<< Back to Summer E-Newsletter
For centuries the world has focused on Europe. It is situated within a relatively small geographical area with over 100 languages, 48 countries and many more cultures with history stretching over thousands of years. Europe has been a leader for centuries in setting the stage for the rest of the world in architecture, law, technology, science, culture and religion. It is a place of influence. It has been a home, sadly, for two World Wars and has produced such Christian giants as Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, and Charles Spurgeon.
However, in the last few decades, there has been an increase in materialism, secularism and neo-paganism that has replaced the Christian moral value system. “Even though Europeans have never been as free to hear and respond to the gospel as today, the reality is that Europe continues to be one of the major challenges for the church of Christ in our times,” reports European Christian Mission International. Only one out of every 40 Europeans is an Evangelical Christian (2.4%) and there is only 1% of Evangelical Christians in more than twenty European nations.
It is in that context that EQUIP rolled up its sleeves 3 years ago and purposed to train leaders to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ with greater power and effectiveness. EQUIP has trained, resourced and encouraged thousands of Christian leaders in 20 nations beginning in the UK and stretching all the way to Eastern Europe and into Russia. Conferences were held in key population centers across the continent to train leaders, encouraging them as well as helping them raise their leadership skills to new levels.
This May, for the first time since the Million Leader Mandate Launch in 2005, European country coordinators representing 24 countries and 17 languages gathered in the heart of Europe, in Prague, Czech Republic, to celebrate and evaluate the results of MLM (Million Leaders Mandate). There was warmth and excitement among the leaders who are catalysts in the largest and most comprehensive leadership development project ever undertaken in Europe. As Tom Atema, EQUIP Vice President of International Ministries, cast the vision for the next step – MLM Volume 2 curriculum - country coordinators confirmed their commitment and determination to continue developing effective Christian leaders to reach their continent.
 EQUIP is planning to launch MLM in six new European countries in the next year, including Moldova, Serbia, Georgia, France, Slovakia, and Denmark, in addition to the existing 20 countries with MLM training. What a joy it was to see passionate vision, leadership maturity and enthusiasm in country coordinators who are eager to take the training to the new countries in addition to directing their own.
During the opening session, European leaders shared powerful stories of how the Lord has been using MLM training to impact their communities, churches, ministries, and businesses.
Being a European myself, I know all too well the deadly grip that postmodernism has on Western Europe and of the terribly distorted view of leadership caused by communism in Eastern Europe. Yet, I was overwhelmed, humbled and exhilarated as I heard one story after another, all with one theme in common – impact! Without a doubt, every country’s leadership and missionary landscape was changed forever, yet each country was impacted in different ways.
In Armenia, MLM is now the highest ministry priority among churches. “I’m seminary trained -in fact, two degrees”, shared Pastor Karen Kachatryan, Armenia Country Coordinator – “but I was starving for training that is practical and would really work. MLM is it!”
In Turkey, “Churches were discouraged and fearful until EQUIP came – now they are full of hope and passion. The Christian community there is tiny, but EQUIP has given us tools for growth,” said Turkey Coordinator.
“MLM has strengthened unity, vision and life in the Austrian church!” And in UK, “Over 9,000 Biblical servant leaders have been trained and as signs of a spiritual awakening begin to appear, a team is in place to reap the harvest,” Simon Jarvis wholeheartedly shared with us.
About 17,000 leaders have been trained in Ukraine through MLM. Within the last few years, this country has become not just the "Bible Belt" of the region, but a hub of evangelical church life, education, and missions that continues to influence surrounding nations. Many of these Ukrainian leaders take the training to Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union.
In Italy, the impact is spreading. “In addition to training pastors, we have taught top business and government leaders and never have the accuracy and power of the MLM principles ever been questioned or challenged. They work!” assured Gaetano Sotile, the Italian Coordinator. “Don’t forget,” he added, “we have something powerful in our hands - more powerful than dynamite - it’s the EQUIP notebooks. It is transforming leaders, churches and whole countries!”
It worked! MLM really worked in Europe! And to the surprise of many, it worked in postmodern Western Europe as well! God is faithful and He will have the ultimate victory over the dark powers of secularism in this world. He is strategically preparing his warriors in Europe for the final days before His return. His Word and plan can not be altered, and His Kingdom will stand forever.
Million Leader Mandate has gone much further than what we dreamt of. Small flames that started in key cities across Europe have now become fires spreading all over the continent.
|
|
