The Arthur Rank Centre is an

ecumenical Ecumenism ( ; alternatively spelled oecumenism)also called interdenominationalism, or ecumenicalismis the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships ...

national charity which provides resources, training, and advocacy for rural Christians, rural churches and the communities they serve, across

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

and

Wales Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...

. It was originally based at

Stoneleigh Park Stoneleigh Park, known between 1963 and 2013 as the National Agricultural Centre, is a business park located south-west of the village of Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, England. It is home to the Stoneleigh conference and exhibition centre. Histor ...

Warwickshire Warwickshire (; abbreviated Warks) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the West Midlands (region), West Midlands of England. It is bordered by Staffordshire and Leicestershire to the north, Northamptonshire to the east, Ox ...

. before moving, and is now to be found in Barford, near Warwick. It was established in 1972 shortly after the death of the benefactor and film producer J. Arthur Rank, who had been an active

methodist Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a Protestant Christianity, Christian Christian tradition, tradition whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's brother ...

teaching at

Sunday school ] A Sunday school, sometimes known as a Sabbath school, is an educational institution, usually Christianity, Christian in character and intended for children or neophytes. Sunday school classes usually precede a Sunday church service and are u ...

s. The Arthur Rank Centre serves both the spiritual and practical needs of the rural community through hundreds of resources for rural churches, including a comprehensive range of worship resources and rural stories, ideas and inspiration. It has run a highly popular training course called "The Rural Mission and Ministry Course" for over 40 years, along with a more in-depth "Germinate Leadership" programme to develop rural church leaders across all Christian denominations. Many charities have been formed and supported within the pool of the Arthur Rank Centre, including ** The Rural Housing Trust, ** The Farming Community Network (in partnership with the Agricultural Christian Fellowship), ** The Rural Stress Information Network (now a part of FCN), ** The National Churches Tourism Group, ** The Addington Fund, ** The Centre for Studies in Rural Ministry, ** Eco-Congregation - now Eco-Church run by A Rocha, ** Computers for Rural People, and ** The National Care Farming Initiative later to become Care Farming UK and now Social Farms and Gardens (in association with Harper Adams University & The University of Essex) There have been various CEO's for the charity including Revd Dr Gordon Gatward (1999-2013) awarded an OBE for services to the Farming communities, and later a Lifetime Achievement award from Farmers Weekly, Jerry Marshall (2013-2018), Revd Claire Maxim (2018-2022) and presently Revd Matt Jeffrey (2022-). For many years, the Anglican, Methodist and URC National Rural officers were based within the charity. Most recently, these posts ceased, aside from Rural Mission and Ministry Officer for the Methodist Church. Resources are produced regularly For many years, the charity produced a paid for magazine known as Country Way. In 2023, this switched to an online offering known as Country Way news and can be received free of charge.. It is also a member of the Rural Coalition (England), Rural Coalition along with 13 other national charities and organisations.

References

{{Authority Control Charities based in England and Wales Rural Coalition (England)