News feed for: ECM Australia

Churches Unite in Leiria

Wed, 27 May 2026 12:51:00 +0200

More than 200 believers from 12 churches and 9 mission organisations joined together in Portugal’s Leiria region for two days of evangelism, prayer, and outreach — with around 700 people approached and 40 decisions for Christ reported.

More than 200 Christians from across Portugal and beyond gathered in the Leiria region on 1–2 May for the evangelistic mobilisation “Sharing Jesus – Blessing the City”, a united outreach focused on prayer, evangelism, and serving local communities.

The initiative brought together 12 evangelical churches and nine mission organisations, including ECM Portugal, YWAM Switzerland, OM, EveryHome, and the Portuguese Evangelical Alliance.

Participants gathered each morning for evangelism training, prayer, and fellowship before heading into the streets of Marinha Grande, Leiria, and Fátima to share the gospel through conversations, prayer, music, creative activities, and personal testimonies.

Organisers estimate that around 700 people were approached during the outreach, with 40 people making decisions to follow Christ. Many others requested prayer or began ongoing conversations with local churches and believers.

One memorable moment came when a young girl named Sara shared leaflets and flowers she had picked herself while telling people, “You were made for love.” Another powerful testimony took place during an evening prayer gathering in Leiria, where three teenagers spoke with a young woman for more than 30 minutes before she gave her life to Jesus.

The mobilisation also included prayer walks through the cities, with teams praying for local leaders, churches, families, and spiritual renewal across the region.

Organisers described the event as “a practical expression of the unity of the Body of Christ” and celebrated the collaboration between churches, mission agencies, and international teams serving together with a shared purpose — making Jesus known.

“We left with hearts full of gratitude,” the organisers said, “knowing that God was present in every detail and that there is still much fruit to be harvested.”

A Life Saved

Wed, 20 May 2026 12:38:00 +0200

What began as a soup kitchen relationship became something far more urgent. When Mr. Dumitru’s life was at risk, ECMI workers refused to give up — advocating, praying, and walking with him until the moment that changed everything.

When Jeroen and Marieke responded to God’s call to go as ECMI missionaries to Romania, they did not imagine the impact their obedience would have. The ministries they started, the church they planted, the many they would help. For one man, Mr. Dumitru, it meant saving his life.

Mr. Dumitru was one of the regulars who first started attending their soup kitchen. Some time later, they were able to build for him a small house in the woods, where he could live. Things were going well. However, last year, his health started to deteriorate rapidly, becoming increasingly weak and even losing consciousness.

The hospital then refused to treat him, but the ECMI workers determined not to give up. They contacted other doctors, got him referrals, and advocated for him until, after much work and prayer, he was admitted. The next day, he underwent surgery for prostate cancer and received six bags of blood transfusions in the days that followed. The surgery saved his life.

After leaving the hospital, Dumitru stayed with an elderly woman to help him recover. When Jeroen and Marieke visited, what followed was unexpected: a moment of gratitude, conversation, and prayer together.

Transformation is sometimes dramatic, sometimes quiet—but it always requires faithful workers willing to be present and serve others sacrificially.

“Transformation requires faithful workers willing to serve sacrificially.”

The Sun Shines for Irene

Wed, 13 May 2026 12:34:00 +0200

After years of searching — through religion, spirituality, and personal pain — Irene reached a point where she didn’t want to go on. But a simple online search connected her with an ECMI couple whose open table became the place where everything began to change.

Irene grew up in Catholic Seville, Spain, and was raised as such. However, like many in Europe, she became disillusioned with religion. New Age spirituality attracted her, and seemed a response to her search, but it did not fill the emptiness she felt.

“In my worst moments, I didn't even want to live anymore. I was coming out of a painful divorce and had sunk into depression,” shares Irene. In her anguish, she began looking for Jesus. An online search connected her with an ECMI couple in Seville.

“We have a heart for discipleship, which is a high priority at ECMI" say ECMI workers Henk and Hanneke. With a gift for hospitality, their doors were open for all, and through long, regular conversations around their table, Irene came to faith in Christ. She was baptised in the ECMers’ garden pool, surrounded by her family and friends — a joyful celebration!

At first, her family was very suspicious of her decision. Now they see in her a deep peace she had never known before.

“The change had to happen by placing my life in the hands of Jesus”, says Irene.“The sun has finally begun to shine in my life again.”

Her journey continues as she meets biweekly with Hanneke, discovering more of what it means to follow Jesus.

“The sun has finally begun to shine in my life again.”

A Place for Everyone — Rethinking Ministry Together

Wed, 06 May 2026 12:05:00 +0200

Across Europe, many live unseen — shaped by disability, anxiety, or neurodivergence. As followers of Jesus, we are learning to notice, to listen, and to create spaces where everyone belongs.

In every community, there are people who feel on the outside.

Some live with disabilities. Others are neurodivergent. Many face anxiety, addiction, depression, dementia, or other mental health challenges. They are often present around us, yet missing from our churches — not because they don’t want to belong, but because church has not always known how to include them.

This is not only a social need. It is a gospel question.

Jesus consistently moved towards those who were overlooked, excluded, or misunderstood. He made space, restored dignity, and welcomed people into relationship. As His followers, we are called to do the same — not simply out of compassion, but because this reflects the heart of God.

We love because He first loved us. And His love is for all.

Seeing the Need

Three years ago, ECMI launched Disability Ministries to help bring visibility to this area and equip missionaries. A working group began developing resources and encouraging learning across the mission.

One key initiative is Church For All — a monthly Zoom gathering exploring topics like disability, neurodiversity, and mental health. These sessions create space to learn, ask questions, and grow together as we seek to reflect God’s heart more faithfully.

From Vision to Action

This growing awareness is leading to action.

In Italy, an ECMI couple, inspired by this initiative, has started a ministry among the neurodivergent community. They are learning as they go — listening, adapting, and building relationships. It is not a finished model, but it is already opening doors for connection and belonging.

Moving Forward

This is not a specialised calling for a few. It is part of following Jesus.

To notice who may be missing.
To remove barriers where we can.
To become communities that reflect the welcome we ourselves have received.

We are still learning. But we are taking steps — trusting that God is already at work, and inviting us to join Him.

Join God’s Story in Europe

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 11:22:35 +0100

At ECM, our work is more than programmes and projects—it’s about people, and ultimately, it’s about God, at work in and through us. Every time a believer is equipped, a community is connected, or a disciple is multiplied, it is His Spirit moving, using us as instruments for His glory.

Often, the impact isn’t dramatic. It’s in the quiet prayer shared with a neighbour, the patience extended in a difficult conversation, the encouragement sent to a colleague halfway across the continent. These everyday acts of faithfulness reflect His love and advance His mission.

And it’s not just those on the frontlines who participate. Every prayer you lift, every gift you give, every time you engage with this work strengthens what God is doing. Your support equips those He calls, connects communities, and multiplies hope—always for His glory, often in ways you may never see but can trust Him to accomplish.

As we step into a new season, let’s remember that multiplying disciples isn’t about doing everything at once—it’s about faithfully participating in what God is already doing, wherever we are. Every connection matters. Every act of equipping plants seeds. Every moment of courage multiplies hope.

Together, we rejoice in being part of His greater story, seeing His Kingdom grow, one faithful act at a time.

Connecting Across Europe

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 06:27:57 +0200

We asked some of our workers to share how they are connecting with those around them in Jesus name.

Chloe Wolfson, Spain

Working Across Cultures

Many Romanians live in Roquetas de Mar, Almería, Spain. They have migrated for work and have established their families and lives in the town, along with Romanian churches. All of these churches are Romanian-speaking, and while one or two offer facilities for translation into Spanish—the local language—none have specifically Spanish-speaking ministries.

Our town is also home to a large number of migrants from North and West Africa. Many come from Muslim countries and have had limited contact with Christianity or opportunities to hear the Gospel. As a team, we are excited to take advantage of God bringing these families to Spain, where we have the freedom to share about Jesus. A couple of years ago, we wanted to start a kids’ club for the many children we had met during our summer activities. This also served as a fun opportunity to invite local churches to reach out to those in their neighborhoods. One of the Romanian churches, alongside a particularly marginalised neighbour, accepted the invitation and formed a team from their church. Some Romanian young people, born in Spain, had never prayed in Spanish in public before.

Over the next two years, we had the opportunity to collaborate with Romanian Christians and use their church space to run a weekly kids’ club for children from countries including Senegal, Morocco, and Guinea Bissau. From Genesis to Jesus, we were able to share God’s unfolding plan for salvation. Working together, we accomplished something we could not have done alone.

James & Carolynn Webb, Spain

Networking along the Camino

In Spain, we are part of the Soy el Camino network, a group of Christians involved in various ministries along the Camino de Santiago. Some members operate Christian hostels like ours, while others run food trucks offering coffee and conversation or provide free resting spots for pilgrims. Some individuals walk the Camino with the intention of sharing the gospel with others. “Soy el Camino,” which means “I am the way,” is derived from Jesus’ words in John 14:6, and our collective goal is to point pilgrims toward Jesus, the true and living Way.

Last year, we witnessed firsthand how this network has borne fruit through a French pilgrim named Sebastian. When he arrived at our guesthouse in Zalla, he looked every bit like a bohemian traveler, complete with dreadlocks, a bandanna, face tattoos, and an accompanying dog. It was easy to assume he was an alternative seeker, perhaps involved in new age spirituality.

However, as we began to talk, we learned that he was actually a Christian who had come to follow Jesus while walking the French Camino with his brother the previous year. At that time, he was engaged in new age practices and ended up staying at Fuente de Peregrino, a Christian hostel in Galicia that is part of the Soy el Camino network. It was there that he experienced a personal encounter with Jesus and committed his life to Him. The Christians at the hostel prayed for his brother, who was struggling with poor mental health, and he was almost immediately liberated from disturbing internal voices.

Sebastian was excited to learn that we were also a Christian hostel and that we were familiar with the team at Fuente de Peregrino. Later, he kindly brought us a tray of fruit from the market to share. For us, this was a reminder that God can touch anyone’s heart and transform lives.

For pilgrims interested in learning more about Jesus, we recommend other Christian hostels along the Camino where they can stay. We also direct them to an evangelistic devotional app called “Who is St. James,” developed by a friend who is an Australian journalist. This app contains Bible readings, reflections, and questions about Jesus that pilgrims can read each day on their phones.

Being part of the Soy el Camino network allows us to share resources, connect with and follow up on pilgrims, and mutually encourage each other in our ministries as we work together to share the love of Jesus with those walking the Camino.

soyelcamino.com

This article appears in ECM News SPRING 2025

Equipping Across Europe

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 07:10:56 +0200

We asked some of our field workers to share how they are equipping those around them.

Equipping God’s People: A Journey We’re Honoured to Share

Andrew & Kate Bulgaria

As our ministry focus with ECM has evolved over the last ten years, we have generally found ourselves walking alongside others. God has made clear to us that our calling is not just to do mission, but to equip others for it. Over the years, that word has come to life in countless ways—and today, it shapes every part of what we do.

For a time, we worked in partnership with Navigators, and they introduced us to the term ‘Mobile Alongsider’, which captures well the essence of the roles we have within ECM. Through both Zoom and face to face visits, we can provide support, encouragement and counsel.

The pivotal role in ECM’s field ministry structure is the Cluster Leader. These leaders walk alongside field workers in their cluster, providing ministry guidance, accountability, helping them connect into networks, empowering & developing them, and ensuring there is good member care. Essentially, as mobile alongsiders themselves, they are equipping the workers in their cluster.

In her Field Ministries Director role, one of Kate’s responsibilities is to ensure that this equipping is also happening for the Cluster Leaders, and she works with a small team (including Andrew) to facilitate this. Our travel often involves visits to Cluster Leaders, such as our trip to Portugal, Spain and Ireland back in January, where we did a number of Personal Development Conversations with leaders there. This face to face time is so valuable.

At its core, equipping is about seeing what God is doing in a person’s life and joining him there—calling out gifts, nurturing growth, and cheering people on as they step into God’s bigger story. We count it a privilege to be part of that process every single day.

Equipping University Students with God’s Word

Samuel & Emily Portugal

The University Bible Group (GBU) with which we work in Portugal, catches people in a very formative stage of their lives. For those who are not followers of Jesus, it is a time where they are often open to exploring faith as an adult, and for those who are followers of Jesus, it is a time where they are able to be matured in their Christian faith and witness as they receive Bible teaching and training through GBU activities.

One of these key GBU activities is weekly Bible study groups in faculty groups. In Coimbra, the city in which we work, several leaders of the GBU Bible studies expressed a lack of confidence in how to lead it, and how to read the Bible with others. In response to this, last year, we ran a Bible study leaders training course over 5 x 2 hour sessions during the semester aimed at equipping students with tools to be able to read the Bible well, and be able to lead others in it.

Some key focuses of the training included helping students understand the historical and literary context of a Bible passage, how a Bible passage fits within God’s big story of salvation centred around Jesus, and how to make Bible studies welcoming and inviting to non-Christians. These were new concepts to many of the students.

The take-up of the training was more than we had anticipated, with 15 students (half of the GBU Coimbra group) taking part, most attending with eagerness to learn and apply what they had been learning.

These are now 15 students who are now better equipped to handle God’s word and love those they lead, not only in the context of GBU Bible studies, but more significantly, in their respective churches across Portugal and beyond, now and for their lifetime.

Equipping Children’s Ministry Workers

Adi & Jennifer Romania

My husband Adi and I serve in Timisoara, Romania and whilst Romania is considered a very religious nation, with over 90% of the population of 20 million classifying themselves as Christian, to many this may mean little more than a cultural identity or simply attending a church, rather than an active relationship with the living Jesus Christ.

From our personal experience over many years, we saw many Protestant Christians were keen to have children as a part of their church but many lacked the training and resources needed to effectively reach children in their communities with the gospel. We also saw that in many places children were only taught a moral gospel of being ‘good boys and girls’. We were struck with the need to encourage and equip local Christians to teach children the true gospel of grace, how to become followers of the Lord Jesus and to grow in their faith.

It is our aim to encourage and equip local Christians to share the gospel of Jesus with the children of Romania, so that all children through every part of Romania get to hear and respond to Jesus. Whilst we are based in the city of Timisoara, through our partnership with AMEC (Child Evangelism Fellowship) our ministry extends to other parts of Romania, even to Romanians living throughout Europe via online training. Most recently we were encouraged to be able to assist in three local AMEC conferences, over three Saturdays in three different counties. The theme was ‘Beyond Words’, challenging and equipping children’s workers to find ways to teach Biblical truths in engaging and interactive ways. Our prayer is that those who attended were encouraged and equipped to use new and creative methods to teach the Scriptures to the children in their churches and communities.

First Culture Workers Equipping Their Church Community

Georg & Sandra Austria

Every summer (July in Austria) we run a kids camp which is a big highlight of the year. Our main goal is to share God’s love with the kids in a variety of ways. But it’s not just about the kids who come along to camp. It’s a great way to equip believers to lead others closer to Jesus.

Prior to camp, we sit down with each leader to look over our goals and vision. This sets and clarifies expectations and gives me (Georg) the chance to talk with them about their faith journey which gives me an insight into where they are currently at spiritually.

We also hold planning and training sessions to get ready for the program. We use this time to ensure that the leaders are well equipped for the task of leading.. We remind the team of the vision and the primary goal of sharing the hope of Christ Jesus. We aim to use this time to create unity within the team and create a sense of togetherness in God’s mission.

During camp, it takes a whole team to execute the planned program. There are whole group teaching times and small groups, and activities which include craft and games. Camp is such a unique environment of intense focus on running a program where kids and leaders spend a lot of time together. We see leaders grow personally and spiritually as they rise to the challenges of running such a camp. These challenges include possible extreme weather conditions, tiredness amongst both leaders and kids towards the second half of camp, pressure on team relationships and managing a range of camper behaviours.

Once camp is over and everyone has recovered, the leadership team comes back together 2 months later in September to reflect and debrief. Over these 2 days, we celebrate and reflect as we give thanks to God for what he has accomplished in and through the team. We count it a privilege to be equipping our fellow Austrians to share the hope of Christ Jesus.

AS YOU PRAY

Give thanks for the opportunities God is providing for the ongoing equipping of the church.
Pray for wisdom and grace as workers in the field seek to come alongside others for the sake of the Gospel.

This article appears in ECM News Winter 2025