OLDENBURG, GERMANY (ANS) -- Next week it is anticipated 6,000 people from around 40 different nations will gather in Oldenburg, Germany for what organizers promise will be one of the most significant European events devoted to the subject of missions.

For Heaven’s Sake is the theme of the mission-net European Mission

Thousands gather at previous Mission Net Congress

Congress taking place Apr 9-13 at the Weser-Ems exhibition site in Oldenburg, in northern Germany

“If you are interested in worshipping and learning together with thousands from many other European countries, then this event is for you,” said Congress Director Andy Juliff.

He added: “It will be a chance for you to grow in your faith, discover what God is doing in your country, continent and world, and to find your part in it! The congress will focus on the theme of ‘missions’ and challenge participants to live out a ‘missional lifestyle’ wherever they live.”

Mission-net is a movement that is commissioned by the European Evangelical Alliance, and the European Missionary Alliance. These are two organizations that together with their national organizations represent literally thousands of churches and missionary sending agencies across Europe.

Mission Net logo

Their goal is simple according to Andy Juliff: “In a day and age where the subject of mission has been mineralized, we want to see a new wave of young people reaching out to their neighbors and the wider world!”

The motivating program will include Bible-based messages, and reports of current mission trends in local and global mission.

Bishop David Zac Niringiye, based in Kampala, Uganda, will lead the Bible studies during the morning meetings. The evening sessions will be led by guest speakers, including: OM Founder, George Verwer (UK and USA); co-author of Operation World; Jason Mandryk (Canada); Professor of World mission und East European Studies, Dr. Peter Kuzmic (Croatia); Founder of Open Doors Brother Andrew (Netherlands) and East European Director of AMG International and General Secretary of the Greek Evangelical Alliance, Fotis Romeos (Greece).

Worship will be led by the well known Dutch band World News. Late night concerts will feature Bill Drake (USA) and Judy Bailey (Germany), with several others still to be confirmed.

Well-known Spanish mime-artist Carlos Martinez will illustrate messages in his own unique way.

Around 80 seminars and workshops have already been confirmed, covering a range of themes including world religions, mission theology, art and mission, politics and mission, and business and mission. Around 150 mission agencies will be represented in the exhibition hall, providing participants with a comprehensive overview of the many opportunities for mission involvement.

The Mission Advice Centre (MAC), the congress career counseling service, will enable experienced workers to give practical advice and assess gifting to help identify the best fit for a person in local or global mission.

After the congress, a range of mission agencies will host over 25 short-term teams, with trips taking place immediately after the event and throughout the summer.

More information about the congress is available at the mission-net website: www.mission-net.org. The site is regularly updated with the latest news and information.

Participants should register through the on-line registration facility. The price for the congress is 230 Euros ($309.257 USD), which includes entrance fees, food, dormitory accommodation and the full program.

Peter Wooding is a freelance TV, radio and print journalist and media consultant. He is married to Sharon and they live in North Wales, UK with their three children. He has traveled extensively reporting from countries including Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, Dubai, South Korea, Zambia, Gambia, Mozambique, Croatia, Israel and India. He was news editor for UCB radio in the UK for more than 10 years. Having previously been a missionary for five years with Youth With A Mission, Peter still has a real heart for missions work and in the past few years has led short-term mission trips to Zambia, Beslan, Russia and Ukraine. He is also the director of ASSIST Europe which is involved in helping children's projects in Eastern Europe including the Hearts of Love Centre in Konotop, Ukraine. Peter is available for freelance and media consultancy work. To contact him email: woodingpeter@hotmail.com, tel. +44 1244 549167/+44 7500 903067.