|PIC1|UK-based Christian youth organisation Crusaders has kicked off the new year with an imminent change of name to Urban Saints.

As the organisation celebrated their 100th anniversary last May, they announced their new name to be used from 1 January 2007.

In addition, Urban Saints has already announced a line-up of numerous one-day training conferences in 2007 throughout the UK. The theme is 'Shaping the dreams of this generation'. The first one-day conference takes place 20 January in Sevenoaks.

Claims that the name 'Crusaders' is anti-Islamic were one of the reasons for the change. Schools and charities said its name might be offensive to Muslims, and that it was too closely associated with the crusades, the military campaigns in the 11th and 13th centuries to recapture Jerusalem and the Holy Land from the Muslims.

"Our new identity is part of a recognition that we are now a 21st-century organisation and are not still stuck in the last century," said Matt Summerfield, executive director. "There are some people who love the name Crusaders, but we recognise that others get very offended by it, as they think we are harking back to the historical crusades."

Last October, Urban Saints organised a special charity event featuring its patron, Sir Cliff Richard, as a follow-up to their main centenary and 'new-name' celebration.

'An evening with Sir Cliff Richard' was hosted by the organisation's president Steve Chalke, as he interviewed Sir Cliff regarding his life and faith.