Immersive poverty experience to feature at Christian Resources Exhibition 2017   

An immersive encounter with poverty – that’s the thinking behind The Compassion Experience at the next Christian Resources Exhibition (Sandown Park, Esher, Tue Oct 17 – Wed 19 Oct 2017).

Originally constructed in the USA and now adopted by Compassion UK, the mobile trailer houses the stories of Sameson, a boy from Ethiopia and Shamin, a girl from Uganda (see attached jpegs – hi res available on request). Both children grew up experiencing the vulnerability, restrictions and dangers that poverty can bring in their respective cultures and contexts.

‘The Compassion Experience will enable thousands of CRE visitors to experience another world without leaving their own,’ explains Compassion UK’s Caroline Cameron. ‘Most importantly, the presentation will offer a message of hope for children sponsored through our world-class child development programme.’

Inspired by an initiative of Compassion International, The Compassion Experience will be one of the most ambitious features ever hosted at CRE, Europe’s leading exhibition of church resources. After being presented for three days at Sandown Park, it will continue to churches, schools and other venues across the UK.

Stephen Goddard, who acquired CRE from the Bible Society last November, said: ‘We have worked closely with Compassion to bring a slum to leafy Surrey! It is a unique presentation and we hope many thousands of ordained clergy and lay leaders will see how it can be used in their own localities.’

Visitors to CRE will also be presented with major input from Messy Church and Museum of the Bible, an innovative educational institution.

A keynote speaker at CRE will be George Verwer, who founded and led Operation Mobilisation for more than 40 years. ‘It’s a great time in history for the Church,’ he said, ‘and I’ll be at CRE to tell visitors what is God doing through the Church, around the world.’

Rev Cindy Kent MBE returns to host Cindy’s Sofa, her popular lunchtime chat show featuring music, drama and a range of special guests. UCB Radio will broadcast live from the show floor.

CRE 2017 takes place at Sandown Park, Esher from Tue Oct 17 – Wed 19 Oct 2017.