The 20th National Christian Resources Exhibition get underway

The 20th National Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) commences on Tuesday 11 May. Rt Revd Richard Chartres - Bishop of London will officially open the event at 10am at Sandown Park Exhibition Centre, Esher.

The exhibition will last til 14 May with over 350 charities, missions and Christian suppliers presenting their products and new vision. Eighty stimulating seminars in a wide variety of topics on church ministries and mission are available, sponsored by renowned organisations such as the Church Army, United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (USPG), Scripture Union, Christian Research, Faithwork and some major denominations.

Among all the exhibitors, the most remarkable one would be the launch of the world’s first 3D online church conceived by a famous UK web magazine shipoffools.com.

The interactive 3D church environment would allow a real pastor to log on and appear on screen as a cartoon character. Using a keyboard and connected via the internet, he can do everything just as if he was in a real church. The same applies to the congregations, they can choose a pew to sit and talk to others in conversation bubbles. They listen to the sermons, pray and sing hymns.

The first service of the “church” will start at 11am right after the opening of the exhibition. The Methodist Church of the Great Britain will sponsor it to run from May to July as a pilot period.

Also, a book called “Good News for the World” will be published on Wednesday 12th May to coincide with the Bible Society’s bicentenary celebrations this month. Written by Roger Steer, the book takes us through a 200 year historical journey, where Bible workers overcome all obstacles in their path, to take the transforming message of Scripture to the farthest places.

Each episode is narrated as an act of a play with fascinating detail and vivid descriptions. As James Catford, Chief Executive of the Bible Society comments, “No other movement has so impacted the world with the Bible’s message and no other book tells its story so powerfully.”

The author, Roger Steer will be signing copies of his book at the Bible Society stand during the exhibition.

From the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS), the first ever 'Cyber-Safety Pocket Guide' for children is to be introduced. It is a fresh attempt to protect children against the wave of Internet abuse that is sweeping the UK.

Children and young people are easily contaminated in the fallen internet culture. The booklet contains simple advice and practical guidance for parents, child and young people, workers in churches, schools and youth organisations on the use of the internet, as well as helping children and young people stay safe when using the internet and other communication systems including text messages, emails and chat rooms.

Alongside the exhibition, the 2004 UK Christian Book Awards for Best Christian Literature will be presented by Ann Widdecombe MP on Wednesday 12th May. The winning authors of the three categories; General, Children’s and Biography will soon be known.