News: Christian Resources Exhibition heads to Milton Keynes

One of the UK’s most unusual exhibitions heads to Milton Keynes for the first time next month (Marshall Arena, October 9th – 10th 2024). The two-day Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE), often dubbed ‘the ideal church show’, will feature up to 160 organisations, displaying everything from eco-friendly heated pew cushions to clergy clothing, contactless donation apps to digital organs. A full list of exhibitors can be viewed here.

Alongside the exhibition will be a series of more than 40 talks and presentations covering fund raising, faith sharing, bereavement support, social media, church security – and much, much more. One of the three talks and presentation areas will be devoted entirely to the theme of worship with renowned practitioners Roger Jones, Devon Brown, Lucy Grimble and Lou (pictured below) and Nathan Fellingham contributing over both days. As well as leading visitors in worship, they will offer an historical perspective on the subject and consider how led worship can be developed in local churches.

Open to everyone, but particularly helpful to those actively involved in their local church, CRE is expected to attract almost 2000 visitors from all major denominations.

World-renowned professional football freestyler Daniel Cutting (main photo above) will open the event (10am, Wed 9 Oct) and remind visitors how churches can use sport as a vital bridge to their local communities. A 10-time Guinness World Record holder, Daniel, who lives in Milton Keynes, specialises in product launches, corporate events, commercials – and school assemblies! Depending on the occasion, he will also tell audiences about his Christian faith. A member of a church in Milton Keynes, where he and his wife run a youth group for 20 or so young people, Daniel said: “I am particularly excited to do events in a Christian setting, using my gift to glorify God.”

Steve Goddard, owner of CRE, said: “By coming to MK for the first time we’re responding to a ‘Macedonian call’ – bringing much-needed new products and services to churches, large and small. We would encourage ordained and lay leaders and office-holders from all denominations to make the very most of an event that cannot return to the region for several years.”

CRE 24 will be held at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes opening hours: Wednesday Oct 9th, 10am-5pm; Thursday Oct 10th, 10am-4.30pm. Advance tickets available from £3 (£8 on the door). Visit www.creonline.co.uk for more information. 

All photos: Courtesy of CRE