26 Mar 2026, 17:11Colin Hanna, edited by SM CommunicationsCrieff, Perth and Kinross, Scotland, United Kingdom
Crieff Church Celebrates Twenty Years of Crieff Aid Projects (CAP)
Celebrating 20 years of Crieff Aid Projects (CAP), Crieff Seventh-day Adventist Church reflects on two decades of service, generosity and impact.
When the G8 Summit took place at Gleneagles Hotel in 2005, the nearby town of Crieff became a hub for government officials, protesters and international media, being located less than ten miles from the summit venue.
During this time, Crieff Seventh-day Adventist Church joined with other local congregations to highlight the Bible’s message of care for the poor and the vulnerable, with Make Poverty History banners visible on churches and in church grounds across the town.
But after the television cameras had moved on, the protesters had dispersed and the banners had been taken down, Crieff church member Steve Logan began to reflect on the need to go beyond words and take practical action to support those facing hardship. From this reflection, the idea for CAP – Crieff Aid Projects – was born.
Church members would freely give into a fund to support small-scale aid projects where CAP’s limited resources could make a real difference to those in need. Importantly, there would be a personal connection with someone from the church to provide a degree of oversight and reassurance that the financial gifts were being used wisely.
In addition to freewill offerings from individual members, the church board voted to support the work of CAP with grants from church funds where possible. That was twenty years ago, and to date the funds given by the Crieff church family to support these projects have topped £350,000. This is a remarkable contribution for a church with fewer than one hundred members.
More importantly, however, is the number of projects CAP has supported and the thousands of people whose lives have been impacted. The support has not been solely financial. Church members have given their time and labour to help rebuild homes, build clinics and raise roofs. Some of the projects supported have included financing orphanages in Lesotho and Ukraine, providing emergency supplies following disasters in Chad and Beirut, and supporting the start-up of micro-businesses in Malawi and the Philippines – giving opportunity to open the door to a brighter future.
CAP has supported the construction of clinics in Romania and sanitation facilities in Albania, installed solar panels in Zambia and helped to electrify a school in Zimbabwe. Across Africa, individuals who were sick or marginalised have received treatment, while those injured in Ukraine have been supported in their recovery. In Beirut and Mexico, food assistance has been provided to those in need, and communities displaced by conflict have received essential supplies and access to education. In addition, some refugee children have been given a small rucksack of their own to carry their personal belongings.
CAP also supports local communities, with a minimum of 25% of church grants allocated to projects close to home. For many years, the church has partnered with Perthshire Women's Aid to provide emergency support for women seeking refuge. It has also provided respite for carers and worked with organisations addressing poverty to support those facing the challenges of debt. A local initiative, proposed by one of the church’s young adults, offers haircuts for people experiencing homelessness, helping to restore a sense of dignity.
Above all, these expressions of Christian love have been underpinned by many prayers. Over the past twenty years, CAP has grown from a simple reflection into a sustained commitment to serving others, made possible through God’s blessing and the willing generosity of this small church community in rural Perthshire.
Through both local and international work, CAP continues to reflect a practical faith – expressing care for others and gratitude for the provision of a loving Heavenly Father. This work continues in Christ’s name.
Celebrating 20 years of Crieff Aid Projects (CAP), Crieff Seventh-day Adventist Church reflects on two decades of service, generosity and impact.
When the G8 Summit took place at Gleneagles Hotel in 2005, the nearby town of Crieff became a hub for government officials, protesters and international media, being located less than ten miles from the summit venue.
During this time, Crieff Seventh-day Adventist Church joined with other local congregations to highlight the Bible’s message of care for the poor and the vulnerable, with Make Poverty History banners visible on churches and in church grounds across the town.
But after the television cameras had moved on, the protesters had dispersed and the banners had been taken down, Crieff church member Steve Logan began to reflect on the need to go beyond words and take practical action to support those facing hardship. From this reflection, the idea for CAP – Crieff Aid Projects – was born.
Church members would freely give into a fund to support small-scale aid projects where CAP’s limited resources could make a real difference to those in need. Importantly, there would be a personal connection with someone from the church to provide a degree of oversight and reassurance that the financial gifts were being used wisely.
In addition to freewill offerings from individual members, the church board voted to support the work of CAP with grants from church funds where possible. That was twenty years ago, and to date the funds given by the Crieff church family to support these projects have topped £350,000. This is a remarkable contribution for a church with fewer than one hundred members.
More importantly, however, is the number of projects CAP has supported and the thousands of people whose lives have been impacted. The support has not been solely financial. Church members have given their time and labour to help rebuild homes, build clinics and raise roofs. Some of the projects supported have included financing orphanages in Lesotho and Ukraine, providing emergency supplies following disasters in Chad and Beirut, and supporting the start-up of micro-businesses in Malawi and the Philippines – giving opportunity to open the door to a brighter future.
CAP has supported the construction of clinics in Romania and sanitation facilities in Albania, installed solar panels in Zambia and helped to electrify a school in Zimbabwe. Across Africa, individuals who were sick or marginalised have received treatment, while those injured in Ukraine have been supported in their recovery. In Beirut and Mexico, food assistance has been provided to those in need, and communities displaced by conflict have received essential supplies and access to education. In addition, some refugee children have been given a small rucksack of their own to carry their personal belongings.
CAP also supports local communities, with a minimum of 25% of church grants allocated to projects close to home. For many years, the church has partnered with Perthshire Women's Aid to provide emergency support for women seeking refuge. It has also provided respite for carers and worked with organisations addressing poverty to support those facing the challenges of debt. A local initiative, proposed by one of the church’s young adults, offers haircuts for people experiencing homelessness, helping to restore a sense of dignity.
Above all, these expressions of Christian love have been underpinned by many prayers. Over the past twenty years, CAP has grown from a simple reflection into a sustained commitment to serving others, made possible through God’s blessing and the willing generosity of this small church community in rural Perthshire.
Through both local and international work, CAP continues to reflect a practical faith – expressing care for others and gratitude for the provision of a loving Heavenly Father. This work continues in Christ’s name.
