'Ready to set the world on fire with the love of Christ' Birmingham Conference 2025 report

Daniella Stephens and Bishop David Oakley

Mike Weaver

Over 130 people were inspired to "set the world on fire with the love of Christ" at the 2025 Birmingham Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference.

Gathering in Solihull for a Spirit-filled week following the theme “Heart Speaks to Heart – Be who you were meant to be and you will set the world on fire,” the delegates heard inspiring talks and powerful testimonies, whilst healing ministry and daily Mass renewed hearts and rekindled faith. Ros Powell led the prayer ministry and healing team.

In an impressive line-up, speakers included Bishops Timothy Menezes and David Oakley, Terry Quinn, Daniella Stephens, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, Tom Ward, and Mark McClean called participants to live their unique mission.

Birmingham Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference Trustee Mike Weaver told CCR: "We held our annual conference last week. By the end of the five days, delegates left renewed — healed in heart, strengthened in faith, and empowered to live their true calling."

"The conference bore witness to a community 'awakened, equipped, and commissioned'— ready to set the world on fire with the love of Christ."

Bishop of Northampton David Oakley, one of the Episcopal Advisors for the CCR, asked delegates to reflect on two questions: who am I and why did God make me? Having drawn on the nourishment of sacred scripture, sacred tradition and the Catechism to answer these questions, Bishop David shared two memorable quotations. The first quote is from St John Henry Newman, who said: “God knows me and calls me by my name.…God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission—I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next.” Bishop David then quoted Blessed Carlo Acutis, who said: “All people are born as originals but many die as photocopies.”

Terry Quinn, a lay Catholic evangelist, author, and founder of the Catholic Revert ministry, lived up to his reputation as a bold, Spirit-filled teaching that empowers clergy and laity for evangelisation and renewal in the Church. Terry explained that after three decades in Evangelical ministry, he returned to the Catholic Church with renewed zeal. He also emphasised the need for Spirit-filled living, strong preaching, and the empowerment of lay people in mission.

Terry Quinn

Daniella Stephens recalled that the Blessed Sacrament was reserved in the hotel room dedicated as a Chapel of Repose and reflected that St John’s Hotel had never had a more important guest! She took us on a journey drawing out God’s glory in the universe, human kind, the sacraments and sacred scripture.

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce from 40 Days for Life and March for Life recounted her crusade to protect the unborn and concluded that abortion is a modern Calvary story. She shared shocking stories of the hostility and harassment she has received from local residents and civil authorities attempting to stop her campaigns, culminating in her arrest, prosecution and subsequent acquittal for praying silently in the vicinity of abortion clinics in Birmingham. More worryingly, she is currently under police investigation again for praying silently.

Tom Ward might be in his 80s, but his passion for promoting the Divine Mercy Devotion still burns brightly through his inspiring life story, whilst Mark McClean presented a detailed context of how God is preparing his people for the New Pentecost, and reminded delegates of the significance of the messages of the Blessed Virgin Mary concerning the conversion of Russia.

Participants left the gathering healed in heart, empowered to live their true calling, and aflame with the Spirit to set the world on fire.