Next month, over 1,000 Christian leaders, pastors, and evangelists from more than 50 European countries and territories will gather in Berlin, Germany, for a week focused on evangelism.
Hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), the European Congress on Evangelism is focused on reigniting, unifying, and strengthening the church in Europe with a passion to proclaim the Gospel.
“The fact that there is interest in this is no small thing because [evangelism] is not a popular topic in Europe or more developed countries,” said Jeremy Hoffman, senior managing director for the congress.
In a 2017 Pew Research survey of 15 Western European countries, only 27% said they believe in the God of the Bible. Of those, even fewer live out the Christian faith with an eagerness to share it with others.
During the congress, speakers from around the world—including Franklin Graham and Will Graham—will focus on the theme of Romans 1:16—being unashamed of the Gospel of Christ.
Attendees are also encouraged to share their own experiences with each other, inspiring and lifting up one another in their calling.
“They aren’t just coming to get something from this; they are a contributor to this,” Hoffman said. “Participants are going to influence the person sitting next to them in sessions or talking with them over coffee.”
Planning for this event has taken special consideration for each country represented.
“The challenge is the context in which the church exists,” Hoffman said, offering an example. “The church in the U.K. is very different from the church in Turkey.”
The body of Christ in one area of Europe may face war and persecution, he said, while another area may battle skepticism and apathy.
“Building a program that works for all is a great challenge,” Hoffman added.
The upcoming congress follows a long history of BGEA gatherings aimed at equipping believers in the faith—an effort Billy Graham was passionate about during his 70-plus years of ministry. The first congress on evangelism took place in Berlin in 1966, bringing together over 1,200 Christian leaders from across the globe.
Marc Van de Wouwer—an evangelist and retired member of Belgium’s Federal Judicial Police—remembers attending the Congress on Evangelism in Amsterdam in 2000.
“At the time, there were very few evangelists in Belgium. … I suffered from this loneliness,” he shared. “I also wanted to renew my vision for proclaiming the Gospel and acquire new tools [to do so].”
His experience 25 years ago spurred him on to organize a local congress for evangelism and ultimately found an evangelistic organization in Belgium.
Now, with plans to attend the European Congress on Evangelism in May, the 66-year-old is looking forward to investing in the next generation of evangelists.
“When I see the impact of congresses in my own life and ministry, as well as in the lives of many ministers I know, I believe they are essential to encourage and boost evangelists,” he said.
“The world without Christ needs dedicated and sent evangelists who can spread the Good News of salvation and their passion for Jesus. Congresses for evangelists on a global scale play a vital role in this goal.”
Please pray that those who attend the European Congress on Evangelism in Berlin next month will experience a reawakening in their call to boldly spread the Gospel in the face of opposition. And ask God to use them as He draws people across the continent to faith in Jesus Christ.
