More than 700 participants at the European Leadership Forum conference in Poland. Networks, seminaries and plenary sessions gave biblical perspectives on current issues. John Piper: “Prayer is central, the world does not need more Christians with powerless ministries”.
We love new technologies and we use them passionately. But we also know God’s mission is done through and for real people. The ELF conference in Wisla (Poland) reinforces our aim to analyse the big challenges of today through the Christian worldview.
Is the arrival of thousands of Muslims to Europe a threat to Christianity? What is the growth of evangelical churches in Eastern and Southern Europe? An interview with theologian and Lausanne Movement representative Lindsay Brown.
About 70 trained volunteers are ready to go from Egypt to Europe with the “Give A Hand” project. Speaking in Arabic to refugees arriving in Lesvos “gave them a feeling to finally be understood by somebody.”
Usama Hanna (MEOS, Switzerland) believes churches in Switzerland and across Europe “are opening up to integration.” He emphasises the importance of “praying for and with the refugees.”
Free Church of Scotland Moderator David Robertson: “If this is an attempt to state there is a church where one does not exist, then this is a foolish policy. The church is not a virtual organisation which one can join, opt out of, switch off and on as you please.”
What should be the approach to refugees coming from an Arabic background? What is important to them? How can we talk to them about God? Usama Hanna (MEOS, Switzerland) gives some answers.
Evangelical Focus asked the well-known Pentecostal pastor about his “open” approach to Roman Catholicism. Traettino defended his position about ecumenism during the Italian Evangelical Alliance 2016 assembly (8-9 April, Rome).
More than 500 people participated in the convention of the National Union of Protestant Reformed Evangelical Churches (UNEPREF). Church planting, environmental care were also discussed.
The Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance believes the views of evangelical minorities in Catholic countries should be “heared” before relating to the Vatican. In an interview with Evangelical Focus, he also highlighted the role of the churches in the refugee crisis.
Whitney Gerdes (IAFR) explains how refugee children “develop a ‘new normal’ very quickly”, but they also “need to be kids”. Local churches are very important in that process.
The World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General participated in the Italian Evangelical Alliance assembly (Rome, 8-9 April). In this interview with Evangelical Focus, Bp Tendero talks about the need to listen to local churches and to face challenges like the refugee crisis and climate change.
Swiss cartoonist Alain Auderset on how his ‘Willy Grunch’ animation video went viral on Facebook. His new project, a “book without words” to share the gospel.
What are some of the struggles child refugees face? Can church members serve them? What should we have in mind? Whitney Gerdes (IAFR) gives answers. Watch Video (7 min).
Robert Strong (OM Netherlands) on the experience of opening the church building to offer tea and a safe place changes the perspective of Christians and creates opportunities to speak about God.
Free Church of Scotland Moderator David Robertson analyses low numbers of church attendants. “There are great opportunities for the gospel, many people think they have rejected Christianity but they haven't a clue what it is.”
Efraim Tendero (World Evangelical Alliance) and Jaume Llenas (Spanish Evangelical Alliance) agree in their disapproval of ecumenism and emphasise mission: “If we stop sharing the gospel, we stop being evangelical Christians”. A second report from the 2016 Italian Evangelical Alliance assembly.
Two Christians in Ecuador explain how the country tries to go back to its feet after an earthquake killed more than 430 people. “May the Lord give us wisdom and words of hope for those who have suffered the devastation.”
What can members of local churches do to welcome asylum seekers living in their region? Robert Strong (Netherlands) suggests some easy steps we can follow.
“There are around 33,000 prostituted women in France, and 80% are victims of trafficking”, says Marcel Georgel. He works algonside victims of human trafficking in Nantes (France).
Christian volunteers from Korce (Albania) serve in the well-known camp in Greece. In weekly teams of 10 people they work with a Children's Corner. “SD memory Cards which contain the Jesus film and Bible in Arabic” are given to some adults.
The majority of Italian evangelicals are in favour of co-belligerence, but clearly dismiss ecumenism. A first report of the Italian Evangelical Alliance assembly, in Rome (8-9 April).
The Italian Evangelical Alliance celebrated its annual assembly in Rome (8-9 April). The theme was “Evangelical Faith and Roman Catholicism: where are we? Where are we going?”.
Doug Marshall (IAFR) shares about the situation of refugees in Malta. “I would challenge the political right [in Europe] to be a little bit more engaging. Especially if they claim to be Christian right.”
Professor Pietro Bolognesi and Italian Evangelical Alliance vice-president Leonardo de Chirico sahre their views ahead of the meeting which will discuss Roman Catholic-Evangelical relationships.
Las opiniones vertidas por nuestros colaboradores se realizan a nivel personal, pudiendo coincidir o no con la postura de la dirección de Protestante Digital.
