case it should be about the music rather than the personality of the presenter. We play very little rap and hip-hop. We offer different styles for almost any function – birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and parties.

‘We like to provide an event for churches who want to reach the wider community. We encourage members to invite not-yet-Christian family, friends, neighbours or workmates to a function where people dance, eat and drink (depending on denomination of course!) – enjoying themselves without drunkenness, drugs or violence.’

Under the motto ‘unity in diversity’, the Reconciliation DJs have their own top quality sound equipment and a tour bus. Talk to them about your event at CRE.

• Reconciliation DJs are on stand E3 at CRE National 2019

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ByDave Hall

Saving your back for the future

The new Nelson dishwasher is ergonomically designed so the operator doesn’t have to bend – backaches being the most common occupational ailment for church volunteers.

‘Our Advantage Plus AD51 Ergo provides an affordable solution for people who may not need to invest in a pass-through (used by large companies) but who want a comfortable means of loading and unloading a dishwasher,’ explained John Nelson, managing director of Nelson Dish and Glasswashers.

Nelson will introduce the substantial benefits of a commercial catering kitchen to CRE National 2019 visitors. These range from hosting coffee mornings for members of the community, providing snacks for youth clubs or, more ambitiously, hiring out the facilities for functions such as weddings.

Churches that serve any form of food and drink are classed as commercial catering establishments, which means they must abide by the same rules that apply to cafés and restaurants. This helps ensure that a high level of safety and hygiene can be achieved and maintained both for those preparing food and those consuming it. Nelson can provide the advice, designs and equipment a church needs to make sure the kitchen will not only pass the scrutiny of a environmental health officer but will also provide a very real means of increasing church revenue.

‘We recently had our church coffee shop kitchen refitted by Nelson,’ said Sue Massingham, facilities manager at Epsom Methodist Church. ‘Although we knew what we wanted, the space was very restricted, yet the Nelson designers managed to include everything we needed. The team was friendly and helpful which made the whole experience remarkably easy to manage. As our church building is heavily used by both church groups and commercial lets, the new kitchen allows us a greater degree of flexibility – we can now offer hot food for the first time – and has proved a real asset.’

• Nelson are on stand S105 at CRE National 2019

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ByDave Hall

GoPak: The next generation

It’s the next generation in slick, easy-to-handle tables – displayed by top table manufacturer, Gopak, at CRE National 2019.

Five per cent lighter than previous models, with a simplified folding mechanism, a reduced lip round the edge and improved protective corner mouldings, the new table is a smart addition to the range. With a great selection of sizes, heights and colours, the Contour 25 will still match aesthetically to existing models and fits into a Gopak trolley.

‘Putting up tables has always been a fraught activity in churches – preparing for tea parties, meals, or just spaces on which children can colour,’ said GoPak’s Diane Ponting. ‘If your church or community hall already has one of our tables, the newer models will not be out of place but will be easier to handle and able to take more wear. We think you’ll be tempted by its sheer design and appearance.’

• GoPak are on stand S48 at CRE National 2019

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ByDave Hall

Youth Zone responds to ‘heart-breaking’ report

A quarter of a million UK children are unhappy according to a new report from the Children’s Society.

And another large-scale study of young people, from the Barna Group and World Vision, shows four in ten are anxious about important decisions and uncertain about the future. Only one third say they feel deeply cared for by those around them.

Laura Hancock, national ministries director for Youth for Christ, said: ‘It is heart-breaking to hear of the brokenness many children and young people feel in this generation. They may feel anxious, lonely and disconnected but there is hope. Jesus promises to provide peace, relationship, connection, hope and purpose, and this is what we shall be tackling at CRE National 2019.’

The Children’s Society’s Matt Hussey said the research showed that while young people are feeling more isolated and alone, youth groups were an ideal way to bring them together to promote positive relationships and friendships – and a safe space to talk about issues concerning them.

Sponsored by YFC, the exhibition’s Youth Zone will feature a number of organisations providing churches with the means to reach young people, enabling them to find a new life and meaning in Jesus Christ.

Laura was a former youth pastor in London and outreach worker in local schools, before marrying Andy, youth pastor at Lifecentral Church, Halesowen.

‘The hands and feet to reach youngsters are in the local church,’ she said. ‘I encourage CRE visitors to call in at the Youth Zone where I am sure the organisations there will suggest ways in which a local church can help or get help.’

Exhibitors in the Youth Zone include:

• Acet UK
• Bible Educational Services
• Counties
• Hope UK
• Kisumu Children Trust
• Latin Link
• Pulse Ministries
• Youth for Christ
• Youthscape

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ByDave Hall

Mock ‘n’ Lock’s bookshop blessing

Two regular exhibitors at CRE have doubled the size of their stand – so visitors can discover an even wider range of reading material.

Canaan Christian Ministries in Staines celebrate their 40th anniversary in November – just a year ahead of 39-year-old Manna Christian Centre in Streatham. Shop managers Barry Mockford and Dave Lock have upped the size of their display to offer ‘something for everyone’ with bibles, books, CDs, DVDs, calendars, gifts, cards and communion-related items.

Known as the Blues Brothers because they both support Chelsea FC, ‘Mock ‘n’ Lock’ are promising special offers not usually available in their shops – and cheaper than can be found online.

‘It’s all part of our 40th year celebrations,’ said Barry said. ‘People need to know not everything is cheaper online. We also want them to realise that when they buy from a local independent bookshop, not only are they supporting their local “bricks and mortar” shop in the high street, which is often open when churches are closed, but they can save money as well. As independent bookshops we are there to help and serve the individual, as well as equipping people to live their lives in the way that God intended. But we are more than a bookshop – because we can also offer a listening ear, counselling, help and advice and a prayer centre.’

Barry and Dave are looking forward to many encouraging conversations during CRE National 2019 – and not just about the visit of Newcastle to Stamford Bridge two days after the exhibition.

• Canaan Christian Ministries and Manna Christian Centre are on stand S145 at CRE National 2019

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