Gathering the nations: Pioneer Europe 2024
On September 25th, over 100 people, including myself, travelled to Málaga, Spain, for Pioneer Europe. This conference brought together individuals passionate about pioneering within our Relational Mission family of churches, as well as others from beyond.
I loved how diverse the group was. I was expecting to see people from many different nations and tongues and was not disappointed. What I wasn’t expecting, however, was the variety of motivations folks had for being there.
There were church planters and those exploring a potential call to the nations, plus supporters, senders, and church leaders. I also loved that men and women who have pioneered in the past but, for whatever reason, haven’t been ‘successful’, also felt able to be there.
I attended because, as a pastor of a local church, I wanted to find out how I could better encourage church planters and stimulate a fresh desire for church planting in my own church setting. I met several others with the same heart.
Fellowship, Worship, and Teaching
Some of the highlights for me were the fellowship, the food, unhurried times of worship and teaching, and the training tracks.
Fellowship was at the very core of the conference. We all stayed in the gorgeous Casa Diocesana Málaga, which meant there was plenty of opportunity to sit, chat, eat, pray, and just be with one another. Food was in abundance, as was the wine! People went for runs, played cards, did some sightseeing, and swam in the sea. Old relationships were strengthened, and new ones formed. Connections were made, and hearts united. Very special indeed.
When we weren’t eating or enjoying one another’s company, we spent time in God’s presence, singing, praying, prophesying, and encouraging one another. The evening meetings lasted around three hours, which provided ample time to hear from God and enjoy Him without the concern of ‘having to wrap things up.’
The teaching fostered devotion and was wonderfully equipping, with men and women bringing us to Jesus's feet. I was personally encouraged, motivated, and empowered to continue my role in the mission to plant churches all over Europe, and I’m sure many others were, too.
Training Tracks were an opportunity to explore specific areas around pioneering along with others
The training tracks were super practical, covering subjects like how to start and keep a church plant healthy. They also included a prophetic track that allowed people to hear what God was saying to them.
Personal Encounters and the Lasting Impact
Besides being in a beautiful city with hot weather and fantastic food, I was re-envisioned that God is at work in a big way. Another, more personal demonstration of this was found on the Friday when one of the young people at the conference, Jan, decided he wanted to get baptised. Amen! Apologies if you were baptised in the North Sea or a cold swimming pool. Jan chose well, opting for the warmer and more picturesque Málaga beach to devote his life to Christ.
As I departed Spain with a couple of dear friends, I was reminded that we were family on a mission. We take time to be with one another, hearing the highs and lows and standing with one another through it all. We pray for one another and give financially to all God is doing. There may have only been around 100 of us at the conference, but let us always remember that we are pioneering together. Maybe next time, you might book yourself in.
by Paul Hatton
Paul Hatton grew up in Bedford before relocating to Norwich, where he has lived ever since. He is one of the pastors of King's Community Church, City West.