Baptists enjoy CRE 

Baptists from as far afield as Dorset and Buckinghamshire made a bee-line for the national Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE), held over three days at Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey, from October 11 to 13

Visitors were treated to a medley of music performed by Two Men and a Laptop as they awaited the opening ceremony which was undertaken by Christian comedian Tim Vine, using typically over-sized scissors to cut the ribbon. After the formalities, Vine was interviewed in the event’s arts café by Sorted magazine’s Steve Legg. Amid much wit and one-liners, the punmeister spoke of the importance of faith, family and the joy of simply having fun.

That fun was evident in a number of CRE’s stands, aiming to equip Christians with tools and resources to share their faith with others in innovative ways. Vine was presented with a pair of not-quite-eponymous ‘I am the Vine’ socks at the Holy Socks stall, part of a large range of clothing sporting a subtle (or less subtle!) gospel message. Also on offer: evangelistic golf balls!

In another of the thought-provoking seminar strands, ‘Lifting the Lid’, Alan Charter (Global Children’s Forum and Children Matter) explored child spirituality and invited more than 80 attendees how best to serve the needs of younger churchgoers. Using a variety of techniques, the sessions focused on children and young people referred to in the Bible, and provided a wealth of practical advice on enabling youngsters to find and grow in their Christian faith.

Also a member of Stony Stratford Baptist Church in Buckinghamshire, Charter (pictured) shared his view that ‘children are, perhaps, more able – and have a less world-impacted radar – to tune into God’s voice than sometimes we adults do, so maybe we need to flip it and learn a little from them as well.’

‘We are innately spiritual beings,’ he continued, ‘so how do we nurture a child’s spirituality as well as our own? Let’s give every opportunity for children to encounter God in any and every way that they can.’

Enabling evangelism and outreach is pivotal to CRE’s mission, and this year visitors were confronted with a full-size Mission Aviation Fellowship Cessna 150 at the entrance to the exhibition. The aircraft formed a striking centrepiece to the ‘Mission on the Map’ zone, directly connecting Christian mission agencies with event-goers. This area was supported by organisations as diverse as United Beach Missions, France Mission and OMF. Christian jobs and both long- and short-term mission prospects around the world were highlighted by OSCAR, presenting scores of opportunities to serve with organisations such as Samaritan’s Purse, European Christian Mission and Trans-World Radio.

Operation Mobilisation veteran George Verwer took the theme further, presenting his ‘Time to Put Mission on the Map’ seminar wearing one of his trademark world map shirts. Reflecting on more than six decades’ engagement in international mission, Verwer said: ‘I gave my life to the Lord at a Billy Graham rally … every day since then, I’ve been trying to tell people about Jesus.’ 

But Verwer also expressed concern about churches who ‘haven’t sent out a missionary in 30 or 40 years’, challenging the audience that ‘the need remains so great’. Mission requires a ‘shift in thinking’, he said, ‘to work within the [world’s] cultures, and think globally but with a Kingdom mindset.’ He encouraged listeners that young people are ‘still signing up in their hundreds to serve with OM’, and gave an update on Doulos Hope – the newest ship in the OM fleet, which formerly operated as a floating casino. ‘From gambling chips to Bibles,’ he smiled.

This year’s CRE featured more than 160 exhibitors, addressing issues as diverse as church insurance to creation care, and vestments to Veggie Tales. Combined with the programme of talks and opportunities for prayer and worship, the event truly had something for all the church family.

Pausing at the engaging Walk Through the Bible stand, Baptist ministers Revds Darren and Melanie Pike from Ferndown in Dorset shared their reasons for attending with their family. ‘We’ve all come to see what’s going on. I know you can find it all online, but actually to meet the people behind the stories is really important,’ said Darren.

‘We had questions about stuff we needed for our church to be answered, and also hearing things we hadn’t heard about – some really interesting projects like twinning the church garden and some of the work with foster parenting, and really encouraging our whole family to be activists when we get back,’ Pike continued.

‘We need to be making a difference – that’s what the Bible tells us to do – so we try to do that. CRE has been really good. If anyone hasn’t been before I’d encourage them to wear sensible shoes, but to get on with it!’

The Revd Martin Whaley, who ministers at Wealdstone Baptist Church concurred, ‘I have been a regular attender to the CRE for many years. It uniquely brings together a wonderfully eclectic mix of Christian contributors so, whether I’m looking for the latest book releases, mission opportunities, ideas on updating the church building, or making sure it’s adequately insured, the CRE can provide me with all the options. Plus, there is always something useful to discover that you never knew existed!’


Top image | Tim Vine with the Pike family