|TOP|Baptists from across Europe were challenged to find their vision and transform it from an idea into reality when they gathered for a special International Baptist Leadership Course earlier in the month.

In total 14 European nations were represented at the weeklong event held for the first time on the campus of the Elstal Baptist Education Centre near Berlin, with participants young and old sharing in their ideas.

Participants in the sessions were encouraged to reflect on good vision-building, which requires a firm grasp of given factors, including individual personality, faith, abilities and group characteristics.

Pastor Christoph Haus, Director of Germany’s Church Youth Ministry stated: “Before discovering a vision for my life and work, I must know: What are my values, what are my principles, what is my understanding of the Gospel?”

|QUOTE|Participants were also reminded of practical elements essential to keeping hold of vision, primarily the need to build a sound strategy and plan for how to make the vision a practicable reality.

Youth Coordinator for the European Baptist Federation (EBF), Jeff Carter, referred to the lessons that could be learned from the Old Testament prophet Jonah.

“Those acquainted with Jonah’s feeling of being swallowed know, if I have recognised a vision for my life then I must pursue that vision, because otherwise my life will be without meaning,” he said.

The week of learning was interspersed with deep prayer and meditation on the issues and challenges raised during the course, as well as an international culture session to celebrate the diversity of the participants gathered.

|AD|Participants in the training testified to the unity displayed during the week despite the international makeup of the group.

Tjorven Hetzger, a student at the Elstal Bible School’s one-year programme, concluded: “Most pleasant of all was that a completely relaxed and natural form of interchange was possible despite differing cultures.

“We are united by our faith in Jesus Christ – that was evident in a truly dramatic way.”

Pastor Haus praised the way in which Serbs and Croats, Lebanese, Israeli and Egyptian participants joined together in leading meditations and services during the week.

“Their mutual discipleship overcame political differences and divides,” he said.

The International Baptist Leadership Course was organised by the Church Youth Programme of Germany’s Union of Evangelical Free Churches (Baptists) and the European Baptist Federation.

This was the first time the annual event was held at the Elstal Baptist Education Centre in Germany.