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        <title>Christian Daily International | Europe</title>
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            <title>Christian Daily International | Europe</title>
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                <title><![CDATA[Ukrainian evangelical churches receive Hope Award as Hope for Europe gathering closes in Albania]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/ukrainian-evangelical-churches-receive-hope-award-as-hope-for-europe-gathering-closes-in-albania</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/ukrainian-evangelical-churches-receive-hope-award-as-hope-for-europe-gathering-closes-in-albania</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Ukraine delegation receiving hope award]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ CDI for EEA ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Members of the Ukrainian delegation join Jan Wessels and Connie Main Duarte, co-general secretaries of the European Evangelical Alliance, on stage as Igor Bandura, general secretary of the Ukraine Council of Protestant Evangelical Churches, holds the Hope Award at Hope for Europe 2026 in Golem, Albania, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Jan Wessels (left) and Connie Main Duarte, co-general secretaries of the European Evangelical Alliance, present the Hope Award 2026 to Igor Bandura, general secretary of the Ukraine Council of Protestant Evangelical Churches, at Hope for Europe 2026 in Go]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ CDI for EEA ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Jan Wessels (left) and Connie Main Duarte, co-general secretaries of the European Evangelical Alliance, present the Hope Award 2026 to Igor Bandura, general secretary of the Ukraine Council of Protestant Evangelical Churches, at Hope for Europe 2026 in Golem, Albania, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Igor Bandura, general secretary of the Ukraine Council of Protestant Evangelical Churches, speaks after accepting the Hope Award on behalf of Ukraine’s evangelical churches at Hope for Europe 2026 in Golem, Albania, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ CDI for EEA ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Igor Bandura, general secretary of the Ukraine Council of Protestant Evangelical Churches, speaks after accepting the Hope Award on behalf of Ukraine’s evangelical churches at Hope for Europe 2026 in Golem, Albania, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Participants in Hope for Europe 2026, a five-day gathering of evangelical leaders from across Europe organized by the European Evangelical Alliance, held Oct. 5-9, 2026, in Golem, Albania.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ CDI for EEA ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Participants in Hope for Europe 2026, a five-day gathering of evangelical leaders from across Europe organized by the European Evangelical Alliance, held Oct. 5-9, 2026, in Golem, Albania. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2026 13:51:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The European Evangelical Alliance on Thursday evening (Oct. 8) presented its 2026 Hope Award to Ukraine’s evangelical Protestant churches.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The European Evangelical Alliance on Thursday evening (Oct. 8) presented its 2026 Hope Award to Ukraine’s evangelical Protestant churches. Alliance leaders said the churches had kept their doors open through years of war, turning their buildings into shelters and aid centers while their pastors stayed with those who could not flee.
The award was presented at Hope for Europe 2026, a five-day gathering of about 250 evangelical leaders from across the continent held under the theme “Hope in Uncertain Times.” Connie Main Duarte, co-general secretary of the alliance, said this year’s recipient differed from past ones because it was neither a single person nor one organization or project.
“For most of us, uncertainty means economic pressure, cultural change, or churches growing smaller,” Main Duarte said. “For this year’s recipient, uncertainty means sirens by day and by night.”
The entire Ukrainian delegation went on stage for the presentation. Igor Bandura, general secretary of the Ukraine Council of Protestant Evangelical Churches, accepted the award on the council’s behalf and thanked European believers for their prayers and practical support.
“The world must never grow accustomed to the war in Ukraine,” Bandura said.
Award honors work that inspires hope

The Hope Award originated in the Hope for Europe movement, whose networks continue to oversee it. Main Duarte said it carries no money and is given as a sign of honor to a person, group or project in Europe that reflects biblical hope along with partnership, networking, transformation and integrity.
The alliance also hopes the stories behind the award will travel across borders and prompt similar work elsewhere, she said.
Jan Wessels, who shares the general secretary role with Main Duarte, listed earlier recipients. They include the creation care organization A Rocha, the Greek Evangelical Alliance for its work with refugees in 2016, Home for Good for its care of children without homes, among others. At the last gathering, held in Sarajevo, the award went to Israel Olofinjana for his work on intercultural unity. Olofinjana now leads the One People Network that launched this week, as Christian Daily International previously reported.
Daily reality of air alerts
Wessels told participants he visited Ukraine in August for a national prayer breakfast and events marking 35 years of the country’s independence. He said he saw buildings and homes destroyed by bombing.
During a guided tour of a historic city center, an air raid alert ended the visit and sent the group looking for shelter, he said. For him it was a single alert, Wessels said, but for Ukrainian believers such interruptions have been part of daily life for years.
“And yet at that prayer breakfast, I heard people pray with the faith and the hope that humbled me,” he said.
Main Duarte described how Ukrainian congregations responded once the war began. According to her, church basements served as bomb shelters and church buildings stored food, medicine and generators, while youth groups organized as volunteer teams. Many pastors chose to remain with elderly people, frightened residents, and soldiers and their families, she said, and some of them were killed.
War brought unity across traditions
Wessels pointed to cooperation among Ukraine’s Protestant traditions as a reason for the award. Baptists, Pentecostals, Adventists, Lutherans, Reformed believers, Messianic Jewish congregations and others found that their shared faith in Christ outweighed their differences, he said, and they now address their government and society together.
Main Duarte said churches elsewhere in Europe had also been changed by welcoming Ukrainian refugees and hearing their accounts. Through that experience, she said, European churches were reminded what it means to suffer alongside others and to persevere.
The engraving on the award honors the council for inspiring churches in Europe and beyond and for showing the hope of Christ “through love, resilience, unity and sacrificial leadership in the midst of suffering.”
A reality of ‘two sides’

In his acceptance remarks, Bandura described the stark reality of the war. While Ukrainians are often called strong and resilient, he said, “We are being methodically and systematically killed day after day and the world is watching mostly in silence.”
He warned that if Ukraine does not prevail, the war would spread to other European countries. “If Ukraine falls, the advance of the gospel will suffer profound damage,” he said.
Bandura cited attacks from the previous day. He said a missile strike on an apartment building in the northern town of Pryluky killed 22 civilians, including five children, and wounded more than 50. Another strike that day on passenger buses killed 33 people, according to Bandura, and attacks on power infrastructure left Kyiv and four surrounding regions without electricity and water.
He also criticized those who continue to discuss trade and business with Russia while Ukrainians are dying from missile and drone attacks.
Bandura then turned to what he described as the other side of the story. In the churches represented by the council, he said, more than 40,000 people have been baptized during the war, and more than 2,000 pastors and deacons have been ordained, even though hundreds of others now serve in the armed forces and many have left the country with their families.
Hundreds of churches have been lost in occupied territories, Bandura said, but more new ones have been planted elsewhere in Ukraine. He added that Ukrainian refugees have started more than 400 groups and churches in 25 European Union countries, along with outreach programs, kindergartens and schools.
He thanked the gathering for the award and appealed to participants to “stay with Ukraine and pray for Ukraine.”
Networks, labs and prayer for nations

Hope for Europe 2026 concluded Friday morning. It was the movement’s fifth major gathering since 2002 and followed the 2022 meeting in Sarajevo.
Much of the week was given to networking and collaboration. From Tuesday through Thursday, organizers held 18 networking streams, each meeting once. Topics ranged from children’s ministry, prayer and peace and reconciliation to Roma ministry, refugees and the arts, and from disability and creation care to orphan care and ministry among Muslims.
Participants also took part in “Hope Labs,” small-group sessions on themes including family and identity, digital mission, faith in the public square, leadership and mission paradigms.
On two “Hope for the Nations” evenings, delegations from across Europe described conditions in their countries and shared prayer requests. Participants moved from table to table to listen and pray. Delegates wore traditional dress and served treats from their home countries.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA['Every tribe, nation and language': New network seeks to unite migrant and European churches]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/every-tribe-nation-and-language-new-network-seeks-to-unite-migrant-and-european-churches</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/every-tribe-nation-and-language-new-network-seeks-to-unite-migrant-and-european-churches</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Timothy Goropevsek]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Members of the One People Network steering group at the networks launch during Hope for Europe 2026 in Golem, Albania.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Christian Daily International ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Members of the One People Network steering group at the network's launch during Hope for Europe 2026 in Golem, Albania. From left: Laura Saulon of Latin Link and Lausanne Europe; the Rev. Dr. Israel Oluwole Olofinjana, founding director of the Centre for Missionaries from the Majority World and coordinator of the One People Network; Bethany Serengheu of the Peace and Reconciliation Network; Egzon Shala of the Swiss Evangelical Alliance; and Dr. Usha Reifsnider, co-director of Lausanne Europe. Christian Daily International ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2026 09:53:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The European Evangelical Alliance has launched a new network aimed at helping diaspora and indigenous European churches work together as one body, as debates over migration intensify across the continent.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The European Evangelical Alliance has launched a new network aimed at helping diaspora and indigenous European churches work together as one body, as debates over migration intensify across the continent.
The One People Network was officially launched at Hope for Europe 2026, the five-day gathering of about 250 evangelical leaders taking place in Golem, Albania, through Friday, Oct. 9, under the theme "Hope in Uncertain Times."
The network is coordinated by the Rev. Dr. Israel Oluwole Olofinjana, founding director of the Centre for Missionaries from the Majority World. In an interview, he told Christian Daily International that the idea had been discussed for years and that its timing now carries particular significance.
"It's been a conversation in the pipeline for some time, at least as far back as five, six years," Olofinjana said. "And I'm glad that it's happening for such a time as this, to use that reference from Esther. Because we're having these debates about migration in Europe. And so to have a network that wants to focus on diaspora, how diaspora work together with indigenous Europeans or Europeans, is critical."
From Nigeria to English Baptist pulpits
Olofinjana came to the United Kingdom from Nigeria as a missionary in 2004. From the outset, he said, he chose not to lead a congregation defined by a single diaspora community.
"Since then, I've gone intentionally on a journey of not leading what would be described as a diaspora church or a Nigerian church or an African church," he said. "I've worked among the English Baptists as a Baptist minister, and I've led three Baptist churches and one independent charismatic church."
He described those congregations as multicultural, including one white-majority church.
Alongside pastoral ministry, Olofinjana founded the Centre for Missionaries from the Majority World, which provides contextual training for missionaries arriving in Europe. He has also written academically on African diaspora Christianity and African missions in Europe.
Successive waves of migration
Over more than two decades, Olofinjana has watched several distinct waves of migration reshape churches in the UK and across Europe.
When he arrived in 2004, he said, he later recognized a pattern: a number of missionaries had come to the U.K. at the same time, intentionally, from South Korea, Zimbabwe, China and Nigeria.
Around 2014 and 2015, a further wave followed. "Iranians coming in because of some of the conflicts going on in the Middle East," he said. "So now some of the largest or fastest-growing churches in the UK and other parts of Europe are Iranian churches."
Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic came migration from Hong Kong, driven by political tensions there. Some pastors from Hong Kong, Olofinjana said, "have decided not to be in a Chinese or Hong Kong church, but to integrate within other churches and spheres."
Russia's war in Ukraine has since brought Ukrainians into European churches, "engaging in different ways and in different spaces," he said.
"So there's been different moves, successive waves of migration with different characteristics," he said.
Beyond 'landlord and tenant'
Asked about relations between migrant churches and established European congregations, Olofinjana pointed to several models of good practice.
One of the most common is building sharing, in which a migrant congregation meets in a Lutheran, Baptist or other church building. In some cases, he said, the arrangement goes no further than a lease.
"Some of them are landlord-tenant relationships. So the congregation is just renting the building and that's it. Nothing else goes further," he said. "But others are intentionally building relationships and are going beyond just landlord-tenant and actually doing joint services together, or running some missions together, or discipleship together."
National evangelical alliances offer another route. Olofinjana cited Switzerland and the U.K. as examples, as both have employed a diaspora or intercultural leader to work across communities. Egzon Shala fills that role at the Swiss Evangelical Alliance, he said, while Olofinjana himself previously served in a similar capacity with the Evangelical Alliance of the U.K.
'Contested migration is a big barrier'
Asked what he sees as the greatest obstacle to closer relationships, Olofinjana pointed to the way migration is currently viewed in Europe, both in society and in the church.
"I think at the moment, while society is agitating around what that means for us, people in the churches as well are asking those questions, and they are not sure whether this is good or bad," he said. "And so many in our churches are not fully convinced that migration is a force for good."
That uncertainty, he said, shapes life inside congregations.
"If people are not fully convinced that migration is a force for good, then we will have people sitting in the church alongside refugees and asylum seekers, but internally they are not sure about what this dynamic means for them," he said. "So it's a barrier. Contested migration is a big barrier."
His answer to that barrier is discipleship, specifically teaching a theology of migration grounded in Scripture.
"Discipleship is key to navigate those barriers," he said. "And what I mean by that discipleship is how people are taught about the theology of migration, to unpack Scriptures to help people understand that this is not just a political issue. What does the Scripture have to say about this topic and this subject?"
'Every tribe, nation and language'
The One People Network is inspired by the picture in Revelation 7:9. "Our vision is to see how Europe can be transformed by the Revelation vision of every tribe, nation and language," Olofinjana said.
According to the European Evangelical Alliance, the network's vision is for evangelical churches across Europe to flourish as one. Its stated purposes include acknowledging the national and ethnic diversity within EEA church communities, and promoting a message of unity to nations and their leaders. It will also encourage the alliance to speak on emerging issues with new voices, and it hopes to broaden EEA membership among emerging ethnic churches in Europe, especially among youth and young adults.
Olofinjana said the network plans to pursue these aims primarily through conferences, consultations bringing key leaders together, intergenerational conversations and research.
"We want to do that through intergenerational conversation, because you cannot separate the intercultural and intergenerational," he said. "We want to do some research to find out more of the dynamics of what's going on."
Theological reflection is another focus. "We want to engage theologizing, how we do theology," he said. "How do we teach pastors how to handle a multicultural congregation?"
The network also intends to provide practical resources for church leaders. "A lot of pastors are asking, 'How do I lead? What books do I read? What things do I need to do?'" Olofinjana said.
The network will serve national alliances, diaspora networks and movements, and intercultural networks.
"We want to connect the dots, have an overview and bring them together," he said. "That is our hope and dream."
Start from Scripture
Asked what he would advise pastors who are unsure how to approach migration amid political polarization, Olofinjana urged to start with the Bible rather than in public debates or on social media.
"I would say they need to look at Scripture. They need not to follow the algorithms that are saying, 'Oh, migrants are coming on the boat,'" he said. "Okay, that's a reality we cannot ignore. Yes, they are coming, but then how should we as Christians respond?"
He acknowledged the distinction between legal and illegal migration, but said the Christian response should begin elsewhere.
"What does the Bible say about the stranger? How should we welcome the stranger? Hospitality, what does that mean?" he said. "That should be our starting point, not the politics of migration, but the discipleship and the welcoming and hospitality."
A church that does this well, he said, affirms the dignity of others and takes part in the Great Commission without leaving its own community.
"It means you are recognizing the humanity of other people. It means you are recognizing that other people different from us are created in God's image, and you are putting that into practice," Olofinjana said. "And you are engaging in cross-cultural mission by doing that, because you'd be welcoming people from all over the world into your church."
"We should go and make disciples of all nations," he added. "So you'll be doing that literally by welcoming and providing hospitality for different people."]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Hope for Europe gathering opens in Albania with call to hope in uncertain times]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/hope-for-europe-gathering-opens-in-albania-with-call-to-hope-in-uncertain-times</link>
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                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Connie Main Duarte and Jan Wessels, co-general secretaries of the European Evangelical Alliance, introduce the theme Hope in Uncertain Times at the opening of Hope for Europe 2026 in Golem, Albania, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Christian Daily International ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Connie Main Duarte and Jan Wessels, co-general secretaries of the European Evangelical Alliance, introduce the theme "Hope in Uncertain Times" at the opening of Hope for Europe 2026 in Golem, Albania, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Alesio Sema (left), general secretary of the Albanian Evangelical Alliance (VUSH), and Erion Prendi of VUSH welcome participants to Albania at the opening of Hope for Europe 2026 in Golem, Albania, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Christian Daily International ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Alesio Sema (left), general secretary of the Albanian Evangelical Alliance (VUSH), and Erion Sylari, president of VUSH, welcome participants to Albania at the opening of Hope for Europe 2026 in Golem, Albania, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Dan Randall, one of the moderators, leads participants in prayer for the Albanian Evangelical Alliance (VUSH) leaders and for Albania at the opening of Hope for Europe 2026 in Golem, Albania, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Christian Daily International ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Dan Randall, one of the moderators, leads participants in prayer for the Albanian Evangelical Alliance (VUSH) leaders and for Albania at the opening of Hope for Europe 2026 in Golem, Albania, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Andreas Wenzel, chair of the European Evangelical Alliance board, leads the Lords Supper at the opening of Hope for Europe 2026 in Golem, Albania, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Christian Daily International ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Andreas Wenzel, chair of the European Evangelical Alliance board, leads the Lord's Supper at the opening of Hope for Europe 2026 in Golem, Albania, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 17:30:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Evangelical leaders from across Europe opened a five-day gathering in Albania on Monday evening. Their Albanian hosts described the country's path from enforced state atheism to a growing evangelical church as a sign of hope for the continent.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Evangelical leaders from across Europe opened a five-day gathering in Albania on Monday evening. Their Albanian hosts described the country's path from enforced state atheism to a growing evangelical church as a sign of hope for the continent.
Hope for Europe 2026 is organized by the European Evangelical Alliance and runs through Friday, Oct. 9, under the theme "Hope in Uncertain Times" and bringing together about 250 Christian leaders from across Europe. It is the movement's fifth major gathering since 2002 with the last one held in Sarajevo in 2022.
For the host country's evangelicals, the location carried particular meaning.
"Hope for Europe is not a slogan for us. It is a testimony," said Alesio Sema, general secretary of the Albanian Evangelical Alliance, known by its Albanian initials, VUSH. "If God can bring hope to a land that was once called the first atheist state in the world, he can bring hope to every nation in this room."
'For us here in Albania, it is our home'
Sema began his welcome with Romans 15:19. In that verse, the Apostle Paul writes that he had fully proclaimed the gospel from Jerusalem as far as Illyricum.
"For many it is just a name in a footnote, but for us here in Albania, it is our home," Sema said.
The Roman province covered lands where the ancestors of today's Albanians lived, he said. He added that the Via Egnatia, a Roman road used by soldiers, began at the nearby port of Durrës and ran east toward Macedonia. The gospel traveled on roads like it, Sema said.
"The gospel did not stay in Jerusalem. It crossed the seas, the mountains and borders, and it reached the Balkans," he said.
Sema then turned to Albania's recent past. He described decades in which faith was banned, churches were shut and Bibles were hidden. Under that regime, the state declared itself atheist, and many believed the Christian story in the country was finished.
"But it had not," he said. "The seed planted in Illyricum was never lost."

Thirty-five years after the country opened, Albania has active churches, young leaders and a new generation looking for hope, Sema said. He told participants that holding the gathering in Albania at this moment carries particular weight for the country's evangelicals.
He asked participants to listen and learn from one another during the week. He also urged them to let the Holy Spirit renew their vision for "your own Illyricum, the place that God has sent you." Paul, he said, was never content with work already done and wanted to preach where Christ was not yet known.
From 20 believers to 13,000
Jan Wessels, co-general secretary of the European Evangelical Alliance, built on Sema's remarks. He noted that the same chapter of Romans records Paul's plan to travel to Spain.
"Paul was actually looking at the whole of Europe already, long before Europe was even on the map," Wessels said.
Wessels said he had read that only about 20 evangelical believers remained in Albania in 1991. Citing Sema, he said the country now has about 300 churches and church plants and roughly 13,000 believers. According to Wessels, the Albanian state officially recognized VUSH in 2011. He added that many Albanian Christians who emigrated now serve in churches elsewhere in Europe.
"From fewer than 20 people to 13,000 in one generation," Wessels said. "This is a testimony of the faithfulness of our God."
Identity, hospitality and emigration
Erion Sylari, president of VUSH, described Albania as a nation long engaged in a struggle over its identity. He pointed to about 500 years of Ottoman rule and some 50 years of communism. Missionaries from Europe and the United States later helped Albanians understand that "identity is not in the flag, but it is Jesus Christ," he said.
Sylari also spoke of the country's reputation for hospitality. He cited Albanians who took Jewish people into their families during World War II and gave them food, shelter and clothing.
He said the country still faces serious problems. A growing number of young people are leaving because of a weak economy and a lack of hope, he said.
"We don't just want to say to Albanians, 'Don't leave,'" Sylari said. "We want to give them reason to believe that we can build something together."
Sylari appealed directly to church leaders from other countries about Albanians who have settled abroad. "Please take care of them and please pray for them and invite them to come to your churches, because they belong to us," he said. He also said VUSH recently launched a business forum for evangelicals and invited leaders to discuss partnerships.

A theme drawn from Job and Hebrews
Connie Main Duarte, who shares the general secretary role with Wessels, explained the choice of theme by pointing to the biblical account of Job. In that story, four messengers bring news that Job's family, wealth and security have been lost. Job responds by falling to the ground in worship before his own health is also taken.
"What Job faced in his life, we are watching and living on a European and global scale," Main Duarte said.
She cited the war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, along with droughts, floods, earthquakes and fires. She also listed school violence, youth suicide, mental health struggles across age groups, loneliness among older people and fear of artificial intelligence among the young.
"It's all left us on shaky ground," she said. She added that political, moral and values conflicts had brought back divisions Europe experienced not long ago. "A surging polarization has seeped into all of society, and the church has not been left untouched."
Job saw his life through faith, Main Duarte said, but that faith was still waiting for its completion. Christians today, she said, see the world through the resurrection of Christ and a story of redemption and reconciliation, while still living in a "not yet."
"In other words, we live with hope in uncertain times," she said.
The gathering's theme passage is Hebrews 6:19-20, which describes hope as a firm and secure anchor for the soul. It also describes Jesus as the forerunner who has entered the inner sanctuary on believers' behalf.
Main Duarte said this hope endures because it rests on Christ alone. "Hope is not just a word, and it's not just a concept," she said. "Hope is a person and his name is Jesus."
A movement born after communism
Wessels traced Hope for Europe to the years after the collapse of communism. At that time, evangelistic teams entered Central and Eastern Europe full of zeal but often worked side by side without knowing one another.
A group of leaders that included Jeff Fountain of YWAM Europe began to ask a different question, Wessels said. "Instead of asking what each of us can do, they asked what God is doing in Europe and how we can do it better together," he said.
The movement grew into what Wessels called a network of networks. Leaders of ministries serving children, students and artists, and leaders in prayer and mission, met at annual European round tables, built trust and developed a shared theology of hope. Wessels said that theology answered what he called the "gloom and doom view of Europe" then common among evangelicals.
The first large gathering, held in Budapest, Hungary, in 2002, drew about 1,000 people from 20 networks, according to Wessels. Later gatherings followed in 2011, 2018 and 2022. Wessels described the 2022 host city, Sarajevo, as one that knows "what division costs and what reconciliation means." The European Evangelical Alliance later became the movement's home.
Wessels said each gathering had carried the same conviction: there is hope for Europe. "It isn't a nostalgic hope or a political one," he said. "It is hope rooted in the God who raised Jesus from the dead."
'Our unity is a testimony'
Wessels called the event a family gathering rather than a conference. He said its goals are inspiration, new partnerships across network lines and, above all, the glory of God. "Not the EEA, not our networks, not our names are important," he said.
He tied the gathering's purpose to Jesus' prayer in John 17 that his followers would be one so the world may believe.
"When believers from the east and from the west pray together, when the Baptists and the Reformed break bread together, Jesus himself is put on display before a watching Europe," Wessels said.
Communion at the beginning
The opening session ended with the Lord's Supper. Main Duarte said organizers chose to share it at the start of the week, rather than at the close as is common, to express unity and obedience to Christ's command.
Andreas Wenzel, chair of the European Evangelical Alliance board, led the service. He described Communion as a meal of fellowship, belonging, forgiveness and God's grace.

"So it has always been a meal of hope," Wenzel said. He pointed to Jesus' words that he would not eat it again until the coming of the kingdom.
In his prayer, Wenzel said that remembering what Christ has done also turns believers toward the future. "As we celebrate and are reminded of what you have done for us, we also look forward to what is going to come," he prayed.
Hope for Europe 2026 continues through Friday.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Miia Kallio named Global Director of TWR Women of Hope]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/miia-kallio-named-global-director-of-twr-women-of-hope</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/miia-kallio-named-global-director-of-twr-women-of-hope</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Miia Kallio]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo: Miia Kallio ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Kallio will carry out TWR Women of Hope leadership responsibilities from her home country of Finland. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:20:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Miia Kallio has been named the new global director of TWR Women of Hope, effective Oct. 1, 2026. Kallio succeeds Susie Pek, who led the global ministry for three-and-a-half years and is transitioning to a new leadership role within Trans World Radio (TWR).]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Miia Kallio has been named the new global director of TWR Women of Hope, a ministry of Trans World Radio that serves women around the world through prayer, Christian media and programs addressing their spiritual and practical needs. She began her new role Oct. 1, 2026.
Kallio succeeds Susie Pek, who led the global ministry for three-and-a-half years and is transitioning to a new leadership role within Trans World Radio (TWR).
“As the Lord called me toward this new chapter, it led all of us into a season of prayer for the next leader of this ministry,” Pek said. “I am so thankful he has answered that prayer and brought someone to lead this wonderful and deeply meaningful work: our own Miia Kallio.”
Pek noted that Kallio’s appointment mirrors the biblical transition between Moses and Joshua, recalling Joshua 1:5. “Joshua walked and served closely alongside Moses throughout his ministry, and so has Miia walked alongside me,” Pek said.
Kallio began her journey with TWR Women of Hope in Finland as a national coordinator. She later served as substitute regional coordinator for Europe and CAMENA (Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa) before joining the global team as ministry developer for the region.
Stepping into her new role, Kallio expressed gratitude for the ministry’s foundation and affirmed its commitment to bringing hope and healing in Jesus to women worldwide through prayer and Christian media.
“Like Esther, I sense God’s calling for such a time as this, trusting that he equips and appoints each person for their season of service,” Kallio said. “As a leader, I hope to strengthen the bonds that connect our global teams and shine a light on the true heroines of this ministry.”
TWR President Andy Schick praised Kallio’s collaborative approach to leadership.
“She tends to shine the spotlight on the people around her and on the women we are all here to serve, and that is exactly the posture this ministry needs,” Schick said.
Kallio will continue to carry out her global leadership duties from Finland, where she lives with her husband and four children.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Report highlights role of short-term trips, church apprenticeships in long-term mission]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/report-highlights-role-of-short-term-trips-church-apprenticeships-in-long-term-mission</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/report-highlights-role-of-short-term-trips-church-apprenticeships-in-long-term-mission</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo by Vince Fleming / Unsplash ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:10:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Short-term mission placements and church apprenticeships can help prepare people for long-term gospel ministry, according to a report published by mission agency Crosslinks.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Short-term mission placements and church apprenticeships can help prepare people for long-term gospel ministry, according to a report published by mission agency Crosslinks.
The Pathways to Mission survey, which gathered responses from 87 Crosslinks mission partners, provides data on how individuals moved from an initial interest in cross-cultural ministry to active service overseas.
“I think the best thing someone can do who is zealous for the progress of the gospel is to give them opportunities to go out to a country and serve on a summer camp or for a year,” said Tom Trump, a mission partner serving in Belgium.
The report comes as European and global mission agencies face broader changes in applications for full-time ministry and enrollment at theological colleges.
The survey found that 76% of long-term mission partners had undertaken between one and 10 short-term mission trips before committing to full-time overseas ministry. Eight percent had completed seven to 10 short-term placements.
“If we want to see the next generation of long-term gospel workers raised up, we must give them mini tasters of ministry life overseas,” Crosslinks said, pointing to summer camps, gap years, language years abroad and church mission teams as potential entry points.
The survey also highlighted the need for local churches to provide patient, long-term pastoral support. The journey to the mission field was often lengthy: seven to 10 years was the most common period between initial interest and departure, while more than a quarter of respondents said the process took longer.
Obstacles and concerns cited by candidates included adapting to another culture, the potential impact on children and learning a new language.
Practical preparation was closely connected to local church involvement and theological training. More than half of the surveyed mission partners had completed a church apprenticeship before departing for overseas ministry.
Almost all respondents had completed formal theological training, including at institutions such as Oak Hill Theological College, the Cornhill Training Course, Belfast Bible College and George Whitefield College. Only three mission partners had no formal theological training before going overseas.
Hearing directly from existing mission partners and gaining practical ministry experience in their home churches were also cited as significant factors in preparing candidates.
In its communication to supporters, Crosslinks said it hopes the findings will help local churches and sending agencies identify barriers, manage expectations and better equip future candidates for long-term ministry.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Interest in Jesus among young Swedes continues, evangelical leader says]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/interest-in-jesus-among-young-swedes-continues-evangelical-leader-says</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/interest-in-jesus-among-young-swedes-continues-evangelical-leader-says</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[People sit on the steps at Sergels torg in Stockholm, Sweden.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ iStock / olaser ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ People sit on the steps at Sergels torg in Stockholm, Sweden. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:50:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[In 2025, Ungdomsbarometern (Youth Barometer) published findings from a survey of 17,000 young Swedes conducted the previous year, in which respondents named "Jesus" as an influencer when predicting future trends.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
In 2025, Ungdomsbarometern (Youth Barometer) published findings from a survey of 17,000 young Swedes conducted the previous year, in which respondents named "Jesus" as an influencer when predicting future trends.
"Young people's interest in religion has been bubbling away for a while, and 2025 seems to be the year when more people find a belief in a higher power, according to the young people themselves," the report said.
Since then, academic surveys such as those by the SOM Institute and church publications such as Svensk Pastoraltidskrift have examined whether the trend was a brief moment or a broader cultural shift.
Recent developments suggest the interest has continued.
Olof Edsinger, general secretary of the Swedish Evangelical Alliance, told Christian Daily International that he still sees it among younger Swedes.
"We still see a trend around Jesus and the Christian faith in the younger generation. Confirmation classes continue to attract a lot of young people, and several events for youth gather greater numbers than in previous years," Edsinger said.
He pointed to the Jesus Conference in Örebro, which drew more than 3,000 young adults to its annual one-day event on Oct. 11, 2025. The conference began in 2023 after three young men said they had a vision for the event. This year's conference is scheduled for Oct. 17 at Conventum Arena.
Philip Falk Azevedo, one of the co-organizers, told CBN News that he sees a "longing for Jesus" among people of his generation.
"There is such a longing, such a longing for Jesus. Within the young generation, people are hungry for the Word of God, and they want the truth," he said.
With the motto "More of Jesus, Less of Us," the event is developing into more than a single conference. Organizers are seeking to build a movement that brings the gospel into society and helps young people encounter Jesus personally.
Edsinger also pointed to interest in a new Swedish translation of the New Testament.
"A few days ago a new translation of the New Testament was published in Swedish, and while there is great interest in this from many generations, many youth seem to be buying their first Bible in relation to this," he said. "Already last year — before the new translation — we saw a significant increase in young people buying Bibles."]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[European evangelical body raises concerns over abortion measures in Andorra and Liechtenstein]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/european-evangelical-body-raises-concerns-over-abortion-measures-in-andorra-and-liechtenstein</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/european-evangelical-body-raises-concerns-over-abortion-measures-in-andorra-and-liechtenstein</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[pregnant woman]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ freestocks | Unsplash ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 07:40:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) has expressed concern over recent moves to liberalize abortion laws in Andorra and Liechtenstein, saying the developments reflect what it views as a broader trend toward expanding abortion access across Europe.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) has expressed concern over recent moves to liberalize abortion laws in Andorra and Liechtenstein, saying the developments reflect what it views as a broader trend toward expanding abortion access across Europe.
In September 2026, both predominantly Catholic countries advanced legislative or policy proposals that could expand access to abortion.
In Andorra, Prime Minister Xavier Espot announced plans to introduce legislation before the end of his term to decriminalize abortion obtained by women outside the country.
“We are continuing this dialogue, with our sights set on this coming parliamentary session and, therefore, with the assurance that we can approve the decriminalisation of abortion. And that is what we are working on,” Espot reportedly told the Andorran news outlet La Veu Lliure in reference to discussions with the Vatican.
Andorra is a parliamentary co-principality with two heads of state: French President Emmanuel Macron and the Bishop of Urgell, Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat.
The proposal would not legalize abortion in Andorra but would seek to prevent women from being prosecuted for obtaining abortions abroad. The debate has also raised questions about the possible response of the Bishop of Urgell if the law changes.
Meanwhile, the BBC reported Sept. 3 that Liechtenstein’s parliament narrowly backed a citizen-led initiative to legalize abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy by a 13-12 vote. The initiative, led by a local women’s advocacy group, would also remove a nationwide ban on providing information about abortion and make the procedure eligible for health insurance.
However, Hereditary Prince Alois has indicated that he would use his constitutional powers to veto the measure. Abortion is currently highly restricted in the principality, including exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape and cases involving serious danger to the woman’s life or health.
Tatiana Kopaleishvili, EEA representative to the EU in Brussels, told Christian Daily International that the evangelical body is concerned about what it sees as a broader trend reflected in the two developments.
“Obviously, we do not support the decriminalisation or legalisation of abortion in Andorra or Liechtenstein, or anywhere else,” Kopaleishvili said. “We hold to the biblical view of the sanctity of human life from conception, and we are concerned by both developments.”
Kopaleishvili also expressed concern that the Catholic heritage of both countries was being given insufficient weight in the abortion debate.
“It is a pity to see how fervently these states are pushing this agenda forward, treating their Catholic heritage and the legislative safeguards built into their own constitutions as if they carried no real weight,” she said.
“It would be far better to see the same fervour directed elsewhere: towards eliminating the underlying causes that drive women to consider abortion in the first place, towards supporting women through crisis pregnancies so they don't feel abortion is their only option, and towards ensuring sufficient care for mothers and children after birth.
“If governments pursued those goals with the same determination they are showing in pursuing legalisation by all means, the outcome for women and children alike would be far better.”
Kopaleishvili said the developments in Andorra and Liechtenstein are part of a broader trend in Europe. She pointed to Monaco, another small country with a Catholic heritage, which decriminalized abortion for women in 2009 and subsequently eased further criminal restrictions in 2019.
The Centre for Reproductive Rights has identified 20 European countries that took steps to expand abortion access during the past decade, while noting that some European countries have moved in the opposite direction.
“Once decriminalisation takes hold in one jurisdiction, it tends to normalise the argument elsewhere, making it harder for neighbouring states to hold the line,” Kopaleishvili said.
“Beyond the loss of unborn life itself, this trajectory is troubling because it erodes the role of constitutional safeguards, such as the co-principality in Andorra or the sovereign's sanction in Liechtenstein, that were designed precisely to prevent narrow parliamentary majorities from overriding deeply held moral and religious convictions.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Swiss conference in Basel to address global poverty amid funding and aid cuts]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/swiss-conference-in-basel-to-address-global-poverty-amid-funding-and-aid-cuts</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/swiss-conference-in-basel-to-address-global-poverty-amid-funding-and-aid-cuts</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Facades of huts in a slum in South Asia. Poverty.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ iStock / golero ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Facades of huts in a slum in South Asia. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 07:25:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[More than 800 million people worldwide continue to live in extreme poverty despite global development targets, while the challenges are compounded by rising conflicts, disasters and cuts in international aid, including in Switzerland.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
More than 800 million people worldwide continue to live in extreme poverty despite global development targets, while the challenges are compounded by rising conflicts, disasters and cuts in international aid, including in Switzerland.
To address these challenges, the 17th annual StopArmut Conference will be held Oct. 31, 2026, at the Zwinglihaus in Basel, bringing together representatives from academia, politics, churches and civil society to discuss solutions and Christian social responsibility.
Organized by StopArmut, a campaign sponsored by Interaction, the umbrella association of Swiss Christian development organizations, the 2026 conference has the theme “Poor World – What Next? How global poverty shapes us and how we can stand against it together.”
The event comes at a critical juncture for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by 193 countries in 2015. Goal 1 set an ambitious target to end extreme poverty everywhere by 2030, yet organizers note that 826 million people — roughly one in 10 globally — still live on less than $3 a day.
Christoph Hochuli, a Grand Council member for the Evangelical People's Party in Basel-Stadt and a featured conference speaker, highlighted what he sees as the media's limited coverage of global poverty compared with acute natural disasters.
“Disasters like wildfires, earthquakes and floods are widely reported in the media, as are the death tolls, which is good,” Hochuli said. “But global poverty — the poor living conditions that also lead to many deaths — is rarely reported on.”
The daylong gathering will include practical lectures, networking opportunities and a trade fair featuring global anti-poverty organizations. The program also includes a performance by the Surprise Street Choir. More information and registration details are available on the organization's website at stoparmut.ch/konferenz.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[First section of 169ft Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer is built]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/first-section-of-169ft-eternal-wall-of-answered-prayer-is-built</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/first-section-of-169ft-eternal-wall-of-answered-prayer-is-built</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo: Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ The team for the prayer project standing in front of the first segment at a factory in Portugal ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer project notches 100,000 answered prayers and counting!]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ A design image of the landmark. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 07:15:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The first section of the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer in England has been completed. Christian Daily International previously reported on the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, a project conceived by marketing consultant Richard Gamble after a time of prayerful reflection two decades ago.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The first of 188 concrete sections of the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer has been completed at a factory in Portugal, a milestone for the monument scheduled to open near Birmingham, England, in 2028.
The Eternal Wall is designed as a giant white infinity ribbon, known as a Möbius strip, made up of 1 million bricks. It has neither a beginning nor an end and will rise 51.5 meters (169 feet) into the sky, with a diameter of 80 meters (262 feet).
Technology built into the design will allow visitors to point a cellphone at any brick and use a dedicated app to access an audio or video story about someone whose prayer was answered.
More than 134,000 answered prayers have been submitted so far. The target for opening day is 250,000.

Richard Gamble, the marketing consultant who conceived the project, traveled to Portugal with Eternal Wall staff, volunteers and donors to witness the milestone.
"I never thought a piece of concrete would make me so emotional," Gamble said.
"For more than two decades Eternal Wall has existed as a picture in my mind, then on drawings and computer screens. To finally stand in front of it and actually touch it was overwhelming.
"People have laughed at the idea and thought I was crazy. But now it physically exists. It's real. It's happening."
The sections will be transported to the Midlands in stages and assembled at the site in Coleshill, on the outskirts of Birmingham, where construction began in November 2025.
The height of 11 double-decker buses, the Eternal Wall is expected to be seen by about 800,000 people each week.
Christian Daily International previously reported that Gamble conceived the project after a time of prayerful reflection two decades ago. He gradually assembled a project team and secured planning permission for the monument on land between the M6 and M42 motorways at Coleshill.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Franklin Graham to preach God’s love in Manchester, England]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/franklin-graham-to-preach-gods-love-in-manchester-england</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/franklin-graham-to-preach-gods-love-in-manchester-england</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Franklin Graham in UK]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo by BGEA ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ 17,000 people packed into the venue to hear a message of hope from the Bible in London, 21 June 2025 ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:44:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Hundreds of evangelical churches across northwest England are preparing to bring thousands of people to Manchester’s Co-op Live arena next month, where American evangelist Rev. Franklin Graham will headline the latest stop of his “God Loves You Tour.”]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Hundreds of evangelical churches across northwest England are preparing to bring thousands of people to Manchester’s Co-op Live arena next month, where American evangelist Rev. Franklin Graham will headline the latest stop of his “God Loves You Tour.”
The Oct. 3 event marks the ninth stop of Graham’s U.K. tour since 2022, following previous stops in cities including London, Glasgow, Liverpool and Birmingham. Organizers say nearly 600 local churches are participating, with more than 8,000 people already booked on hundreds of free coaches traveling from across the region and as far as Swansea, Wales.
Church leaders in the area say the event comes at a crucial moment as local congregations observe a surge of young people seeking spiritual guidance.
“We’re seeing what many other churches across Manchester are also seeing — a growing number of young people searching for meaning, hope and belonging,” said Anthony Delaney, senior pastor of Ivy Church Manchester. “They’ve found that the promises of media, materialism and ‘me-first’ culture leave their deepest questions unanswered.”
Debra Green, founding director of the Manchester-based charity Redeeming Our Communities, echoed the sentiment, noting that the region’s greatest need is a sense of hope and connection.
“At a moment when people are asking big questions about purpose, belonging, identity and hope, it creates an opportunity to say something simple: You are loved, you are not forgotten, and there is hope in Jesus Christ,” Green said.
For Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the visit carries personal historical significance. His father, the late Rev. Billy Graham, preached in Manchester 65 years ago, in 1961.
“Manchester has changed a lot since my father was here ... but God’s Word doesn’t change,” Graham said in a statement. “In this day and age of AI and global misinformation, many are wondering what truth is and what is real. I want people to know that there is truth and it is found in God’s Son, Jesus Christ.”
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has trained thousands of local Christian volunteers to assist attendees who respond to the gospel message during the event. The outreach follows high-capacity crowds at previous tour stops, including an event at ExCeL London last summer that reached venue capacity, leading crowds outside to join in spontaneous worship.
The Oct. 3 gathering at Co-op Live is free, does not require tickets and is open to the public. The event will also feature live music from three-time Grammy Award-winning Christian artist Michael W. Smith.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Zurich Reformed Church members narrowly approve binding climate targets for church buildings]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/zurich-reformed-church-members-narrowly-approve-binding-climate-targets-for-church-buildings</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/zurich-reformed-church-members-narrowly-approve-binding-climate-targets-for-church-buildings</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[The twin towers of the Grossmünster, where Huldrych Zwingli began preaching in 1519 and set the Swiss Reformation in motion, rise above the Limmat River in Zurichs old town.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ iStock / mr-fox ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ The twin towers of the Grossmünster, where Huldrych Zwingli began preaching in 1519 and set the Swiss Reformation in motion, rise above the Limmat River in Zurich's old town. A gilded rooster crowns the spire at right, the traditional marker of Reformed churches in Switzerland and the emblem behind the name of the "Grüner Güggel," or Green Rooster, environmental certification. Members of the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Zurich voted 52.7% in favor Sept. 27 of writing climate targets into church law, including a legal basis for the scheme in the parishes. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:01:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Members of the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Zurich have voted to write climate targets into the church's constitution, including net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from church buildings by 2035.]]></description>
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Members of the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Zurich have voted to write climate targets into the church's constitution, including net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from church buildings by 2035. The counterproposal to the church's Creation Initiative passed Sunday with 52.7% of the vote, the Swiss Reformed news portal ref.ch reported.
The result ends a dispute that divided the church's Synod for months. The disagreement was less about whether the church should care for the environment than about who decides how: the cantonal church bodies, or the parishes that own the buildings and pay for their upkeep. Opponents warned that climate work could take precedence over preaching and pastoral care, while supporters said parishes would keep room to choose their own measures.
Across the canton the margin was slim. Support was far stronger in the district of Zurich, which covers the city itself, where more than 70% of voters said yes, according to ref.ch.
What the vote changes
The amendments to the Church Ordinance set the 2035 net-zero goal for church buildings and create a legal basis for environmental management in the parishes. That framework includes certification under the "Grüner Güggel," or Green Rooster, environmental label. Ecological questions are also to receive more weight in theology, education and spiritual life.
The Green Rooster is administered by oeku – Kirchen für die Umwelt, a Bern-based church environmental association, and is modeled on the European Union's EMAS environmental management standard. Its name comes from the rooster weather vane found on many Reformed steeples in Switzerland. The symbol recalls the Gospel account of Peter's denial of Christ and has traditionally set Protestant churches in the country apart from Catholic ones.
In a statement, the church's executive Church Council welcomed the outcome. It said responsibility for the preservation of creation was now anchored as a binding obligation in the Church Ordinance, giving the church a foundation for environmental and climate work that goes further than what the state requires.
Reactions from both campaigns
Tobias Adam, president of the initiative committee, told ref.ch that the unusually high turnout showed climate protection mattered to church members. "In view of the escalating climate crisis around the world, today's vote gives hope," he said.
Adam rejected the idea of a split between city and countryside, saying the rural vote was evenly balanced. He also said approval would not impose obligations the parishes could not shape themselves. "The counterproposal is committed to ensuring that the parishes retain their autonomy and can take individual measures," he said.
The opposing committee said it was disappointed. In a statement, it said parishes could in future be forced to put climate protection ahead of proclamation, diaconal ministry and other core church tasks. The committee said it doubted parishes "will allow themselves to be patronized in this way."
Objections raised before the vote
The No campaign was led by a group of Synod members who wanted Green Rooster certification to remain voluntary, as previously reported by Christian Daily International ahead of the ballot. They argued that the label places heavy demands on parish boards and staff, requires recertification every four years and carries costs that fall on local congregations.
By that committee's count, 27 parishes, about a quarter of the canton's total, had been certified despite several years of encouragement from the Church Council. The opponents based much of their case on subsidiarity, the Swiss principle that decisions should be made as close to the local level as possible. They also pointed to a September 2025 cantonal ballot in which Zurich voters rejected a revision of the energy law that would have set a net-zero date in cantonal legislation.
Both campaigns presented their positions as matters of Christian responsibility. Supporters described the earth as God's creation, which people share responsibility for preserving. Opponents framed care for the environment around Christ as the sustainer of creation and argued it is best carried out by vital local congregations.
From theme week to ballot
The Creation Initiative grew out of a church theme week on climate justice in 2022. Church climate activists submitted it the following year with about 1,600 signatures, making it the first successful popular initiative in the history of the Zurich cantonal church, ref.ch reported.
The Church Council answered with a counterproposal that took up the initiative's main demands. Debate in the Synod was contentious. Some members said the church bore responsibility for climate protection, while others warned against centralization and overburdening parishes, and critics used labels such as "environmental religion" and "Güggel compulsion."
The Synod adopted the counterproposal by 54 votes to 45, and the initiators withdrew their original text in its favor. A referendum was then called against the counterproposal, sending the question to the church's members, all of whom may vote from age 16.
The Zurich church is one of Switzerland's Landeskirchen, churches recognized under cantonal public law that govern their own affairs. It belongs to the Evangelical Reformed Church in Switzerland, a federation of 24 cantonal Reformed churches and a member of the World Council of Churches.
Swiss Reformed cantonal churches are generally regarded as theologically liberal, but the leaning varies from parish to parish. Some local Reformed parishes identify as evangelical and are members of the Swiss Evangelical Alliance alongside free churches and independent evangelical congregations.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Pope Leo warns against 'false compassion' as assisted dying laws spread]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/pope-leo-warns-against-false-compassion-as-assisted-dying-laws-spread</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/pope-leo-warns-against-false-compassion-as-assisted-dying-laws-spread</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims at a care center for sick and disabled pilgrims in Lourdes, France, on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims at a care center for sick and disabled pilgrims in Lourdes, France, on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. During the visit, the pope urged health care workers to reject assisted death offered "under the guise of false compassion" and told the sick, "You are not a burden." ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:37:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Pope Leo XIV told sick pilgrims and health care workers in Lourdes, France, on Sunday (Sept. 27) that they "must reject the temptation to cause death under the guise of false compassion," Vatican News reported.]]></description>
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Pope Leo XIV told sick pilgrims and health care workers in Lourdes, France, on Sunday (Sept. 27) that they "must reject the temptation to cause death under the guise of false compassion." Vatican News reported.
The remarks, delivered at a care center for sick and disabled pilgrims, came less than two months after France's Constitutional Council cleared the way for a national law permitting assisted dying. Lawmakers in other European countries, Canada and parts of Latin America are debating or widening similar measures. In the address as reported by Vatican News, the pope did not name a specific country or bill.
Speaking directly to the sick, Leo acknowledged that illness can leave people uncertain and without hope. "But no human law should ever make you lose the certainty of your dignity," he said, adding that "what is legal is not necessarily moral."
He rooted the appeal in human dignity, which he said every person possesses simply by existing. "Our dignity cannot be measured or debated," he said.
The pope then addressed medical staff. He called on "the entire healthcare community to remember the profound meaning of your vocation, which is to care for a suffering person, not eliminate that person."
Leo urged doctors and nurses to be "passionate defenders of life" and said no one has the right to decide whether an embryo or an elderly person should live. He encouraged them to support genuine palliative care and research.
"You are not a burden," he told the sick. "You are the beating heart of our humanity."
Evangelical opposition
French evangelicals have raised a similar concern about pressure on vulnerable patients. After the National Assembly passed the assisted dying bill 291-241 on July 15, the National Council of Evangelicals of France (CNEF) told Christian Daily International it feared the law would push people who see themselves as a burden on relatives or society toward ending their lives.
CNEF called instead for fair and rapid expansion of palliative care, which it said is still out of reach in many parts of the country. On Aug. 14, the Constitutional Council upheld the law while allowing faith-based institutions and pharmacists to opt out of participating.
Across the English Channel, lawmakers took a different course. Members of the U.K. Parliament voted 286-270 on Sept. 11 to reject a bill that would have allowed mentally competent, terminally ill adults in England and Wales with six months or less to live to end their lives. It was the second such attempt; an identical earlier bill passed the House of Commons but stalled in the House of Lords.
The Evangelical Alliance of the U.K., which campaigned against the legislation, welcomed the result. "Parliament has voted to reject dangerous and unworkable plans that would have put the most vulnerable at risk," said Danny Webster, the alliance's director of advocacy. He called on the government to focus on strengthening palliative care.
In Canada, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada has long opposed the country's Medical Assistance in Dying program, saying it "fundamentally devalues human life and normalizes suicide." Eligibility is scheduled to extend on March 17, 2027, to people whose only condition is mental illness unless Parliament acts to delay or repeal the change.
Italian evangelicals have taken the same position as national polling shows growing public support for euthanasia. "Preserving life and preventing death must be the moral threshold," Lucia Stelluti, vice president of the Italian Evangelical Alliance, told Christian Daily International in May.
The Lourdes stop was part of a four-day papal visit to France. Before leaving the care center, Leo met privately with residents too ill to join the larger gathering, Vatican News reported. "Life is beautiful and precious," he told them. "Do not be discouraged."]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[[Book review] She Needs: Women Flourishing in the Church]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/book-review-she-needs-women-flourishing-in-the-church</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/book-review-she-needs-women-flourishing-in-the-church</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Gordon Showell-Rogers]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[She Needs: women flourishing in the church]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ She Needs: women flourishing in the church ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:15:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Why does an enthusiastic, passionate, gifted teenage Christian leader lose confidence and stop being able to lead?  In what ways have churches drifted a long way from the teaching and practice of Jesus and Scripture, whilst justifying this drift theologically? The research, conversation, reading and personal experience that lie behind this book provide some answers.]]></description>
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Why does an enthusiastic, passionate, gifted teenage Christian leader lose confidence and stop being able to lead? In what ways have churches drifted a long way from the teaching and practice of Jesus and Scripture, whilst justifying this drift theologically? What has that done to women in our churches?
The research, conversation, reading and personal experience that lie behind this book provide some answers – and, if we have ears to hear, helpful suggestions about ways of addressing the needs and opportunities.
Dawson puts it like this: "In this book, I want to set about exposing what it feels like for many women in the Church. I want to ask questions about where our theology and our practice are misaligned."
Mark Meynell’s foreword: "I’m sad that this book had to be written. But I am equally sure that it did. For too long our blind spots have perpetuated an unhealthy status quo. But nobody likes having their blind spots exposed. So I fear we will make excuses. Perhaps some will blame those raising awkward but legitimate questions ……that would be incredibly sad. If only we just stopped to listen…"
Dawson comes from a branch of evangelical Christianity that has (ironically, given that its self-designation is "conservative") perpetuated harmful pastoral practice, by reading Scripture through one particular theological prism.
My only concern is that this excellent book will not be widely read in the circles that need it most. Please God that it will be!
Dawson speaks to casual (inadvertent?) sexism, compartmentalisation, inconsistency, blindness, pastoral hurt, knocked confidence, ‘leaky’ churches (read the book!), career paths, shifting work patterns, unheard voices and massively unfulfilled potential.
As Dawson writes: "I mattered to Jesus, but did I matter to his bride?"
We can’t turn the clock back. But we can change. This book can help us to do so. The format encourages conversation: I hope that men and women will have the courage to re-examine Scripture in small groups, so that everyone in our churches might flourish.
Informed by research in business, sports and academia, Dawson dives into the Bible – and offers practical advice to help improve church life.  
Even in the one section that felt to this reviewer as if it included some gender stereotyping, Dawson’s practical pastoral theology (to failing) is wonderfully helpful, not least because it can be applied to men as well. Actually, her primary biblical illustration at this point is (the Apostle) Peter’s abject failures "Jesus chooses and uses failures such as you and me, but let’s do all we can to help women in their failure to flourish in our church."
Dawson finishes with suggestions for further reading which are going to keep me busy for a while.
I strongly commend this short (in one sense) easy read – especially to male Christian leaders, but also to women struggling with their roles in Churches. Though it may be a painful read for some, I suspect that it will be genuinely liberating for many.
She Needs: Women Flourishing in the Church by Nay Dawson, Inter-Varsity Press, SPCK Group, Studio 101, The Record Hall, 16–16A Baldwin’s Gardens, London EC1N 7RJ, England, 2024. ISBN: 978-1-78974-452-1. eBook ISBN: 978-1-78974-453-8.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Eddie Lyle dies at 73; persecuted church loses 'elder statesman']]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/eddie-lyle-dies-at-73-persecuted-church-loses-elder-statesman</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/eddie-lyle-dies-at-73-persecuted-church-loses-elder-statesman</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Eddie Lyle]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Eddie Lyle ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 09:14:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Tributes have been paid to Eddie Lyle, former chief executive and president of Open Doors UK & Ireland and later a consultant for Open Doors International, who has died at 73 following complications from heart surgery.]]></description>
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Tributes have been paid to Eddie Lyle, former chief executive and president of Open Doors UK & Ireland and later a consultant for Open Doors International, who has died at 73 following complications from heart surgery.
An official announcement by Open Doors UK & Ireland expressed “deep sadness” after Lyle’s death in Oxford, England, on Sept. 19.
Born in Northern Ireland, Lyle joined the charity for persecuted Christians in a leadership role in 2005, with the support of his wife, Christine, after serving with Youth for Christ and Release International.
Tiffany Barrans, chief executive officer of Open Doors UK & Ireland, said Lyle was “so much more than a Chief Executive or President.”
“To many of us, he was a friend and mentor, remembered for his conviction, kindness, wisdom, vision and wonderful sense of humor,” said Barrans.
“So much of who we are today as a ministry, both in the UK and Ireland and around the world, was shaped by Eddie. He will be greatly missed and long remembered.”
Lyle visited persecuted Christians in various countries for 25 years and used his skills in Bible teaching to encourage them. He galvanized churches in the UK and Ireland to remember those persecuted for their faith.
He spoke often of Christians who share the faith but not freedoms, and he made it his life’s work to close the distance between the two, said the Open Doors tribute.
“Every now and then in life someone crosses your path who in just a few minutes can make a lifelong impact. Eddie Lyle was one of those people.
“My first encounter with Eddie was when he led devotions at my first trustee meeting. His love for our persecuted brothers and sisters, his passion for ODI, but most importantly his deep devotion to our Lord and Saviour was evident from the first moment,” said Andre Holtshausen, chair of the board of Open Doors UK & Ireland.
“Many people know Eddie far better than I do and from their stories and the few encounters I had with Eddie, his legacy will last for a very long time. One day he gave all of the trustees a little wooden cross and encouraged us to carry that with us wherever we go as a reminder of what Christ did for us and as a prompt to pray for those that suffer for their faith.
“That was Eddie — big picture heart, small detail actions. We will miss his inspirational visionary leadership, but through building strong connections, he has left a lot of himself amongst us. Now he is free of earthly limitations and living in eternal freedom, cheering us on to run the good race like he did.”
Lyle recently co-authored a book about his experiences, “Witness: Sharing the Faith of the Persecuted Church.” He also founded Medic Assist International, which builds health care capacity in persecuted communities. In later years, he supported Christian missions in northeast Ukraine and co-founded Springbrook Partnership, a leadership coaching consultancy.
Lyle is survived by his wife, Christine, and their son, Adam.
“I have lost a very dear ‘older’ brother in Christ,” said Bishop Emeritus Rennis Ponniah, ninth bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Singapore and former president of the National Council of Churches of Singapore.
“The persecuted church has lost an elder statesman. He combined sound theology with courageous faith and compassionate companionship with the suffering. Empowered by the Spirit, Eddie came alongside so many, including myself, in such a humble, kind, loving and empowering way. He helped me enter more fully into the task of shepherding the global flock of Christ. Our thoughts and prayers are with Christine and Adam, and all those nearest to Eddie. He is home with the God he served with all his heart and his indefatigable energy.”
Dan Ole Shani, CEO of Open Doors International, recalled meeting Lyle at a spiritual retreat focused on Psalm 23 and called Lyle’s life “a gift to Open Doors” with a lasting impact on “countless people he coached, taught and advised.”
“Eddie will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered,” said His Grace Mar Shimun Daniel, bishop of Adiabene, The Ancient Church of The East.
Ho Peng-Kee, elder of Mt. Carmel Bible-Presbyterian Church and former member of Parliament and senior minister of state in the Singapore government, said Lyle flew often to Singapore despite his advancing years to encourage others.
“Eddie Lyle, man of God, who loved God’s people wherever they are found worldwide,” said Peng-Kee. “Meeting him each time motivated me to pray and care for God’s people worldwide too. We will miss his wry humor and indomitable spirit.”
New Wine Movement also issued a tribute, recalling Lyle’s “deep warmth” and passion for supporting the persecuted church.
“Perhaps unknown to many was that Eddie also invested in leaders across this country, encouraging them in their ministry, whether it was leading a church or an organization. There are so many that have benefitted from his wisdom, grace and care. We pray for Christine and all of Eddie’s family in this difficult moment.”
Youth for Christ called Lyle, a former leader in the mission, a “much-loved friend” and said his “passion for Jesus, young people and the persecuted Church shaped and encouraged many people over the years.”
“His life was marked by a deep commitment to sharing the good news of Jesus and standing alongside Christians facing persecution around the world. We give thanks to God for Eddie’s life, his faithful service and the many lives he touched. Our prayers are with his family and all those who knew and loved him at this time.”
In a statement, Christian Solidarity Worldwide said Lyle left a “significant legacy and touched many lives, not only through his work with Youth for Christ, Release International, Open Doors and Medic International, but also as a father, husband, friend and colleague.”]]></content:encoded>
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