The producer of one of the most successful sports-themed movies ever is opening this year's Christian Resources Exhibition International.

Lord David Puttnam, producer of Chariots of Fire, is at Sandown Park in Esher, Surrey, today where he will help to launch new church resources from Damaris Trust to make the most of the release of the digitally re-mastered film in cinemas this summer.

Chariots of Fire, originally released in 1981, tells the amazing true story of Eric Liddell, a devout Christian who ran for the glory of God and won gold at the 1924 Summer Olympics. In real life, Liddell left the world of athletics to become a missionary in China. He would later die in a Chinese internment camp.

"In this unique year, with the London Games at the very top of the agenda, we are delighted to invite such a distinguished person to open the show," said Paul Trott, head of marketing for CRE's parent company Bible Society.

"The story of Eric Liddell continues to inspire and challenge. We expect hundreds of UK churches to come to CRE and discover some great ways to communicate to their communities before and during the Games."

Lord Puttnam's visit to Sandown Park coincides with the launch of the first-ever UK Christian Film Festival taking place at CRE.

The festival will feature some of the latest Christian productions such as Lion of Judah (Ernest Borgnine, Michael Madsen) and Jerusalem Countdown (Lee Majors, Randy Travis). Also screened will be movies from up-and-coming Christian filmmakers, among them the first Christian Bollywood offering, Anbirkk Alavillai.

Festival director Ray Horowitz said: “We are very excited about our partnership with CRE and Bible Society, enabling us to bring the best of Christian films to the largest audience possible.”

CRE will also showcase Olympics resources, from stage plays to party packs and sports Bibles.

More Than Gold, the umbrella group for church outreach during the Games, estimates that as many as 5,000 churches plan to engage with their communities and welcome international visitors.

The pocket-sized More Than Gold Mini-Mag produced by Verité contains a history of the Olympics, including venues, facts, stats and trivia, along with testimonies from Olympians and a down-to-earth message. It is being translated into many different languages.

"The Mini-Mag makes the perfect giveaway," said Verité's Chris Powell. "Unlike a tract, it won't be discarded."

The More Than Gold Stage Spectacular is a stunning musical stage production using an innovative mix of acting, puppetry, mime, movement and sound. It features a soundtrack with unique character voices and a backing track if performed live. Designs and blueprints are provided to help create the props needed for the production.

The Churches For All zone at CRE will feature a special Paralympics theme. Visitors to the Torch Trust stand will have the chance to try out a hand-cycle similar to those used in the London Games.

An easy-to-read companion to the Games, More Than Conquerors, features testimonies from Paralympic athletes who face mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness and cerebral palsy.

Send A Cow will promote their ‘Recycling Olympics’ materials for schools and church youth groups.

"We are inviting churches to hold an alternative sports day and try out traditional African games – or African twists on some Olympic sports – using recycled materials," explains Send A Cow's Eleanor Simmons.

"We show you how to make plastic bag footballs African-style. These are already extremely popular with children in the UK. This year, we’ve added ideas for a wide range of fun events – all highlighting the need to learn from Africa and make better use of our resources."

This year's CRE also includes a special women's conference being led by Messy Church founder Lucy Moore to help women balance their inner Mary and Martha.

"How are ordinary women like you and me getting alongside families and living out our faith in front of them?" said Moore.

"How can the structures of a church actively help relationships flourish?"

Joining her as a speaker at the conference will be a number of popular figures including Margaret Sentamu, Jennifer Rees Larcombe and Anne Le Tissier.

The Rev Marlene Greaves is hosting a fashion show to model the latest in clerical vestments. Rev Greaves gained a fashion degree alongside the now infamous designer John Galliano and utilises art, literature, dance and drama to "creatively lead the lost to Christ, edify the church, and enrich the Kingdom".

She is currently developing a range of liturgical dance wear which should be available by the autumn. She will be joined by six other models displaying a wide variety of formal and informal ecclesiastical clothing by designers like Vanpoulles, Jacquie Binns and Juliet Hemingray who believes women clergy have brought a fresh look to clerical clothing.

"They won't put up with worn-out robes," says Hemingray, who works with Church Textiles in Derby. "This has rubbed off on male clergy."

The models include former pop star and Premier Christian Radio presenter Rev Cindy Kent. She first found fame as lead singer of 60s folk group The Settlers who stormed the charts with The Lightning Tree - theme song to the TV series Follyfoot - and worked with stars such as Cliff Richard, Dusty Springfield and Roy Orbison. She is now priest-in-charge at St John the Apostle in Whetstone, North London.

As well as wearing new and sumptuous vestments, Rev Kent will sport a 'chasustole' - a combination of chasuble and stole.

"It was made for me by Sister Carol of the Community of the Resurrection of Our Lord in Grahamstown, South Africa," she explained.

"My church has strong links with the community and raises money each year for their Amasango School for Streetchildren. Sister Carol was Mother Superior some years ago and is very artistic.

"It's reversible - red to white - and beautifully embroidered. I'm pretty sure it's the only one in the UK."