A comedian, a bishop and two lads and a laptop walk into a racecourse…

Free tickets offer below

WHEN a comedian, a bishop and two lads and a laptop walk into a racecourse it can mean only one thing – the return of the Christian Resources Exhibition to Sandown Park (Oct 11-13 2022).

‘The engaging diversity that characterises our programme can be summed up in three contributions,’ said CRE event director Brett Pitchfork. ‘Much-loved comedian Tim Vine will open the exhibition, Bishop Mike Royal, general secretary at Churches Together in England will help us explore the Windrush legacy and Mike Roberts, Nick Ingles and a laptop computer are set to serenade Sandown Park over all three days.’

On the opening day Rev Jessica Foster, head of church engagement at the Trussell Trust, will encourage Christians to join the call for an end to the need for food banks and the poverty which had led to their necessity. Then, of course, there is the exhibition itself with more than 150 organisations displaying everything from emergency pods for the homeless to clergy clothing, church renovation services to retreat centres.

With a focus on the practical side of church life, CRE’s 70-strong talks programme offers expert advice on online evangelism, holiday clubs, climate change, chaplaincy and much, much more. Wrapping up the entertainment on Day 3 will be drama from Saltmine Theatre Co and music from top singer Jonathan Veira.

Decades of experience has given the exhibition’s organisers unequalled understanding of local church needs. More than one in three visitors will be ordained and 38 per cent come as part of a local church leadership team ­­– looking for advice on everything from heating to seating, lecterns to lighting, publishing to pulpits.

Free ticket offer

CRE National 2022 at Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey opening hours: Tue 11 and Wed 12 Oct, 10am-5pm; Thu 13 Oct, 10am-4.30pm. Click here for your free unlimited tickets.