United in Prayer, discover Mahabba
Tuesday 06 June 2023 11:05 Mahabba is a prayer movement that stresses the importance of seeking God before immediately turning to action. It seeks to bring Christians from various church backgrounds together in unity to pray for and engage biblically with Muslims in their neighbourhood.
Mahabba is also an organic, grassroots movement where the responsibility lies in the hands of local Christians. As such it is highly relational and flexible allowing for multiple partnerships on the ground without too much need for formal agreements.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have been able to start a Mahabba network in Belgium. In spite of the challenges posed by Covid, or by the complexities of a country with several languages and cultures as Belgium, we have seen God at work. At some point we had 13 prayer groups meeting up but since Covid the number has gone down to 7 groups that still physically meet together to pray. In order to adapt we have started to produce a monthly prayer guide for individuals or prayer groups to use. This is sent to about 150 email addresses. Other national events, such as the annual Mahabba conference and the online night of prayer during Ramadan, are well attended.
One of the positives that has come out of this project is not only the mobilisation of prayer but the sharing of testimonies. During Ramadan 2021 we mobilised a night of prayer for which we asked some people to make a short video of how God has been at work. Here is one such short story:
To preach liberation to the captives...
Matthew 25:36b "I was in prison, and you came to visit me."
The chaplain met Amir* when he was being held in an isolation cell having recently attempted suicide. Not long after his arrival in Belgium, Amir ended up in prison. Traumatized by experiences in his homeland and now stuck in a foreign country, he had reached a low point in his life. The chaplain prayed for Amir, upon which he experienced a calmness amid his fear. Shortly after, Amir was given a Bible in his own language. During the many lonely hours, he began to read and felt the soothing presence of Jesus. Eventually he was allowed to leave the isolation cell. He participated in an Alpha course and watched a film about Jesus. Little by little he was able to communicate and he opened his heart to Jesus.
God’s Spirit truly is at work amongst Muslims in Belgium! Thank you for your support, for your prayers, and the offerings that have allowed us to start this work. When Christians unite in prayer, we are sure to see miracles in our midst.
Stories from Europe > 2023
December
- 12/31/2023 12/31/23, 11:30 PM - Happy New Year from ECM!
- 12/19/2023 12/19/23, 10:15 AM - Connecting with the Global Church
- 12/12/2023 12/12/23, 10:00 AM - Connecting across Europe
November
- 11/28/2023 11/28/23, 12:39 AM - Christian or Kingdom?
- 11/20/2023 11/20/23, 4:20 AM - Why Pray for Mission? | Sam Boog
- 11/14/2023 11/14/23, 9:55 AM - New book dealing with rest and recovery
- 11/8/2023 11/8/23, 12:59 PM - Christian leaders gather from across Europe
October
- 10/27/2023 10/27/23, 10:44 AM - A Great Book: "Church Planting in Europe"
- 10/24/2023 10/24/23, 2:28 PM - Insights into ministry in Greece
- 10/17/2023 10/17/23, 1:08 PM - Sharing the vision for European ministry in… Uruguay?
September
August
- 8/25/2023 8/25/23, 12:44 PM - News from Ukraine
- 8/16/2023 8/16/23, 2:01 PM - A Summer's Story
- 8/4/2023 8/4/23, 11:09 AM - Wild at Heart, a Testimony
- 8/2/2023 8/2/23, 5:07 PM - "Camino Antiguo" Guesthouse in Spain
July
- 7/21/2023 7/21/23, 3:19 PM - Trauma Healing Small Groups in Slovenia
- 7/14/2023 7/14/23, 3:06 PM - Church Planting in Slovenia
- 7/6/2023 7/6/23, 2:54 PM - Equipping a New Generation
- 7/3/2023 7/3/23, 2:02 PM - Mum & Baby Club in Spain
June
- 6/28/2023 6/28/23, 4:00 PM - Life and Ministry in Times of War
- 6/6/2023 6/6/23, 11:05 AM - United in Prayer, discover Mahabba
- 6/2/2023 6/2/23, 1:34 PM - Camino Guesthouse in Spain
May
- 5/22/2023 5/22/23, 3:23 PM - Greenhouse Repaired!
- 5/15/2023 5/15/23, 11:00 AM - Freedom in Christ: a testimony
- 5/8/2023 5/8/23, 12:42 PM - The Irpin church: a testimony of love and service
March
- 3/15/2023 3/15/23, 10:04 AM - Angry and Grateful
- 3/13/2023 3/13/23, 9:37 PM - Living through the war
- 3/7/2023 3/7/23, 10:07 AM - Let's walk!
February
- 2/24/2023 2/24/23, 11:34 AM - They were living in a 15m2 hut...
- 2/2/2023 2/2/23, 5:57 PM - The war has torn down many houses, we are building them up.
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