Christian Activists to be Challenged to Serve at North East Conference

Christian activists from the North East will by challenged to serve their communities as they gather from 7-9 June at a dynamic and inspiring conference that will discuss ways that local churches and Christians can work together for the benefit of others.

The conference is being hosted by INCARNATE, a regional group that seeks to serve communities in need in the North East of England by working with local churches and projects from across the Christian denominations and in association with the Churches' Regional Commission in the North East and the Faithworks Movement.

The conference will take place at Bethany Christian Centre in Houghton le Spring. The three day event will provide a unique opportunity for Christian activists and leaders to meet together and examine both their convictions and practice of community involvement.

International speakers at the conference include Dr Tony Campolo, the Professor Emeritus at Eastern University Philadelphia and Christian social activist, Bishop Tom Wright, the Bishop of Durham, Rev Malcolm Duncan, the Leader of Faithworks, Rev Steve Chalke the founder of Oasis and Faithworks, and Mike Royal, the National Director of the Lighthouse Group, a charity that works with excluded young people.

They will challenge those attending to be committed to their Christian faith by reaching out to the marginalised, the poor and the excluded.

Jo Grant, Chief Executive of Aquila Way and Rev Robert Ward, founder of The Clarence Trust, will host the event. Commenting on the title of the Conference, It's not what you do, it's the way that you do it, Jo Grant said: "Churches and Christian projects all over the North East are making a massive difference in the lives of thousands of people. Their contribution is not just in what they do, it is also in the distinctive way in which they do it.

"This conference will inspire Christians to serve others compassionately and holistically. It will challenge the stereotypes of Christians being irrelevant or unengaged."

Rev Robert Ward, the conference co-host commented, "Christians in the North East are at the heart of improving the lives of thousands of people. This conference is an opportunity to celebrate that contribution as well as hear from those at the cutting edge of making a difference. It will inspire people to continue to live out the example and teaching of Jesus in word and deed."

The conference will be made up of a mix of seminars, celebrations and workshops and will also feature a number of stories of projects and people in the North East that are making a difference. As well as that there will be engagements with students in both Durham and Newcastle on 7 June.

Commenting on what promises to be an exceptional few days, Rev Malcolm Duncan, the Leader of Faithworks, said, "Faithworks is privileged to be working alongside a whole series of partners in the North-East to deliver this conference. The work of the churches in the region is inspiring. It is only as the church breaks out of a fortress mentality and engages in serving others that we see God's Kingdom extended. Incarnate and their partners are committed to seeing this happen.

"I am delighted to be part of this conference and look forward to an exciting and dynamic time together."