There has been a lot of things that this last season of a global pandemic has stopped, including being able to gather as church. However, over the last 18 months there has been an increase in the appetite for church home groups. There have been different types of groups popping up all over the country. Online Alpha attendance tripled during lockdown, according to Premier Christian News (5th June 2020).
Taking this into consideration Home Groups would love to extend an invitation to you to join our first ever conference! On the 12th to 14th October 2021 homegroups is excited to announce that we will be attending CRE to host our conference. Why not come along and join us? Book into this free conference using this link below, which will give you FREE access to all of CRE and the conference:
https://eventdata.uk/Comp/CRENational2021.aspx?TrackingCode=home
At the conference we will be sharing with you hints and tips on how to run a successful home group. Whether it be the food and hospitality you provide, how you can use technology to better engage the group or how the room atmosphere is set we will be there to give you ideas and answer any questions you may have about Home Groups.
On top of this we will be bringing along 6 of our fantastic authors, all of whom have written home group studies. They will be doing a ‘live home groups study’ at the conference to give a practical demonstration of how fun and engaging a home groups study can be.
Phil Knox – Phil wrote the book Story Bearer which takes a deep dive into the question of how you can share your faith with your friends. His session is based on this book.
Phil is the head of mission to young adults at the Evangelical Alliance UK. He has a passion for his generation, the local church, loves learning and has degrees in law and mission and evangelism. Phil is married to Dani and they have two sons, Caleb and Jos. An avid runner, Phil is also an enthusiastic water-skier and once broke the world record for the longest 5-a-side football match. He is also a performance poet and lives in Birmingham.
Lauren Windle – Lauren’s study is based on her wonderful new release Notes on Love which is a humorous and heart-felt look at being single and dating in the Church for a generation of Christians wrestling with what it means to love and be loved today.
Lauren Windle is a public speaker and journalist, published by Mail Online, Huffington Post, The Sun Online, Fabulous Digital, Marie Claire, The Star, Church Times and others. On 22nd April 2014 she got clean and sober from a cocaine and alcohol addiction and became a Christian five days later. She has a Masters in Addiction Studies, runs a charity recovery course for people struggling with addition and in 2018 gave a TEDx Talk about her personal story of addiction and recovery. She is also the proud owner of a Blue Peter badge and has her grade four ice-skating.
Paul Karensa & Becky May – Becky wrote an intergenerational homegroups study based on the book Planet Protectors. Jam-packed with interesting facts, Christian theology and practical tips, Planet Protectors is an informative and empowering guide for children on helping the environment by living sustainably! The study brings this important topic alive for the whole family.
Paul Kerensa is a scriptwriter, stand-up comedy and author of several adults and children’s books including Noah’s Car Park Ark, Moses and the Exodus Express and Joe’s Bros and the Bus That Goes. He co-wrote Planet Protectors with Ruth Valerio of Tearfund.
Sarah Yardley – Sarah’s study guide goes alongside her book, MORE >Change. The book and study invite you to seek the Bible’s wisdom on experiencing change, viewing our shifting circumstances in light of the perspective and protection of an unchanging God.
Sarah Yardley is a Californian based in Cornwall who knows a little something about change, her life carrying her from megachurch to village church, and from home-schooling to visiting over 90 countries. She is Mission Lead at Creation Fest UK, Canon of Truro Cathedral, and on team at Tubestation.
Amy Boucher Pye – Amy has written a power-packed study guide to go alongside her brand, new book 7 Ways to Pray. In this study explore ancient prayer practices of Christianity and how, through these, we can find fresh ways to relate to God today.
Amy Boucher Pye is an author, speaker and retreat leader. The author of the award-winning Finding Myself in Britain (Authentic Media, 2015) and The Living Cross (BRF, 2016), she has written Bible reading notes for over a decade. She writes for Our Daily Bread Ministries and runs the Woman Alive book club. She holds an MA in Christian spirituality from Heythrop College, University of London.
Martin Saunders –based on his book We are Satellites; this study is perfect for youth groups and young adults, giving practical advice on how to put God at the centre of our lives. When we’re so focused on our own lives and concerns, it’s easy to forget that the world doesn’t revolve around us. Learn about seven core values of the Christian life – with God at the centre – exploring whether this in fact is a much more fulfilling way to live.
Martin Saunders is the Director of Innovation at Youthscape, and Youth Team Leader at St Mary’s Church, Reigate. He’s married to Jo and they have four children. Martin has been involved in youth ministry for nearly two decades, including over ten years as editor of Youthwork magazine. He has written 13 books, including SPCK’s The Man You’re Made To Be.
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