David Lowe, founder of the CFF, started it in an informal way in 1976, and as the group structure evolved, many groups sprang up and multiplied till there was a network of groups all over the UK.
But times have changed. As the internet has developed, with many opportunities for keeping in touch or meeting new people that way, prospective members have become less keen to join groups, and so numbers have declined. Since groups were not allowed to meet during the Covid pandemic, many groups struggled to restart afterwards, and as group leaders are now very much in the older age bracket with very few (if any) young people in groups, the Trustees – who are also getting older and have volunteered their time freely for (mostly) over 13 years – decided that the 50th anniversary of the CFF in August 2026 would be an appropriate date to close it. For many years the CFF has fulfilled its purpose, and now following its lead, other Christian groups are offering the opportunity for single Christians to be together – but through meet-ups organised online. So the Trustees reckon the CFF has been successful in its mission.
If existing group members still wish to meet after August 2026, either on a regular or an ad hoc basis, this would be perfectly possible, but they would no longer be a “CFF Group” as the CFF will be dissolved by the Charity Commission and its assets given to a similar charity. There has been be a final CFF AGM in London, and now the CFF is in the process of closing.
There are therefore no more opportunities for people to connect with the CFF with a view to joining a group, nor will there be any further CFF Bible Studies by Zoom. This website will be closed down and the CFF phone is also being stopped. We are grateful for all the happy memories we have of this organisation, and for the part it has played in the lives of so many people.