Report by Emily Davies
This year’s International Conference was held at the Bible Centre in Dömös, Hungary once again. Around 50 attended the first week and about 60 attended the second week, with people coming from Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Romania, Germany, Austria, USA and UK. The two weeks were such a great time of learning and growing together.
The first week’s lectures were given by Mark Davies on the lessons from the early chapters of Luke and the second week’s lectures were on lessons from Genesis 1-11, taught by Roger Brind. After each morning lecture, there was a time for discussion groups, giving chance to dig a bit deeper into the points raised in the lecture and share relevant experiences from our lives and different countries. After coffee time, there was a choice of seminars on various subjects from the Trinity, to faith in times of crisis, to loving God with all your mind. This was also a great opportunity to share our own experiences and learn from one another.
The afternoons were mostly free time with some organised group activities, such as, bike rides, gorge walks, swimming and visiting the surrounding towns. These were great times of developing friendships and relaxation. During the evening sessions, there was a time where people could give reports of projects, outreaches, ministries etc in their home country. This was a great opportunity to hear about how the Lord is working in different countries in Europe and learning how to pray for each other. Morning and evening there was also time for prayer in our own language groups.
We have received very positive feedback from those who attended the conference and are also very appreciative of their suggestions for improvement. Please pray that we will continue to develop and improve the conference as we are led by God. Please also pray for all of those who attended will have been strengthened in their faith as they go back to their own churches and seek to share Jesus’ love with their home countries.
The numbers attending were encouraging and included a good number of Ukrainians some of who came for the first time and others, refugees from the Donbass Region in the east of Ukraine, now living in the west of the country. Some we had not seen for several years. We were glad to be able to
help them financially by reducing the price for them. Many had harrowing stories to tell of experiences they had had before deciding to flee the warzone.