STORIES FROM
EUROPE

As our ministry focus with ECM has evolved over the last ten years, we have generally found ourselves walking alongside others.  God has made clear to us that our calling is not just to do mission, but to equip others for it. Over the years, that word has come to life in countless ways—and today, it shapes every part of what we do.

For a time, we worked in partnership with Navigators, and they introduced us to the term ‘Mobile Alongsider’, which captures well the essence of the roles we have within ECM. Through both Zoom and face to face visits, we can provide support, encouragement and counsel.

The pivotal role in ECM’s field ministry structure is the Cluster Leader.  These leaders walk alongside field workers in their cluster, providing ministry guidance, accountability, helping them connect into networks, empowering & developing them, and ensuring there is good member care. Essentially, as mobile alongsiders themselves, they are equipping the workers in their cluster.

In her Field Ministries Director role, one of Kate’s responsibilities is to ensure that this equipping is also happening for the Cluster Leaders, and she works with a small team (including Andrew) to facilitate this. Our travel often involves visits to Cluster Leaders, such as our trip to Portugal, Spain and Ireland back in January, where we did a number of Personal Development Conversations with leaders there. This face to face time is so valuable.

At its core, equipping is about seeing what God is doing in a person’s life and joining him there—calling out gifts, nurturing growth, and cheering people on as they step into God’s bigger story. We count it a privilege to be part of that process every single day.

—Andrew & Kate, ECMers in Bulgaria