Serving the Nations: ELF 2025

In May 2025 I (Gordon) had the privilege of joining a small delegation of leaders from Relational Mission to support the European Leadership Forum (ELF) in Wisła, Poland. Relational Mission’s connection to this annual gathering began when Terry Virgo introduced Mike Betts to the organisers of ELF. Maurice and Rachel Nightingale now continue the relationship, bringing a delegation each year to serve leaders from across the continent of Europe.

A Gathering of the Nations

ELF’s vision is simple but profound: to unite, equip and support evangelical leaders so that the Church in Europe might be renewed and the gospel proclaimed across the continent. This year, over 800 delegates gathered in the beautiful valley town of Wisła, mostly from Eastern and Central Europe but with others from further afield too. It was a truly multicultural gathering - full of energy, hope and expectation.

Many of the leaders who attend ELF are leading in challenging contexts with little to no meaningful support. Some have witnessed unhealthy or extreme models of church. Most are confident handling Scripture but hesitant to approach the gifts and ministry of the Spirit. They hunger to learn more about healthy Word and Spirit expressions of church, which is where we as Relational Mission have something wonderful to teach and model to them.

Sharing the values of healthy church life and leadership with delegates from all over Europe and beyond

Serving the Church of Europe

ELF delegates commit to one training network that they attend daily over the course of the conference. Relational Mission has been invited to run a Foundation Network and Advanced Network; the first introducing our foundational values around ‘Church Life, Leadership and Church Planting’ and Mike Betts’ A Way of Life book material, and the latter further building on those.

This year, I was invited to support Stef Liston in the an advanced training network, re-writing the training material using our UP: The Urban Planting School curriculum to equip church leaders with key values and practices for healthy church life.

Mealtimes were also valuable times for connecting with church leaders

As always, the fruit was not just in the teaching content but in the conversations. Over the course of the week, I connected with several delegates, and some great new friendships began to form. As a result, in mid-October 2025, I had the opportunity to visit one of these new friends in Lublin, Poland to spend time with their church, the leadership team and to encourage them in their mission. I also connected with a remarkable serial church planter from Parma, Italy, receiving an open invitation to spend time with my new friend, meet his wife and hopefully be a blessing to their church family. What an unexpected joy!

Finding space to breathe

ELF can be an intense week, packed with teaching sessions, workshops and conversations, most of them within the hotel walls. By the third day I felt the need to get outside for some fresh air. Having received my directions to a nearby river, I laced up my trainers and headed outside.

Times of refreshment in the surrounding woodland

Wisła, Poland: An area of stunning natural beauty

What followed was one of the most awe-inspiring runs of my life. I followed the winding stream that ran through the valley, surrounded by forested hills and the sound of rushing water. I managed 10 kilometres, and it felt like oxygen to my soul. Over the next few days I went out again on slightly different routes, getting a little slower each time, but always refreshed by the beauty of creation. Those moments became a spiritual reset — a helpful reminder that God delights to meet us in stillness as well as service.

One big family

Outside of the teaching sessions, some of the richest moments came in the friendships within the Relational Mission team. We ate meals together, hung out together in the hotel bar in the evenings, even finding time for a game of bowling (which, I’m pleased to humbly report, I won!). It was also a joy to watch others in the team in action. Malcolm Kyte, who mentors ELF delegates from the conferences, was constantly engaged in conversation, encouraging and investing in emerging leaders.

Fun and games: Taking advantage of the hotel facilities inbetween sessions

Fellowship: Going for a walk in the nearby town

As I mentioned, Relational Mission runs both a Foundation Network and Advanced Network; one introducing our foundational values around ‘Church Life, Leadership and Church Planting’, the latter further building on those. One evening we brought both networks together, around 60-70 of us gathering in one room. The atmosphere was brilliant as we modelled our Relational Mission values, sharing and praying in smaller groups and encouraging one another. It was a glimpse of family life across the nations, and it was beautiful.

What I took home

For me, ELF 2025 was both exhausting and exhilarating. It stretched me, refreshed me, connected me with new friends, and reminded me of the bigger picture of God’s mission in Europe. Above all, it left me thankful for all that God has entrusted us as an apostolic family of churches, and for the grace of God that continues to open doors for the Gospel and healthy New Testament church life to be propagated across the nations.

ELF is more than an annual trip abroad. For us as Relational Mission, it’s part of a call to serve the church more widely across Europe who are hungry for a healthy expression of the Word and the Spirit in our lives. Delegates often return home with renewed vision and practical equipping, as well as a sense that they are not alone in their calling. What we so often take for granted — belonging to a healthy, relational, Spirit-filled church family — is deeply longed for by many across the continent, and I am humbled and grateful for the influence God has entrusted us — influence that has come through the obedience of people like Mike Betts, Maurice and Rachel Nightingale, Stef Liston, and many others who have sown faithfully into these relationships.

If you ever get the opportunity to join one of these trips, I’d encourage you to consider it. To walk alongside leaders from across Europe, to share the life we enjoy together, and to see God at work in surprising and beautiful ways - it’s a real privilege.

by Gordon Watson

Gordon has been married to Natalie for 19 years, and together, they are adoptive parents to two young adults. In 2018, they were sent from Cornerstone City Church (Medway, UK) to plant Hope Church Sittingbourne (Kent, UK). Today, Hope Church is an established community that meets throughout the town during the week and gathers together on Sundays.

Gordon holds a Master's degree in Missional Leadership, is an avid Charlton Athletic supporter and serves UP: The Urban Planting School as the Course Co-ordinator.