Malenovice/Czech Republic – How is Baptist youth work done in Europe? That issue stood at the centre of a biannual gathering in the Czech Republic involving 13 students from Acadia Divinity College in Nova Scotia/Canada and 11 youth leaders from Europe and the Middle East. Organiser and host for the event was the Canadian Dr. Jeff Carter (Prague), the European Baptist Federation’s (EBF) Youth Leadership Training Coordinator. The young Canadians also spent four days visiting their counterpart’s home countries: Belgium, Estonia, Italy, Croatia and Lebanon. There they were able to see first-hand how youth work is being done.

The main event was a conference for the group in a Christian retreat centre at Malenovice in the eastern portion of the Czech Republic. Dr. Steve Griffiths (Cambridge/Great Britain) spoke on the topic of ‘Growing into Leadership’. Dr. Griffiths is also an Anglican clergyman, youth leadership specialist and author. He is past president of the International Association for the Study of Youth 

Ministry and founder of the Journal of Youth Ministry.

Jeff Carter concluded following the event: ‘This event is simply one of the most pivotal and transformational events in our work with leaders. Each time, young leaders come away challenged and touched by the lives of others. It has in some cases changed completely the way they do ministry’. Rev. Dale Stairs, director of this programme for Acadia Divinity College, regards the event as a true highlight in the partnership between Acadia and the EBF.