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'ONIONS' THEME ROOTS EXHIBITION AT HEART OF LOCAL CHURCH
07 April 2008
(SWINDON -- 7/4/08) -- UNDER
THE ownership and management of Bible Society, the National Christian
Resource Exhibition (CRE) returns to Sandown Park next month (May
13-16) with a seminar, workshop and special features programme
carefully constructed to meet the needs of people at all levels of
church leadership.
The recent Heart of England CRE, held in Telford (Feb 21- 23), drew more than 4800 visitors.
‘Our
theme “Know your onions and grow your church” clearly resonated with
visitors,’ said CRE Event Director Steve Briars. ‘We attracted a fresh
audience who made the most of an exhibition full of ideas, resources
and new thinking. We are taking a lot of positives from Telford and
working them into the show at Sandown Park.’
Up
to 350 organisations will exhibit at National CRE (May 13-16) and more
than 14,000 visitors are expected to attend. Worship, debt, emerging
church and children and the Bible are among several key subjects in a
series of practical seminars and workshops. An extensive arts programme
will include presentations from the London Community Gospel Choir and
Saltmine Theatre Company.
Authors,
publishers and readers will discover which titles have been voted the
best in Christian publishing at the UK Christian Book Awards. The
awards are organised by Speaking Volumes who place Christian books in
the community through schools and libraries.
‘I’m
delighted to announce the winners at such a prestigious event,’ said
Adrian Plass, author of the million-selling Sacred Diary of Adrian
Plass. ‘I will also share my passion about the importance of
communicating the faith through the written word to both Christians and
a wider audience.’
Thousands
of books will be on sale in CRE’s two bookshops, located in the Esher
Hall and Premier Radio Pavilion. The best in Christian music will also
be available, along with other resources from Bible commentaries to
school assembly materials – aimed at meeting the needs of church
leaders of all kinds, from ordained ministers to youth leaders and
Sunday School teachers.
Chinese
evangelist and author Brother Yun will speak at CRE for the first time
on Wednesday 14 May. With the Olympics held in Beijing in August, Yun,
whose remarkable story is recounted in his book The Heavenly Man, will
challenge complacency in western churches.
In
CRE’s IT Village, the UK’s top Christian suppliers of information
technology will offer expert advice on everything from website design
to data management. Throughout the day there will be practical
demonstrations and talks on key IT-related subjects – with an
opportunity for one-to-one consultations with IT experts.
A
new feature at the year's CRE is the Exhibitor Spotlight offering
10-minute presentations through the day to inform, challenge and
motivate. Spotlight is hosted by TV and radio broadcaster Robert Bond.
Apart from the main seminar and workshop programme, other informative presentations take place throughout the week:
* Scripture Union will run the Youth and Children's Zone in the Royal Box
*
The Christian Residential Experience Zone, organised by CCI, the
Christian holiday association, will give advice on church weekends and summer camps
* Craigmyle fundraising consultants are hosting two half-day conferences entitled Fundraising with Confidence.
‘CRE
has an ongoing responsibility to be at the cutting edge of church
life,’ said Colin Saunders, CRE's Executive Chairman. ‘We aim to meet
the resource and training needs of all involved in church leadership -
not only those in full-time church or ministry employment but the many
thousands who voluntarily work in churches at all levels.’
Saunders'
vision is to take CRE towards an EXPO concept, where exhibition
and Christian experience come together – ‘a real hands-on experience as
well as an exercise in gathering information.’
More info: www.creonline.co.uk
* Issued for the Christian Resources Exhibition by Stephen Goddard Associates. Hi-res jpeg available on request. Contact Stephen Goddard 01744 733898 or 07930198209.
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