BRF started in January 1922 in an Anglican church in Brixton, where the vicar wanted to help his congregation, in his words, ‘to get a move on spiritually.' He began to offer a monthly leaflet of daily Bible readings, coupled with a midweek discussion group and the encouragement to pray for the parish. This so transformed the spiritual life of St Matthew’s Church, that before long other churches were asking for copies of the leaflets for their own congregations.
Today, 90 years later, † Bible reading, † Prayer & Spirituality † Discipleship are still the three core strands of BRF’s ministry, which as a whole is defined in our statement of purpose:
'Resourcing your spiritual journey'.
At the heart of BRF’s ministry is the desire is to help people of all ages – children, adults and families – to explore Christianity and to grow in faith.
Wherever you are on your spiritual journey – just starting out, or having been a Christian for many years – we believe that BRF has something to offer to help you continue and go further and deeper. We do this through:
the Bible reading notes and books that we publish
our training and face-to-face work in primary schools and churches
our specialist websites (many of which offer free downloadable resources along with information about our publications and events)
the growing Messy Church movement (which is supported, resourced and enabled by BRF)
Messy Church – a way of being church for families and others based around welcome, crafts and art, celebration and eating together, which is successfully reaching people who would never normally come to church on Sunday
Faith in Homes – resourcing children and families at home to explore Christianity and grow in faith
We’re passionate about helping people to engage with the Bible and prayer, and about resourcing Christian discipleship. For example:
Introducing and bringing to life stories from the Bible during a Barnabas RE Day in a primary school, or at a Messy Church, where many of those present could be hearing the stories for the very first time.
Equipping children’s leaders and primary school teachers to be more effective in their teaching of Christianity and the Bible, but also resourcing them for their own spiritual journeys (‘ministering to the ministers’).
Resourcing clergy to encourage the spiritual growth and discipleship of their congregations, but also, as with children’s leaders and teachers above, resourcing the clergy themselves as Christian leaders.
Resourcing individuals to grow as Christians – in their understanding, in their experience, and in their expression of their faith.
Based in Abingdon, England, BRF has a staff team of 30 working in its publishing and face-to-face ministries. It is governed by a Board of 18 Trustees, chaired by the Anglican Bishop of Dorchester, The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher. BRF’s publishing ministry is funded primarily through sales of publications; all other core ministries are funded through grants and donations from charitable trusts, churches and individuals.