European Leaders Meet in Madrid

By Jason Archer on January 24, 2012 in Departments, LLM February 2012, Magazine, [World]

Versión en Español → Spanish

by Jason Archer

“The primary purpose is connection. We bring people from 10 different countries for connection with God and connection with each other. All of us face challenges, and, when we come together, there is more encouragement and more life in Jesus,” said Coleman, Free Methodist World Missions’ area director for Europe. “I wanted to encourage people and challenge people that we are the branches, that Jesus is the vine, and our primary responsibility is to remain attached to him.”

As the church grows in Europe, its people become grafted into the Free Methodist family.

“I think it’s important for our people,” said Susy Fajardo, missionary to Spain, “because we talk about the Free Methodist Church being a connectional church. We tell them we have brothers and sisters all over the world, and this (conference) is what makes it real for them.”

The leader gained resources, perspective and encouragement about the church’s growth.

“I remember when we landed in 1996, and I was praying for just one pastor to emerge out of Europe,” Coleman said. “To then sit in a circle with Bishop Roller with about 20 pastors and receive three ministerial candidates, that’s one of the big thrills.”