Delegates from across Europe and North America gathered in York this week for the REC100 Europe Church Planting & Parish Revitalisation Conference. Participants travelled from Croatia, Germany, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States, joining together in a spirit of prayer, fellowship, and shared mission.
The conference opened with Morning Prayer, after which delegates launched into high-level discussions surrounding evangelism, sustainability, ecology, and Christian leadership. These themes continued to shape the week, which featured a wide range of academic, spiritual, and practical engagements.
A particular highlight was the keynote lecture delivered by Prof. Stefan Paas, who explored the nature of contemporary Europe through the lenses of post-Christendom, post-Christianity, and post-modernity. His thought-provoking address examined the challenges and opportunities these contexts present for evangelism in today’s world.
Midweek, delegates travelled from York to Salford and Tottington on a field trip to explore two case studies in church planting and parish revitalisation. These visits provided real-world insight into how gospel work is being carried out in local communities. The day concluded with a service of Sung Evening Prayer.
Later in the week, the group made a pilgrimage to Durham, where reflections focused on the rich legacy of Celtic Christianity and its resonance with the Reformed Episcopal tradition. Delegates considered how the scholarly and spiritual communities of the early Middle Ages might inspire and inform the church’s witness in the 21st century.
As the conference drew to a close on Friday, there was a deep sense of gratitude for the week shared—marked by prayer, friendship, teaching, learning, and the opportunity to explore the beauty and heritage of northern England. Delegates returned to their home countries encouraged and equipped, carrying with them fresh vision for ministry in their local contexts.
