This experience certainly inspires us to return to our communities with renewed enthusiasm and vision, knowing that we are not alone in our journey and the challenges we face.
More than 800 leaders from 53 countries gathered in Wisła, Poland for the 2025 ELF conference. / Photo: Leti Landrau, [link]ELF[/link].
The European Leadership Forum (ELF) is an extraordinary platform that brings evangelical leaders from all over Europe together to be equipped and receive spiritual renewal.
Now in its 23rd year, this annual gathering provided a unique opportunity to address ministry challenges and find new inspiration for the future.
From 17 to 22 May, more than 800 leaders from 53 countries gathered in Wisła, Poland. Each brought their own unique set of experiences and difficulties, but they were all motivated by a common commitment to be a vehicle for proclaiming the Gospel.
Some participants were looking for creative inspiration for their own communities, others wanted to establish continent-wide connections, and still others were looking for training tools and materials that were not adequately available in their home denominations or countries.
Many were seeking relief from 'ministry burnout', a form of burnout and exhaustion that is becoming increasingly common among those who are constantly engaged in proclaiming the Gospel.
Participating in the ELF was an incredible and enriching experience for me. Walking through the corridors and meeting people from different parts of Europe was like opening a book of living, breathing stories.
Every meeting and conversation was an opportunity to discover new cultures and share faith experiences. I will try to summarise my experience in three snapshots:
Sharing meals and discussing the wonderful things God is doing in our respective countries was a great way to connect.
Hearing the story of a pastor who moved from southern Russia to Austria and found himself helping Ukrainian refugees, and of a sister from Lebanon running a publishing house, are just two examples of how God is working powerfully in different contexts with a common purpose.
These moments allowed us to rejoice in our shared vision of what God can accomplish in our cities. We met amidst our own stories and rediscovered that we are part of a larger story.
Looking in the mirror and turning our attention towards our country was inevitable. Italy is a challenging place; the history and culture of our country present unique challenges to spreading the biblical message.
However, as people transformed by the Gospel, it is in those difficulties that we find our opportunity to grow and develop a culture of collaboration among evangelical churches and believers.
As a community of believers, it is crucial that we unite in both prayer and concrete action to overcome such barriers. Collaboration is not just an option, but a necessity to address the challenges we face.
When we work together, we share resources and ideas and learn from each other. The European Leadership Forum has certainly provided us with the tools and inspiration to do so.
At the heart of the ELF is its commitment to support every leader, and to be “a bridge connecting the needs of local leaders with the global resources of God”.
This statement, repeated often throughout the event, emphasises the importance of community and mutual support among evangelical leaders.
One of the ELF's defining features is its strong drive for unity and common commitment, firmly rooted in a biblically sound foundation of remaining faithful to Scripture in order to meet the challenges of our age.
The ELF's mission is clear: “to unite, equip and support evangelical leaders in renewing the Church and evangelising Europe”.
For me, it was incredible to see cultural differences as strengths, and how collaboration and common faith came together with the desire to make a lasting impact on Europe and beyond.
This experience certainly inspires us to return to our communities with renewed enthusiasm and vision, knowing that we are not alone in our journey and the challenges we face.
Our commitment is therefore to return to our local communities with a renewed perspective ready to make a difference by promoting a culture of collaboration.
We are called to be bearers of hope, even in the most hostile of places, and to work not only for our communities, but also for the advancement of the Kingdom of God in Italy, Europe and the rest of the world.
May our journey and testimony be shaped by a culture of collaboration, as we continue to work not to advance our own project, but for the glory of God.
Isabella Savino, English teacher and IFED theology graduate in Modena, Italy. This article was first published in Loci Communes and translated from Italian into English with permission.
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[title]Join us to make EF sustainable[/title]
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[text]At Evangelical Focus, we have a sustainability challenge ahead. We invite you to join those across Europe and beyond who are committed with our mission. Together, we will ensure the continuity of Evangelical Focus and our Spanish partner Protestante Digital in 2025.
Learn all about our #TogetherInThisMission initiative here (English).
[/text][/analysis]
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