Europe is changing rapidly, from the life of its cities to major ideological, economic and technological trends. But do evangelicals have a clear understanding of how the Christian faith has shaped the past and can positively influence its future?

“Evangelicals have had a blind spot concerning Europe for theological and historical reasons. We tend not to think of ‘Europe’ – but focus on the local church”, believes Jeff Fountain, who leads the Schuman Centre for European Studies.

He explained to Evangelical Focus that it is essential to reflect on this knowledge gap together with influential Christian leaders from various countries.

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“We need to be challenged about how to be salt and light in Europe at local, national and European levels”, the cultural analyst based in The Netherlands says, because when evangelical Christians “withdraw from engagement in the public square we leave the future to be shaped by those with other values”. 

Details of the programme

The Summer School will be held in English and is open to anyone from outside the Netherlands who is interested in taking part.

The three modules on offer are ‘Engaging the City’ (13–17 July), ‘Engaging the Public Square’ and ‘Engaging Europe’ (27–31 July). The first two will take place entirely in Amsterdam, whilst the third begins in the Dutch capital but moves to Brussels partway through the week.

It is possible to attend individual modules or to take all three consecutively.

“Mornings will start with bible study and prayer, followed by (interactive) talks, and afternoons will allow for field activities in Amsterdam, or in Brussels, visiting various EU institutions and their exhibitions”, says the organisation.

“Films, discussions and informal conversation over coffee or drinks will round the day off. Each module will be a full week of living and learning together, with accommodation available in YWAM facilities in Amsterdam and Brussels. Weekends are free”. 

Speakers

Contributors will share from their experience as practitioners “in urban missions, politics at different levels, justice workers”.

Among those speaking are Piet Brinksma and Jurjen ten Brinke, leaders in church networking in Amsterdam; Gea Gort (author of God in the city) and Mirjam Verweij (chair of the Christen Unie political party in Amsterdam); Ed Heger (by zoom, former Prime Minister of Slovakia), Antonie Fountain (international lobbyist for fair trade in chocolate, coffee and cotton), Tim Svoboda (YWAM international urban missions leader, San Francisco - via video), Nicola Censini (EU civil servant) and Tatiana Kopaleishvili (Euroepean Evangelicaal Alliance Brussels Representative).

Staff members Daniel de Bruin, Tron Ansaldo and Jeff Fountain will also give inputs.

In the past, also in Thun, Geneva and Heerde

The Youth With A Mission initiative to reflect on public life has been taking place most years since 2010, when the Schuman Centre was established. “We have held these mainly in Amsterdam, but also in Einigen on Lake Thun (Switzerland), Heerde (Netherlands), Geneva and Brussels”, explains Fountain.

“Themes have included the biblical origins of human rights, how the Bible shaped western civilisation, Christian values and European integration, and moments of grace in modern European history”.