Dozens of leaders from churches across the UK's Midlands region met at Cranmore Park in the town of Solihull last week (28 June), the venue for the upcoming CRE Midlands 23.
The event will take place from 8-9 November inside the purpose-built exhibition centre.
Speaking inside the exhibition centre, Dr Peter Green, director of the Christian Family Trust told the audience: “It blew my mind when I visited CRE some years ago. It was so exciting – you must bring all your people here. They will see dozens of things which can transform local ministry.”
More than 150 stands at CRE Midlands 23 will offer products and services ranging from contactless card machines to customised keyboards for worship. Mission on the Map will bring together a dozen missions working nationally and internationally. Some 50 talks will feature experts offering advice in various aspects of church life, from fundraising to faith sharing.
Steve Goddard, owner and managing director of CRE, said: ‘Bringing people together makes all the difference. The internet is a wonderful invention but, in our opinion, face-to-face beats mouse to mouse – every time.’
Birmingham-born Roger Jones will bring a choir to perform a revised version of his musical Saints Alive. The BIG Sing choir, who performed on Britain’s Got Talent earlier this year, will help open CRE Midlands 23, the first-ever CRE at Cranmore Park and the first in Greater Birmingham for eight years.
