My Hope for EuropeScot Bower - 26 May 2011
"Prayer is the hope of Europe."
Ivan, looking up over his glasses, smiled and repeated:
"Prayer is the hope of Europe… Are you hearing me? Do you understand?" Then again he repeated the phrase slowly "Prayer. Is the hope. Of Europe."
Ivan had my full attention now.
I love Europe, her diversity both in people and culture, her history shared across nations that is so often wrapped up in the history of the church and her vibrant life and creativity. And I’m desperate to see her come alive once again in the loving gaze of Christ. So I picked up my pencil and began to hastily scratch notes, catching up quickly and wondering what this prophetic pastor from India might say next.
Ivan Raskino is a church planter, people rescuer and mentor for rural church pastors. Based in Mubai India, he was in the UK recently for a short while and found the time to speak to the Guildford Boiler Room. As he humbly recounted stories of his wife's cooking and meeting shoeless father and son pastors in the fields of India his infectious warmth spread through the Boiler Room.
Ivan knew little of 24-7's history or it's connection to Europe yet as he took a look at the website he heard God speaking to him powerfully "24-7 Prayer is the hope of Europe!" Again and again as he Ivan came back to the place of 24-7 in Gods plan for Europe.
Over 10 years ago whilst camping in west Portugal, Pete Greig had a vision of countless young people standing as an army from all over the continent of Europe. An army who were responding to the call of God and to the heart of Jesus for their continent.
For years 24-7 have rallied people to this cry, and the vision to change Europe through movements and communities of prayer. We’ve seen countless Prayer Rooms in Europe, mission teams and missionaries sent out as well as churches and communities established, all praying for God’s kingdom to come and his will be done amongst the nations of Europe the worlds first Post-Christian continent.
Now we believe it’s time to call the church in Europe to Stand Up. Pete’s vision was of an army standing and God has been whispering that to us as we began preparing for this years 24-7 European Gathering. Ivan’s words last week reminded me once again that 24-7 Prayer have a prophetic mandate to call the church to prayer and mission in Europe.
That's why this year 24-7 Prayer are calling out to Europe and beyond, to Church Planters, Community Builders, Missionaries, Prayer warriors and Jesus lovers who care about this 'prodigal continent', to Stand Up! If you are amongst that number I urge you to come and join us in Frankfurt this October and take your place alongside others from the European tribes and cry out to God for this land. There will be plenty of time for standing with one another, sharing the stories and dreams of our lives and joining together in prayer. We'll also have:
- key messages from Pete Greig and Ian Nicholson and others allowing them to speak from the heart about hope for Europe,
- Seminars and discussion groups focussing on topics like strategic church planting in a post christian context and reaching the unreached
- worship with a Balkan flavour led by the Glasnost Communities from Macedonia and a
- roof top room with a 360degree view of the Frankfurt skyline that we will dedicate to non-stop prayer and worship.
If you live in or care about Europe and want to see this land changed, redeemed, reconciled to Christ... Then you really should be booking your ticket.
The day after Ivan visited the Guildford Boiler Room Ian Nicholson caught up with him to hear more. Ian says:
I commented to Ivan that if in 20 years, 24-7 was growing in China, Indonesia and the USA but had somehow faded in Europe I would feel like we had missed something.
He was quiet and then said ‘you won’t have missed something... you will have missed everything!’ Thankfully Ivan ended with his broad smile and the assurance "but we won't miss it because God is in it.
Sometimes it amazes me that God would send a warm hearted Indian pastor half way round the world to encourage and remind people of the words He has spoken… But I know it shouldn’t! God is the God of the extraordinary.
Book your place at 24-7’s Eurogathering now.
