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ByDave Hall

What is God doing in prison?

With prisons constantly in the news, churches in the UK need to support the vital ministry of prison chaplains.

The Good News newspaper, an evangelistic monthly paper run as a charity, is there to help them. Good News provides more than 3,000 free copies to prison chaplains in 107 of the country’s 142 prisons – paid for by supporters who donate to the ministry. The papers are packed and posted by volunteers at a north-east church.

Phill Bounds, who leads Good News’ prison ministry, told CRE News: ‘The newspaper is used in a variety of ways, including through cell visits and in the chapels and libraries – a great way of opening a spiritual conversation. Many inmates enjoy reading the paper and begin to explore the Christian faith.

We often receive requests from prisoners for more information or someone to write to them. We have a dedicated Christian counsellor with prison ministry experience who responds and answers their questions.’

Former Government ministerJonathan Aitken, now patron of Prison Fellowship UK, recommends Good News for prison work.

‘I admire the excellence of the Good News paper,’ he said. ‘It is well written, well produced and a valuable journalistic bridge-builder between the Christian and secular worlds. I am a regular reader and always enjoy reading it. I am particularly glad to know that Good News reaches many ex-offenders.”

As for the prisoners themselves, here’s what two have to say about Good News.

Thank you for your newspaper.  I fully read all your articles and in a time of need it brought me much joy to hear of your amazing stories.  This year I have chosen to take a real leap of faith and leave my past behind me.’

‘I am writing to congratulate you on your spiritually-uplifting publication, which I enjoy every month. The articles are always of interest to me. I am working, with the help of God, on what brought me here.’

Phill Bounds added: ‘Please pray for staff and chaplains who frequently face physical violence. We thank God for gifts for our prison ministry, both large and small, which help us send Good News free of charge to Christian chaplains.’

  • The Good News newspaper is on stand D5 at CRE 25

CRE 2025

See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3

ByDave Hall

Time to park your parking problems with Gemini

Your church car park should serve your congregation and visitors, without wasting time on unauthorised parking.

So say Gemini Parking Solutions, who are in business to help churches get on with serving the community rather than policing precious parking spaces.

‘Our approach ensures adequate spaces for church members and visitors – so they can attend services and activities without parking stress,’ said Gemini’s Richard Campion. ‘We can help create a safe, welcoming parking environment – a positive first impression for all who visit.’

The company can also protect against unauthorised use – keeping spaces available for key personnel.

‘We ensure professional management with zero disruption – allowing the church to focus on ministry, not parking issues,’ said Richard. ‘We can also create an additional revenue stream to support your church’s mission – monetising unused spaces ethically, with no upfront costs.’

  • Gemini Parking Solutions are on stand E6 at CRE 25

CRE 2025

See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3

ByDave Hall

Be independent – but not alone

Providing support for safeguarding, property matters, funding and navigating times of crisis – that’s how The Congregational Federation can help your church.

At CRE 25 for the first time in a number of years, it provides support, fellowship and learning for some 200 independent UK churches run by their members and will promote its Thirty by 2030 campaign.

Jonathan and Abbiih Oloyede from City Chapel UK

The federation also creates opportunities for fellowship and learning via courses, events and other resources, always mindful of protecting the independence and unique identity of each member church.

‘At our 2025 National Assembly we welcomed City Chapel UK into membership,’ Yvonne Campbell (pictured) the federation’s general secretary, told CRE News. ‘We appreciate the vitality and strong Christian witness it promotes and look forward to supporting the church in its work and mission. We are keen to extend that welcome to other churches who would wish to join us for mutual support and encouragement.’

The Congregational Federation is there for:

  • Practical support – A broad range of high quality, in-house resources and advice is available from their highly qualified and experienced staff team
  • Meaningful fellowship – Members can join with like-minded churches to worship, share, learn, encourage and grow
  • True independence – Your church can maintain its freedom, whilst easing many of its challenges

You can pick up an information pack and talk to federation representatives at CRE 25.

  • The Congregational Federation are on stand O5 at CRE 25

Main photo: Yvonne Campbell, General Secretary

CRE 2025

See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3

ByDave Hall

Our mission: helping to turn browsers into believers

Helping faith-based organisations clarify who they are, strengthen their brand and communicate with confidence – that’s Bara Studio’s mission.

Based in Bristol, Bara Studio is a creative agency with a clear purpose – partnering with churches, charities and Christian organisations to grow their impact through creative strategy, excellent design and powerful websites. The team brings together strategists, designers and storytellers who believe that creativity is a calling with every project shaped by a commitment to people, planet and purpose.

Their work includes the full rebrand of Baby Basics, the national baby bank network supported by the Princess of Wales, and the development of a new identity for Woodlands Church Family (pictured), one of the largest evangelical church networks in the country.

‘The strategic workshops helped us as a leadership, staff and volunteer team to discover our vision and values, and translate these into a visual identity,’ said  

Dave Mitchell, senior leader of the church. ‘The updated logo has a flexibility to serve a growing movement and can be applied distinctively in local congregations. The creative brand system allows us to express our individuality but also our togetherness.’

Bara Studio is now making it even easier for churches and charities to access high-quality branding with the launch of the Charity Brand Accelerator – a proven programme designed to help organisations produce strong creative assets more confidently. You will find out more at the Bara stand at CRE 25.

  • Bara Studio is on stand W4 at CRE 25

Main photo: Bara Studio at work

CRE 2025

See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3

ByDave Hall

What is God doing in prison?

6 October 2025 | By Dave Hall

With prisons constantly in the news, churches in the UK need to support the vital ministry of prison chaplains.

The Good News newspaper, an evangelistic monthly paper run as a charity, is there to help them. Good News provides more than 3,000 free copies to prison chaplains in 107 of the country’s 142 prisons – paid for by supporters who donate to the ministry. The papers are packed and posted by volunteers at a north-east church.

Phill Bounds, who leads Good News’ prison ministry, told CRE News: ‘The newspaper is used in a variety of ways, including through cell visits and in the chapels and libraries – a great way of opening a spiritual conversation. Many inmates enjoy reading the paper and begin to explore the Christian faith.

We often receive requests from prisoners for more information or someone to write to them. We have a dedicated Christian counsellor with prison ministry experience who responds and answers their questions.’

Former Government ministerJonathan Aitken, now patron of Prison Fellowship UK, recommends Good News for prison work.

‘I admire the excellence of the Good News paper,’ he said. ‘It is well written, well produced and a valuable journalistic bridge-builder between the Christian and secular worlds. I am a regular reader and always enjoy reading it. I am particularly glad to know that Good News reaches many ex-offenders.”

As for the prisoners themselves, here’s what two have to say about Good News.

Thank you for your newspaper.  I fully read all your articles and in a time of need it brought me much joy to hear of your amazing stories.  This year I have chosen to take a real leap of faith and leave my past behind me.’

‘I am writing to congratulate you on your spiritually-uplifting publication, which I enjoy every month. The articles are always of interest to me. I am working, with the help of God, on what brought me here.’

Phill Bounds added: ‘Please pray for staff and chaplains who frequently face physical violence. We thank God for gifts for our prison ministry, both large and small, which help us send Good News free of charge to Christian chaplains.’

  • The Good News newspaper is on stand D5 at CRE 25

CRE 2025

See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3

ByDave Hall

Time to park your parking problems with Gemini

6 October 2025 | By Dave Hall

Your church car park should serve your congregation and visitors, without wasting time on unauthorised parking.

So say Gemini Parking Solutions, who are in business to help churches get on with serving the community rather than policing precious parking spaces.

‘Our approach ensures adequate spaces for church members and visitors – so they can attend services and activities without parking stress,’ said Gemini’s Richard Campion. ‘We can help create a safe, welcoming parking environment – a positive first impression for all who visit.’

The company can also protect against unauthorised use – keeping spaces available for key personnel.

‘We ensure professional management with zero disruption – allowing the church to focus on ministry, not parking issues,’ said Richard. ‘We can also create an additional revenue stream to support your church’s mission – monetising unused spaces ethically, with no upfront costs.’

  • Gemini Parking Solutions are on stand E6 at CRE 25

CRE 2025

See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3

ByDave Hall

Be independent – but not alone

Yvonne Campbell
Yvonne Campbell, General Secretary of the Congregational Federation.

6 October 2025 | By Dave Hall

Providing support for safeguarding, property matters, funding and navigating times of crisis – that’s how The Congregational Federation can help your church.

At CRE 25 for the first time in a number of years, it provides support, fellowship and learning for some 200 independent UK churches run by their members and will promote its Thirty by 2030 campaign.

Jonathan and Abbiih Oloyede from City Chapel UK

The federation also creates opportunities for fellowship and learning via courses, events and other resources, always mindful of protecting the independence and unique identity of each member church.

‘At our 2025 National Assembly we welcomed City Chapel UK into membership,’ Yvonne Campbell (pictured) the federation’s general secretary, told CRE News. ‘We appreciate the vitality and strong Christian witness it promotes and look forward to supporting the church in its work and mission. We are keen to extend that welcome to other churches who would wish to join us for mutual support and encouragement.’

The Congregational Federation is there for:

  • Practical support – A broad range of high quality, in-house resources and advice is available from their highly qualified and experienced staff team
  • Meaningful fellowship – Members can join with like-minded churches to worship, share, learn, encourage and grow
  • True independence – Your church can maintain its freedom, whilst easing many of its challenges

You can pick up an information pack and talk to federation representatives at CRE 25.

  • The Congregational Federation are on stand O5 at CRE 25

CRE 2025

See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3

ByDave Hall

Our mission: helping to turn browsers into believers

Bara Studio at work.

6 October 2025 | By Dave Hall

Helping faith-based organisations clarify who they are, strengthen their brand and communicate with confidence – that’s Bara Studio’s mission.

Based in Bristol, Bara Studio is a creative agency with a clear purpose – partnering with churches, charities and Christian organisations to grow their impact through creative strategy, excellent design and powerful websites. The team brings together strategists, designers and storytellers who believe that creativity is a calling with every project shaped by a commitment to people, planet and purpose.

Their work includes the full rebrand of Baby Basics, the national baby bank network supported by the Princess of Wales, and the development of a new identity for Woodlands Church Family (pictured), one of the largest evangelical church networks in the country.

‘The strategic workshops helped us as a leadership, staff and volunteer team to discover our vision and values, and translate these into a visual identity,’ said  

Dave Mitchell, senior leader of the church. ‘The updated logo has a flexibility to serve a growing movement and can be applied distinctively in local congregations. The creative brand system allows us to express our individuality but also our togetherness.’

Bara Studio is now making it even easier for churches and charities to access high-quality branding with the launch of the Charity Brand Accelerator – a proven programme designed to help organisations produce strong creative assets more confidently. You will find out more at the Bara stand at CRE 25.

  • Bara Studio is on stand W4 at CRE 25

CRE 2025

See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3

ByDave Hall

Time to get to know your way around safeguarding

If churches needing a system to manage safeguarding, we have the required tool.

So says Kyle Cottingham, managing director of iKnow Software, used by thousands of organisations, from small community groups to major charities. Based in Solihull, the team is passionate about helping organisations use technology effectively.

‘Our iKnow safeguarding software is a powerful solution to meet the needs of churches, community groups, charities and business organisations, securely managing concerns and checks within the one place,’ Kyle told CRE News. ‘It tracks issues raised through various stages and is highly customisable with a full audit history of who added what and when. Safeguarding concerns can be raised securely by QR Code or website embeds with the concerns going straight into iKnow Safeguarding for review.’

The checks module means you can easily manage and stay on top of checks with all the information in one place.

‘Organisations in England and Wales can also set reminders for the DBS Update Service,’ said Kyle. ‘There is also integration with fellow CRE exhibitor Thirtyone:eight for churches that use them for their DBS checks.’

iKnow Safeguarding, demonstrated at CRE 25, works in a single location or on multiple sites and is used by whole denominations.

  • IKnow Safeguarding is on the Church Edit stand L9 at CRE 25

CRE 2025

See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3

ByDave Hall

Your church and Net Zero: a practical guide

Making your church sustainable: a practical guide to getting to Net Zero is the title of a talk at CRE 25 given by Apostolos Petrakis and Jack Boyn (pictured) of Archangel Architects/Church Build (11am, Wed 15 Oct).

It’s one of dozens of free talks and presentations at CRE 25. For a full list click here.

Based on a recently published book with the same title, in this session you will:

  • Be equipped with principles and resources for delivering change to buildings, including the theological and missional aspects of sustainability
  • Be shown an overview of the technologies available and changes that can be made to move away from fossil fuels and reduce energy use
  • Learn about the processes involved working with experts to determine the most appropriate solution for your church building and navigating the permissions process in making changes (planning, listed building consent, faculty etc)
  • Be shown case studies of churches that have made sustainability improvements to their buildings
  • Be given the opportunity to participate in a brief Q+A session

Archangel Architects, exhibiting as Church Build at CRE 25, have worked for more than 20 years to design and deliver excellent buildings.

‘As a team, we work collaboratively from our studio near Cambridge,’ said Church Build’s Nigel Walter. ‘We believe the best buildings are created from a close partnership between client and architect. We like to think of our role as being your critical friend: at your side to support and guide, but also there to question.

‘When choosing an architect, what you are really buying is not a product (any half-decent architect can deliver a completed building), nor even a service, but a relationship; and we’re looking for a matching degree of engagement and enthusiasm in our clients.’

  • Church Build are on stand G1 at CRE 25

CRE 2025

See a complete list of exhibitors at CRE 25
CRE 25 is Wed 15 and Thu 16 Oct
Book your ticket here for as little as £3