Foreword

Making ‘what if?’ a reality

Many a ‘great idea’ I have woken up with has rarely made it beyond breakfast, still less lunchtime. As that famous quote, attributed to prolific American inventor Thomas Edison, goes: ‘Genius is one per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration’.

Diana Home (pictured), who sadly died in June, dreamed up the idea for an exhibition of Christian resources in the early 1980s. Fortunately for us all, the inspiration stayed with her beyond the cornflakes and coffee. Her late husband, Gospatric, picked up the perspiration side of the equation and, together, they made the first CRE happen in London in 1985. From there the vision extended as far as the US, Korea, Sweden, Uganda and Australia. And the hard work didn’t end there. Even when the Homes were enjoying a well-earned retirement, they encouraged Allison and I as we took over the reins of the exhibition in 2016. I shall never forget Gos, in his 80s, sweating his way down to London to scout out suitable venues.

That’s why I am so glad that the last email I sent to Di before her demise contained the news that we had secured dates for CRE in Liverpool for the first time (3/4 May 2023). ‘Your vision carries on,’ I wrote, ‘in spite of the ravages of Covid. And for that we are truly grateful.’

We are also thankful to the dozens upon dozens of organisations who continue to share Di’s vision and contribute to this important event – bringing their own ideas in front of thousands of church leaders, officers and members. Most of these organisations will have had their own genesis with a moment of inspiration – that ‘what if?’ moment.

To all our visitors, we hope you are similarly inspired, and even end up perspiring a little (!) as you tour this year’s exhibition. Most of all, we hope you leave with a creative idea or two buzzing around in your head. What if our church did this, too?

Steve Goddard Owner MD, Christian Resources Exhibition

Foreword My Church Needs One of Those! Exhibition features: • Children’s Ministry Day • Mission on the Map • Exploring the Windrush Legacy • CRE Arts Café • Mission Worship Wednesday CRE Talks Programme (in person, at event) CRE Talks and Presentations (online) Products and Services Directory A-Z of exhibitors at CRE National 2022 A-Z of Resources Guide Advertisers Page 1 Pages 4-10

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With thanks to our sponsors

Published by:

Christian Resources Exhibitions Ltd, 1 and 2 Ellison’s Cottages, Crank Road, St Helens, Merseyside WA11 7RQ Telephone: 0161 240 4500 Web: www.creonline.co.uk Email: enquiries@creonline.co.uk

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in the compilation of this publication, the organisers and publishers cannot accept any liability for any errors or omissions.

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Nothing beats discussing it

CRE National 2022 Sandown Park, Surrey 11-13 October 2022 CRE North 2023 Exhibition Centre, Liverpool 3-4 May 2023