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The following email dropped into my inbox last week: Hi there, Just wondered whether you caught an interesting feature interview on the Today programme this morning from around 8.23am on BBC Radio 4?

As we prepare for the launch of Messy Momentum, our new project that seeks to find innovative ways to engage young people that have grown through Messy Church to continue their faith journey, we thought it would be a good idea to describe the journey the BRF Ministries Messy Church team have been on to get to this point.

Messy Cathedral 2025 at St Paul’s Cathedral provided an opportunity to explore the theme of Peace and Reconciliation, especially as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8th.

Messy Church is a place where people of all ages encounter Jesus in a creative, welcoming, and engaging environment. We love to explore the Bible story through our activities, but when it comes to storytelling during the celebration, we know that some team members quiver at the thought of delivering a captivating Bible story, that engages both adults, young children and every age in between.

Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Luke 12:24 (NIV). I was inspired after our Messy Church Goes Wild session, ‘Wild on the Wing’, to dig into the Messy Church value of ‘hospitality’ and see if I could welcome more birds into my suburban London garden.

At Messy Church, we’re always looking for ways for different generations to interact. Reading together is one approach. Providing a quiet book corner alongside the hustle and bustle of a busy Messy Church might give a parent/carer the opportunity for some quality 1:1 time as they read with their young child. It also allows the introverts and those with a studious spiritual style, to pick up a Bible and read about the theme of the day.

At the end of every Messy Church, I always like to ask the team: What went well? Even better if? Where is God at work? How...

Whilst driving down a country lane in Devon, I was suddenly aware of thousands of birds flying overhead. We followed the flock and pulled over as the starlings settled in a field of sheep, both parties seemingly unaware of each other. I felt like I’d stumbled into a David Attenborough ‘Wild Isles’ episode and stood excitedly, wondering what would happen next.

As our media fills up with stories of abuse and coverups within religious organisations, it was very timely that children and family ministry denominational leaders met to discuss ‘Safeguarding’ at the Children’s Ministry Network Conference November gathering at High Leigh Conference centre.

After a busy 3 day of leading seminars, networking, and being on the Messy Church stand at Church of Norway conference, I had the opportunity to visit a sauna, called The Well, Oslo. It’s the Nordic region’s largest Spa in Scandinavia, with baths, saunas and spa treatments from all over the world.

It seems that I always get booked to deliver in-person training at seaside locations. This trend continued last weekend, as I headed off to the coastal village of Seaton, Devon.

Back in February 2024, Church of England kindly sponsored a survey, completed by 330 Messy Church leaders. This is what we...