I live and work in Spain: a country where the church is growing, where interest in spiritual matters is surprisingly high amongst young people, and where my work as a journalist is currently overwhelming, if we were to report on, analyse or respond to everything happening in society and the church in accordance with Christian ethics.

Why should I spend a whole week in Poland every May? Setting aside so many days doesn’t make much sense if it just means we end up with more work-related stress piling up when we return.

But my connection to the European Leadership Forum – and specifically the annual spring conference in Wisla – is similar to that of other friends who travel from Bulgaria, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Italy or England, and who surely feel the same way. Their diaries are packed, yet they still catch a plane or a train every time.

All Evangelical Focus news and opinion, on your WhatsApp.

There’s probably no other conference quite like it in the European evangelical landscape. There are top-class speakers who tackle highly topical issues from a very solid and relevant Christian perspective. There’s also the huge bookshop stocked with up-to-date literature, available at heavily subsidised prices. There are alternative programmes, including documentary screenings, art workshops and concerts. Then there are the dozens of organisations on the ground who come together to explain their projects – including us. During every meal, there are numerous one-to-one mentoring sessions taking place.

And well, let’s be honest: the location is beautiful, nestled amongst the mountains, beside the River Wisla, in a splendid hotel even on rainy days.

That person who introduces you to someone else you really ought to meet, from the other end of the continent; the conversation in the bar later that evening with friends who’ve had a tough year back home

However, what really makes the difference at ELF is the heart of the conference, which isn’t written in any programme. It’s the conversations in the corridors, the prayers with whoever happens to be sitting next to you, the discussions in small groups of people with shared goals.

That person who introduces you to someone else you really ought to meet, from the other end of the continent; the conversation in the bar later that evening with friends who’ve had a tough year back home.

The exchange of views that extends beyond a workshop on a very specific topic you’ve been pondering for months – and for which you’ve finally found an expert interlocutor willing to advise you.

“It’s incredible how the organisation brings all these people from across Europe together here and creates the infrastructure for conversation to flow so organically,” an English participant told me this year, as we chatted over a beer on the last night.

Another colleague, also a journalist, often travels the world to similar gatherings, and told me a few years ago that he’d never attended a Christian conference with a better atmosphere than this one.

This is the ecosystem that the hundred volunteers, working hard alongside the small team of staff, have created with ELF. From the welcome at the airport to the very practical help in difficult moments, their genuine interest in people and their desire to serve with excellence make it an inspiring model of humility and excellence.

 

Spaces to share a vision and speak in confidence

It is within the Network (the thematic sub-groups of 20–30 people where much of the schedule takes place) that these personal relationships flourish most. In the Media Communicators group, to which I have belonged since 2014, we tackled some fascinating topics this year: ranging from the concept of the online church and what the future holds for technology applied to congregations, to how to cover a church scandal journalistically, through to how to conceive a feature-length documentary on Christian art and archaeology, and even delving into the global impact of Korean entertainment (such as K-pop Demon Hunters or Squid Game).

It is that sense of confidence to speak and to listen that makes ELF a space where connections are forged that extend far beyond the conference itself

Within that same small group, the afternoon spent openly sharing about life, ministry and prayer requests demonstrated the spiritual reality that people who barely know one another can share a vision of the gospel and of life that resonates with others, regardless of their national background.

It is that sense of confidence to speak and to listen that makes ELF a space where connections are forged that extend far beyond the conference itself. One example is Evangelical Focus, where, since our foundation in 2015, we have published dozens of interviews with people we met for the first time at ELF; where many others have begun writing as columnists using this platform for Europe; and where unexpected conversations have sparked stories that would be published months later.

 

Simon from Germany sees it the same way. He messaged me on WhatsApp a few days after returning from Poland this year: “It was both encouraging and fascinating to me to see in how many countries and in such diverse ways people are taking the initiative to creatively communicate the gospel today”.

The ELF conference is a “goldmine” where any random conversation can turn into great personal and ministerial encouragement

Ioana from Romania explains that what struck her most was “meeting many servant-hearted leaders who are shining for Christ across Europe and beyond (…) It was amazing to see how the Lord met each of us personally where we are in our walk with Him, connecting the dots of a bigger picture and giving us the opportunity to partner with people who are being light and salt across Europe”.

Once again, the key to mission in Europe is people.

 

Should you be taking part in these conversations too?

The ELF conference (and its even more specific programmes held throughout the year) is a “goldmine” where any random conversation in the queue at a restaurant or on the bus back to the airport can turn into something that brings great personal and ministerial encouragement.

That is why I keep returning to Wisla.

Should you also block out a week in May in your diary for next time? The 2027 ELF conference will take place from 22 to 27 May. Registration opens months in advance, shortly after the summer. Here at Evangelical Focus, we’ll let you know as soon as all the details are available.