|PIC1|Nearly 1000 people have gathered in St Albans Abbey for the Crusaders National Thanksgiving Service, 9 September.

In the closing stages of their Centenary year, Crusaders held the praise event to acknowledge and reflect on the past 100 years and to celebrate the future.

The youth and children's missionary movement invited international evangelist, Luis Palau to be the keynote speaker at the event. Palau encouraged the guests to grasp hold of the future and continue to support the movement as it moved into its second century.

Crusaders' Executive Director, Matt Summerfield, interviewed several of his predecessors, including a contribution from the current Executive Director of 'The Crusaders Union in Australia', Gary Hill, who had flown in for the occasion.

Singer-songwriter Beth Tysall, herself a former Crusader, sang a hymn written for the service by 94.-year-old Vice President, Dr Randle Manwaring, while the author himself looked on from the congregation.

Crusaders will also be hosting 'An Evening with Sir Cliff Richard', as the last part of their Centenary celebrations, on Monday 2nd October in London's Emmanuel Centre. The superstar, who is Crusaders' Patron, will share stories of his life and faith, interviewed by Crusaders' President, Steve Chalke.

The main centenary celebration took place in May, where some 4000 people have gathered at the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate Crusaders' 100th birthday.

The sold-out celebration was titled 'No Turning Back: The Main Event' and featured music from some of the UK's top Christian bands and performers including Delirious?, yFriday, thebandwithnoname, Blush, The Psalm Drummers, Rob Lacey (Street Bible Theatre Company), Steve Legg, Tommy Baker, Tim Vine and John Archer.