Faith

Phil Creighton, from Reading is Vice President of the 'Baptist Men's Movement' and devised the 'Bigger Breakfast'. It's a new initiative designed to bring more church-going males together.

The 'Baptist Men's Movement' (BMM) was launched in 1917 and serves Baptist churches across the UK.

On Saturday 11 October 2008 Phil attempted to break the world record for the most men eating breakfast at the same time. Churches across the UK and in Texas signed up. Gatherings were held in pubs, homes and churches.

The current world record stands at 18,942 diners, who took part in a cooked breakfast at the Cowboy Breakfast Foundation in 2001.

Although that record wasn't quite broken, Phil told Clare Catford on BBC Berkshire, that the event had been a big success.

"It went fantastically well, we had more than a 100 churches taking part. We reckon we had more than 2,700 men across the country getting involved.

"There was one church that went up Mount Snowdonia, another one which did some model car racing. There was also a couple of churches in Reading which took over some local pubs."

The Baptist Men's Movement also used 'The Bigger Breakfast' to launch a series of free fact sheets on sensitive issues that matter to men, including prostrate cancer and pornography.

Suitable for use in small groups, pastoral care or even individual study, each fact sheet will offer scriptural insights and pertinent comment on the issues, along with some questions for groups to answer.

Phil says, "We're delighted at how churches are responding to 'The Bigger Breakfast', we want the day to kick start ministry to men across the UK, these will be terrific resources for churches."

More than 70 churches took part in 'The Bigger Breakfast', including three from Texas.

"We encourage churches to establish men's groups again, even if it's just a casual meeting down the pub once a month. Our fact sheets will help make planning events easier."

Phil is also the editor of the new male-focused magazine 'Men Matters'. But this is no 'lads-mag' or competitor to FHM, Front or Arena. Instead it's a free magazine produced by BMM to help churches with men's ministry.

The magazine is being sent to every Baptist church in Britain and to churches that took part in the 'Bigger Breakfast'.

Features in the magazine include an exclusive interview with Arthur White, a member of Tough Talk and a World Champion power lifter. Plus Alick Sutherland, a Christian landlord, whose pub was used by churches in Waterlooville, Hampshire as a 'Bigger Breakfast' venue.

At their annual conference, to be held in Coventry next March, Phil will become the BMM's youngest ever president.