Faith Facts

• Evangelist J.John will keynote the newly launched Church Leaders Conference at CRE 2026 in England this October
• The Church Resources Exhibition (CRE), formerly the Christian Resources Exhibition, is bringing focused leadership training to UK church leaders
• The conference represents a strategic investment in equipping Christian leaders for effective ministry in challenging times

A prominent voice in Christian evangelism is set to address church leaders across the United Kingdom as they gather for a major new conference this fall. The announcement signals a renewed focus on strengthening pastoral leadership in an era when churches face mounting cultural and spiritual challenges.

The Church Resources Exhibition (CRE), a well-established gathering for Christian ministry professionals, has announced that evangelist J.John will serve as a keynote speaker for its newly launched Church Leaders Conference. The event will take place in England this October, bringing together pastors, ministry leaders, and church staff for focused training and encouragement.

J.John has built a reputation for clear, accessible presentations of biblical truth combined with practical application for everyday Christian living. His ministry has reached audiences across denominational lines, making him a fitting choice for a conference designed to serve the broader church community in the United Kingdom.

The Church Resources Exhibition has operated under various names over its history, previously known as the Christian Resources Exhibition. The organization serves as a hub for churches seeking practical resources, ministry tools, and professional development opportunities for their leadership teams.

The introduction of a dedicated Church Leaders Conference represents an expansion of CRE’s mission. Rather than focusing solely on resources and materials, the new conference component addresses the personal and professional development needs of those shepherding congregations in an increasingly secular society.

Church leaders in the UK face distinctive pressures as Christianity’s cultural influence continues to decline across Western Europe. Attendance trends, generational gaps, and hostile social attitudes toward traditional Christian teaching create an environment where pastoral encouragement and strategic training carry heightened importance.

By bringing together leaders from various streams of British Christianity, the conference creates opportunities for collaboration, mutual support, and shared learning. Such gatherings can help combat the isolation that many pastors experience, particularly those serving smaller congregations without extensive staff support.

The selection of J.John as a keynote speaker suggests the conference will emphasize evangelistic zeal alongside practical ministry skills. His track record includes major public evangelistic campaigns that have drawn thousands, as well as more intimate teaching settings focused on discipleship and spiritual formation.

October’s conference will provide an opportunity for British church leaders to refocus on core mission priorities while gaining fresh tools for effective ministry. In a cultural climate that increasingly marginalizes Christian voices, such gatherings offer crucial support for those called to proclaim truth without compromise.

The expansion from a resource exhibition to include a dedicated leadership conference reflects growing recognition that churches need more than materials and programs—they need leaders equipped with vision, biblical grounding, and practical wisdom for navigating complex ministry challenges.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith Facts

• 88% of UK Evangelicals believe they can openly practice their faith, but 48% say speaking publicly is getting harder.
• Around 35% of believers have encountered non-criminal hostility, including verbal abuse and social pressure regarding their convictions.
• While 60% of Christians are comfortable being open at work, many in politics and education face intense scrutiny for traditional views.

While British Christians maintain the legal right to worship and share their faith, a significant cultural shift is creating a more hostile environment for public testimony.

A recent study found that nearly half of UK Evangelicals feel expressing their biblical values has become increasingly difficult over the last five years due to social polarization.

The report underscores that the primary challenge for the modern church is not legal restriction, but navigating a culture that often marginalizes Christian morality.

“This tension — between objective freedoms and subjective experience — sits at the heart of this report,” the document states regarding the current climate.

Believers are encouraged to move beyond mere defense of rights toward a confidence that allows them to contribute constructively to society with integrity and compassion.

The Christian community mourns the passing of Rev. Derek Dumas, a faithful servant who led Greater Lizzieboro Baptist Church for over two decades. At age 53, he entered his eternal rest surrounded by family, leaving behind a profound legacy of spiritual leadership in Macon.

Succeeding his grandfather in the early 2000s, Dumas dedicated his life to pastoring his congregation with integrity and grace. He was a highly educated leader, earning advanced degrees in public administration and theology to better serve the Lord’s kingdom.

Faith Facts

• Rev. Dumas served as the spiritual shepherd of Greater Lizzieboro Baptist Church for more than 20 years.
• He was active in the General Missionary Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention U.S.A.
• The pastor was known for transforming lives through selfless service and community empowerment.

Local leaders and legal professionals described his life as one that exemplified purpose and unwavering commitment to the Gospel.

His presence in the community commanded respect and inspired those around him to rise to their God-given potential.

“Dr. Dumas was not only a preacher of the Word, but a living testament to it — leading with integrity, serving with humility, and pouring into others with a genuine and selfless spirit.”

His transition to glory reminds believers that true greatness is measured by the lives touched and the seeds of faith planted for future generations.

The Georgia community continues to celebrate the transformative work he accomplished through Christ.

Read more about Rev. Dumas’s life.