How long, oh Lord?
Tuesday 19 October 2021 13:11 Jonathan and Nicola McCracken continue to work in the heart of the west of Ireland, Claremorris, where they have been church planters with ECM since 2013.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, much has changed over the past year for all of us. Government restrictions, amongst other things, has meant that being close to people feels like something we used to do, but can’t do anymore. When will things change? No one can say for sure.
In the Old Testament book that bears his name, Habakkuk is wondering why God doesn’t do something in the midst of His people’s increasing waywardness from Him. “How long, O Lord, must I call for help?” Habakkuk isn’t stuck in the middle of a world-wide virus, like we are now, but in a similar way, he wants to see things changed for the better. He wants the injustice in his land to stop, along with the ungodliness and idolatry.
As church-planters in Claremorris in Co. Mayo, we often pray these days for an end to the virus but, even more importantly, for a spiritual change in the nation and for lives to be transformed by the power of God. When will that happen? We cannot say, but that doesn’t mean we have no answer or hope. In the book of Habakkuk, the Lord answered the prophet by saying that an answer would come but, in the meantime, “the righteous will live by his faith….” (2:4).
Just recently, Andy and Rachel Millar have been doing Friday night Zoom meetings with the two little sisters who come to our church. For around thirty minutes, the girls hear a Bible message and sing fun songs. On Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, we have also been able to meet together to encourage one another in day to day life, share from a Bible passage and pray for one another. Thankfully, local radio enables weekly Bible reflections to be broadcast and the internet enables connectionswith people via Facebook and YouTube videos. These broadcasts and videos have been listened to and watched by people from different parts of Ireland and beyond.
As we seek to make disciples in the West of Ireland, God’s answer to Habakkuk reminds us to keep living by our faith and leave the answers to Him. This is an encouragement in days when we live at a distance to others, yet can live closely with God, wherever we are.
Stories from Europe > 2021
December
November
- 11/23/2021 11/23/21, 12:00 PM - Helping others to love Muslims
- 11/16/2021 11/16/21, 9:43 AM - The call to missions
- 11/12/2021 11/12/21, 12:10 PM - Trusting God in Portugal
October
- 10/26/2021 10/26/21, 2:00 PM - The gospel into people's homes
- 10/19/2021 10/19/21, 1:11 PM - How long, oh Lord?
- 10/11/2021 10/11/21, 12:12 PM - Tom and Grace Campbell
September
August
July
May
April
- 4/27/2021 4/27/21, 12:00 PM - Confined but connecting
- 4/20/2021 4/20/21, 5:30 PM - A life transformed...
- 4/6/2021 4/6/21, 11:30 AM - A light in the community
February
January
READ our stories about what is going on across Europe,
PRAY for the projects and the workers involved!
Searching for Hope
April - 14 - 2026 12:52 Across Europe, many people are searching for meaning, identity, and hope. Behind the statistics are real lives. Meet Sander. full storyCalled? Keep going!
April - 08 - 2026 12:42 Sensing God’s call to mission can be both thrilling and daunting. Anna’s journey back to Romania reminds us that when God calls, He provides — and you are never alone. full storyThe Triumph of the Cross
April - 01 - 2026 12:23 As we approach Easter, we remember the Cross — the moment that changed eternity — and give thanks to Jesus, the King of kings. full storyClaremorris Church Opens Its Doors
March - 25 - 2026 11:31 What began as a small gathering in a town hall has become something far greater. On 21 March 2026, the growing church in Claremorris, County Mayo, celebrated the official opening of its very first building — a powerful milestone and a testament to God’s faithfulness. full storyStep Into Mission: Opportunities Across Europe
March - 18 - 2026 10:55 What could your next step in mission look like? Across Europe, doors are open for you to serve, grow, and make a meaningful impact. Whether you’re exploring a short-term experience or sensing a longer-term call, there are opportunities waiting where your gifts can make a real difference. full storyWomen of Faith
March - 04 - 2026 12:27 This March, we celebrate the incredible women serving in mission — women who lift God’s name high, shine His light, and make a difference across Europe. full storyA Church Takes Root
February - 25 - 2026 11:48 In the fast-paced rhythm of Budapest, a new church is taking root. Through patient relationship-building and creative outreach, Tamás and Virág are seeing lives changed and a vibrant community begin to grow. full storyEncouraging Growth in Portugal
February - 18 - 2026 12:05 There are hopeful signs of growth in Portugal, as new data reveals a significant rise in church planting across the country — a reminder that God is at work, often in ways we may not immediately see. Read on to see what God is doing! full storyThe Heavens Declare
February - 11 - 2026 13:17 Berlin Psalm Project’s second album is here! Experience the Psalms like never before, with jazz-inspired arrangements that stir the soul. full storyNew Neighbours
February - 04 - 2026 12:48 What does it mean to leave a familiar, supportive Christian environment and move to a place where the gospel is rarely heard? Last August, Edward and Trix Landman took that step together with their children. Now, a year later, they look back on their first experiences. full storyJoin God’s Story in Europe
January - 28 - 2026 17:24 At ECM, our work is more than programmes and projects—it’s about people, and ultimately, it’s about God, at work in and through us. Every time a believer is equipped, a community is connected, or a disciple is multiplied, it is His Spirit moving, using us as instruments for His glory. full storyA New Beginning in Frankfurt
January - 21 - 2026 14:12 In one of Germany’s largest cities, a new church-plant is emerging through prayer, presence, and trust in God’s leading—bringing hope to the Oberrad community. full storyHope, Healing, and Growth in Barcelona
January - 14 - 2026 11:22 Something is happening in a church in Barcelona—something gentle, hopeful, and hard to ignore. Andy and Andrea Warner have been watching how quiet healing, honest searching, and unexpected growth are transforming people's lives. full storyThere’s no Plan B...
January - 07 - 2026 10:54 “The church is God’s plan for the salvation of the world. There’s no Plan B… God is putting all his eggs in the church basket.” (Stephen Foster) Thank you for being part of God’s great Plan A! full storyHappy New Year from ECM!
January - 01 - 2026 11:41 May 2026 be a year of hope, growth, and renewed courage to share Christ in every community. Together, one disciple, one church, one soul at a time, we can see Europe transformed. full storyMerry Christmas from ECM!
December - 23 - 2025 11:15 As Christmas approaches, we pause to celebrate the greatest gift the world has ever received: Jesus Christ, God with us. His birth reminds us that hope shines brightest in the darkest places—just as your partnership helps the gospel reach communities across Europe where hope is needed most. THANK YOU! full storyStanding with Bitaj
December - 16 - 2025 11:03 As Christmas approaches, many of us are preparing to gather in warm, familiar places — churches filled with carols, candlelight, and the joy of Christ’s coming. In Bitaj, Albania, the Way of Peace Church has long been such a place: a simple building where families come to worship, to learn, and to find compassion in Jesus. And now they need our help. full storyJoin the Team
December - 09 - 2025 10:23 Remedy International Wesleyan Church in Poděbrady is seeing remarkable growth among students and is praying for new English-speaking missionaries to join their team. This opportunity invites you to invest in relationships, strengthen a vibrant church community, and share the hope of the gospel in the Czech Rep. full story