‘It was great to be part of this significant interdenominational community event...’
Messy Church: We recently ran the Messy Church international conference. Over 200 attended from 11 countries including Australia, South Africa and the USA. Messy Church continues to grow with an estimated 500,000 people attending across 20 countries. It is encouraging to hear so many inspiring stories of people engaging with faith and the discipleship taking place within Messy Churches.
In June we were involved in the Archbishop's Thy Kingdom Come event in Trafalgar Square. It was great to be part of this significant interdenominational community event, and to see so many people from a variety of denominations and cultures gathering together, as well as those who stopped to explore and engage.
General Synod recently unanimously passed a new Growing Faith initiative to connect churches, schools and households. Please pray for the Growing Faith champions in the Dioceses as they take on an active role in promoting and supporting this.
Barnabas in Schools: In September we launched a new theme for primary school RE. Pupils journey to various countries, exploring how the Christian faith is lived out without even leaving the school hall! The new Ofsted Inspection Framework from September 2019 has a more prominent focus on faith and values. In response, schools are looking for resources who can help them meet the requirements and offer engaging material for pupils.
Comments from teachers: 'Every Barnabas in Schools event I have been involved with has been inspiring and given me so many ideas. This has a huge impact on moving the school forward.' 'Tackling complex, thought-provoking issues in an accessible and engaging way and in a relevant context. Fantastic session as always.'
Jane Butcher
(Bible Reading Fellowship)