Pioneer Europe is a conference that Relational Mission, our family of churches, runs for pioneers in Europe. Each year we gather pioneers, planters and people who help send for equipping and encouragement. It helps us showcase our values and culture too.

This year we gathered over a hundred people from 15 nations, with half of the attendees coming for the first time. Many of those were looking to build relationship with Relational Mission and explore connection for our shared mission.

It was a great week! the feedback has been that it was the best yet. It was lovely for us to host and sponsor flights for Nick and Myla from Kiev to come. They are a superb couple doing an amazing work in the Ukraine.

I arrived a day early to help setup (I am on the organising team) and do some pickups from the airport for people like Nick and Myla and a young family from Helsinki.

The theme of the conference was “So That Your Joy May Be Full: Enjoying God, Reaching the Nations”, exploring John 15:11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete”. We dug into this theme in three main parts, focusing on these topics each evening;

• His Joy In Us: Delighting in God
• His Joy Amongst Us: Our Relationships with each other
• His Joy Through Us: Reaching others

In the mornings I ran a training track on “Intercultural Churches” with Simon & Kate Walker, who incidentally will be with us at Gateway at the end of November. We taught on churches really becoming “one new man in Christ”, learning how every culture plays a part in church life and avoiding dominance by one culture. It was a great seminar track with people hungry to learn and apply in their settings.

The evening meetings were unhurried times of worship, teaching and prophetic ministry, that were outstanding!

After hours I encouraged people to wander down to the local ice cream parlour. Those “out of hours” times are key moments of culture setting that mission is relational – good chats, lots of laughs and nice ice cream!

For me, Maurice Nightingale’s talk on the last day was standout. He spoke like an apostolic father, commenting on the ending of Paul’s letter to the Romans, exhorting Relational Mission in essence.

Romans 16:1-2 The Power of Sincere Commendation

Words of commendation from mothers and fathers can have a huge impact

Do not underestimate the power of your words

Romans 16:3-4 The Attitude of Heartfelt Gratitude

Fellow workers who risked things, they weren't just ‘useful'

For people who spend their lives in obscure places

Romans 16:5 The Warmth of Genuine Affection

Proud of Epaenetus

Don't see their fruitfulness as a threat to you!

No indication that Mary had a profile role but Paul noticed her

Remember special honour to the modest parts of the body

Romans 16:13-15 Warm Greetings

Rufus, his mother who is my mother

Personal affection, strong relationships

Tell people – don't let them guess

We don't celebretise people

Another key for me was the deepening friendship with Nick & Myla from Kiev and connecting them with others.

All in all a very powerful and upbuilding conference. Pioneers across Europe have gone home with hearts refilled with joy for the task before us.

Next year’s conference will be 22 – 25 September 2026 • Málaga, Spain – maybe you can come too?