Second CNI Conference

Second Christian Nightlife Initiatives Conference

Wednesday 7th July 2010, 10am - 3.30pm
Salvation Army, Bedford

Programme for the day - click links to hear the talks:

10am - Registration and Refreshments

10.30am - Welcome

10.35am - Prayer and Reflection

10.40am - "Being Transformed - Helping the Night-time Economy"
The Bishop of Bedford, Rt. Rev. Richard Inwood

11.00am - Keynote Speaker, Steve Clifford, CEO Evangelical Alliance

12noon - Opportunity to hear from two projects

12.20pm - Lunch and Networking

1.15pm - Keynote Speaker - Andy Turner, Church Urban Fund XChange

2.00pm - Opportunity to hear what is happening across the UK

2.45pm - Discussion on the Christian Nightlife Initiatives Network
led by Paul Blakey MBE, founder Street Angels and CNI

3.15pm - Drawing it all together and closing prayer

Press Release:
Continue the dialogue urges
Evangelical Alliance Director at Night Time Economy Conference

Fifty delegates from over 20 projects attended the second Christian Nightlife Initiatives conference on Wednesday 7th July 2010 at the Salvation Army Congress Hall, Bedford.

The project brought together volunteers from Street Angels, Town Pastor and other night-time initiatives to share together in teaching, reflection and friendship. The conference celebrated the different projects across the country and heard of the tremendous investment they each make towards community transformation particularly within the night-time economy.

In the morning, the Bishop of Bedford, the Right Reverend Richard Inwood spoke about the calling on all Christians to be the light of Christ on their streets. Speaking on the need to be Christians working together, the Bishop went on to state that 'we are not like the Body of Christ' but 'we are the body of Christ'.

Later in the morning, we were delighted to welcome Steve Clifford, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance as our first keynote speaker. In his inspiring address, Steve Clifford urged delegates to continue to engage with the world through their own work and commented that it was exciting to see that increasingly on Friday and Saturday nights the church in the UK can be found actively helping others on the streets.

After lunch, we will be joined by Andy Turner, the Director of XChange from the Church Urban Fund who spoke about the need for commitment to work in the longer term rather than the quick fix.

Speaking after the conference, Steve Clifford said

"All over the country the church is to be found on a Friday or Saturday night on the street, being and speaking the good news. As an Evangelical Alliance we want to cheer these teams on, and tell stories of what God is so obviously blessing."

Also reflecting after the conference, Adam May, Trustee and Event Coordinator said:

"We have had a fantastic conference hearing again amazing stories of how God has inspired Christians across the country to get involved in communities within the night time economy. The teaching at the conference was inspiring"

Founder of Street Angels, Paul Blakey MBE, commented:

"To hear all that God is doing through amazing people who volunteer week in and week out to make a difference to others at a time when many would rather be bed is encouraging and exciting. The forming of the Christian Nightlife Initiatives Network will help strengthen this work and help projects be part of the bigger picture of what God is doing."

Press Release: Bedford to host Christian Nightlife Conference

It has been announced that Bedford is to host the second National Christian Nightlife Conference this summer. The conference will be held at the Salvation Army, Commercial Road, Bedford on Wednesday 7th July 2010 between 10.00am and 3.30pm. The National Christian Nightlife Initiative, founded by Paul Blakey MBE is made up of over fifty different groups throughout the country, mainly Street Angels based. The aim of the yearly conference is to encourage and support the growing number of people committed to working in the night time economy.

The conference this year will feature a devotional address by the Bishop of Bedford, the Right Reverend Richard Inwood. In addition, there will be two keynote addresses, one from Andy Turner, Director of the XChange Project within Church Urban Fund. Andy is a leading urban practitioner in the country having spent some working on a community engagement project in Hackney.

Adam May, Project Coordinator of Bedford Street Angels said:

"It is a delight that Bedford has been recognised for its Christian input within the night time economy, that it will be hosting this years National Christian Nightlife Conference. As the Bedford Street Angels approaches the celebration of one year on the streets, this news is a huge encouragement to us all. I am very much looking forward to welcoming old and new friends from across the country to join us for what will be an enriching event."

For further information about the National Christian Initiative or the July conference, please contact either Adam May, Project Coordinator of Bedford Street Angels on 07532 371 311 or adam@bedfordstreetangels.org.uk or Paul Blakey MBE on paul@streetangels.org.uk