“Together for Europe” – Uniting the Movement’s European Missionaries

Nearly 2,000 people from 43 European countries, including Poland, gathered for a historic conference organized for the first time after the merger of Campus Crusade for Christ from Western and Central-Eastern Europe into a single region. “Together for Europe” brought together staff, families, and friends of the mission, renewing the vision and strengthening unity in the understanding that God has the future under control.

The conference proved to be a turning point for many participants. "In Berlin, I experienced a sense of identity and belonging—that we are one body," commented one of the Agape Europe* leaders, emphasizing the power of community.

Participants shared their stories with one another, laughed, and talked, affirming their love for Jesus and the mission of bringing hope to the world. As the organizers point out, the conference was a call to go out "in the power of the Holy Spirit and courageously proclaim the Word of God."

Examples of Creative Evangelism

During the conference, innovative ideas for sharing the Good News were presented, including projects from Germany, Portugal, and Spain.

• German evangelists on Mallorca reach out to their compatriots looking for "entertainment" there. This often results in a spiritual conversion and a return to the church in their home country (https://thefour.com/reachout/reach-mallorca-school/).

• In Portugal, missionaries feed pilgrims walking to Fatima and talk to them about Jesus. Conference stories revealed that these pilgrims are extremely open to dialogue.

• In Spain, there is a ministry dedicated to embracing those whom no one else wants to embrace—refugees, the homeless, and people on the margins of society. The stories of the lostness and pain of these individuals brought tears to people's eyes.

Europe is Reviving

Participants emphasized that Europe appears to be more spiritually open. It was noted that churches, especially in the West, are becoming "vibrant and full of young people." Statistics cited during the conference indicated that 80% of young people in Europe are interested in spirituality, which is leading to a resurgence of traditional forms of religiosity, among other things.

• In France, traditional churches are being revitalized because youth are seeking a liturgical form of prayer, similar to those in the Catholic Church.

• In Switzerland, as part of the Movement’s ministry among youth, 30 baptisms took place this year.

One creative idea was the initiative of the German director of Campus für Christus, who partnered with a baker. Rolls sold in the millions have the AGAPE EUROPE logo on their bags, which serves as a quiet form of evangelism.

Valuable Content

The entire conference was filled with valuable content. In addition to evangelism, participants also had the opportunity for development through numerous lectures and workshops. The time in Berlin encouraged the cultivation of love for God and neighbor in various ways.

The performances by artists associated with our Movement's ministry called Crescendo made an exceptional impression. The musical setting and dance will remain in the hearts of the participants for a long time. The worship was prepared in diverse forms and at a professional level, ranging from a Gospel choir to pop music and ending with classical reflection. This enriched the conference and had a huge impact on its celebratory atmosphere.

United in Diversity

The event was a testament to mutual support and unity. During the Peace March through the streets of Berlin, a missionary who had been working alone in her city for years unexpectedly met a new colleague who was soon to move there. This was a "coincidence" that participants uniformly recognized as an assurance from God.

The joint conference in Berlin was a breakthrough for many missionaries. They appreciated the clear emphasis that our ministry must flow from a close relationship with God. "From Berlin, we are moving forward as one body, filled with the Spirit and hope," summarized European Director Javier Garcia. "The gathering refreshed the mission, helping us refocus on what is most important."

*As a region in Europe, the Campus Crusade for Christ mission is called Agape Europe, but individual countries can choose their own names. Hence, Christian Movement MT28 in Poland or FOCUS in Croatia.