History of the EMF
Origins
From 1935 to 1940, a young Scots evangelist, James Stewart, laboured for the sake of the gospel in several countries in Eastern Europe. His efforts were attended by exceptional blessing; Christians were revived and large numbers of souls converted to Christ. This led to the formation of the European Evangelistic Crusade, which within a few years of the end of the Second World War, had become an international mission whose aim was to evangelise Europe.
In the early days, European Missionary Fellowship existed as a British branch of the EEC but in 1959 was established as a Mission in its own right. The name was adopted at the time to express the idea of a fellowship of God’s servants working together for the spread of the gospel, rather than of a highly organised society. Today, EMF continues to serve evangelical churches of Europe as an inter-denominational mission committed to the Reformed Faith.
What is the Challenge
The continent of Europe comprises about 13% of the world’s population – towards eight hundred million people living in over thirty countries. All have a Christian tradition of sorts – Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant – but know very little of evangelical truth. Over the past half century or so atheism, humanism, secularism and materialism have eroded these traditions.
If the Christian gospel is primarily a faith in Christ and Christ alone, it is safe to assume that only a very small minority of Europe’s millions have ever heard that message. Man-made religious systems with their ceremonies and rituals are common throughout Europe and accepted superstitiously by many of the people. Protestantism has largely lost the message through which it came into being. On the one hand, it has become indistinguishable from the errors of Roman Catholicism, and on the other, is more concerned about experience than truth.
The present situation is one where all the historic denominations are in decline. There has been little meaningful exposure to evangelical Christianity for several generations and Evangelicals, who make up less than three percent of the population, are very fragmented. Communism seems a spent force and modern sects are competing fiercely for the minds and hearts of the masses.
The collapse of Communism and the opening up of Eastern Europe has again provided opportunities for missionary activity. However, the general picture is of a vast spiritual wasteland that urgently needs labourers to clear the ground, sow the seed of God’s Word, and pray to God for the increase. This is the European mission-field to which EMF is committed.
What is Our Aim?
The over-riding aim of EMF is to establish Biblical Christianity throughout Europe. This embraces the work of evangelism, church-planting and supporting gospel churches, at the same time encouraging them to become self-governing and self-supporting. We work closely with evangelical churches both at home and abroad in our constant desire to further the spread of the gospel.
To achieve this aim, we facilitate the support of both missionaries sent out from the United Kingdom (and other countries) and indigenous pastors and evangelists. We also recognise the need of training for those who wish to serve the Church and provide an intensive thirty-week theological course in Welwyn, Herts. Prospective applicants must be recommended by their home church and have some working knowledge of English. Students are often sponsored through the course by individuals or churches.
Finally, we are becoming increasingly involved in translating and publishing good Christian literature to assist those engaged in gospel work. We are co-operating in this venture with Publishing Houses in two European countries – Poland and Spain. Our intention is to provide believers in these countries and beyond, with a little of the wealth of Christian literature available to the rest of the English speaking world. Our assistance is possible through funds specifically designated for this purpose.
How Are We Structured?
EMF is registered as both a Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee. The Members’ Committee, made up of the Directors and representatives of supporting churches, sets out the Mission policy and oversees its implementation. Prospective members and workers must agree to both the Mission’s Constitution and Statement of Faith.
Serving members of EMF are allowed as much freedom as possible in their respective spheres of ministry, but as those accountable to the Lord. Nevertheless, as a Mission we continually monitor their situations, so that we ourselves are good stewards of the funds donated for our use. We accept responsibility for raising all the financial support; this enables the workers to give themselves fully to their mission of spreading the gospel. They are required to submit regular reports and prayer letters and make deputation visits to the UK at regular intervals, so that interest in the work of the gospel throughout Europe is maintained.
We produce a monthly Prayer Letter and publish a quarterly magazine ‘Vision of Europe’. If you would like to receive regular up to date information about the work of the Mission, please contact the office.
What of the Future?
Despite some progress being made in Eastern Europe, the situation throughout the continent as a whole shows no sign of any great spiritual advance. EMF expects to play a positive role in the spread of the gospel throughout Europe for the foreseeable future. We are currently supporting the work of the gospel in sixteen European countries and looking to expand our sphere of involvement. To that end, as and when opportunities arise to support gospel outreach or develop new literature work, we will consider offering practical, financial and spiritual assistance.