More than 600 church workers from 41 countries and four continents have attended the European Leadership Forum (ELF).
The mission of ELF, which was held in Wisla, Poland, is to ‘unite, equip and resource evangelical leaders to renew the Biblical church and evangelise Europe’. Their desire is for different evangelical groups to work together to achieve more than any single organisation can on their own.
John Stevens (FIEC National Director), Adrian Reynolds (FIEC Head of National Ministries), and Jonathan Bond (FIEC Director for Smaller Churches see photo) represented the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, with Stevens and Reynolds also leading some of the workshops and seminars.
The Forum is a rare opportunity to spend time talking to, encouraging, and praying with those who serve in evangelical churches across the continent, especially in the current climate of war and uncertainty in the east.
Jonathan Bond reports: ‘It was humbling for us all to hear of how the churches in countries bordering Ukraine are seeking to support the numerous refugees fleeing that land – some who, of course, are Christians.
‘One church reported an increase of over 50% (80 new people) now attending the church. They are now seeking to find accommodation for these people as well as supporting them spiritually after the trials they have experienced.’
Overall, the evangelical Christian community makes up a very small percentage of the population of Europe. Yet, there is encouragement that many of these believers are passionate to share the gospel and have a real conviction that God is able and willing to save.
Bond said: ‘We may bemoan the minority that the evangelical church makes up of the population in the UK, but many of our brothers and sisters across Europe are minuscule in number in their respective countries compared to us. They also lack so many of the resources we all too often take for granted.
‘I was struck and encouraged with how much the different strands of the evangelical church are willing to work together for the sake of men, women, boys, and girls hearing the gospel message.’
