2023 Evangelism Network
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Europe is one of the most relativistic and strategic continents on the earth. Europeans desperately need to hear and understand the life-giving word of truth - the Gospel. How can this message be shared relevantly, biblically, and credibly? This Network brings together some of the best evangelists from across Europe to provide fresh understandings, best practices, and biblically rooted insights.
Optional prior preparation will be set for all applicants.
Applicants could be anyone interested in growing in evangelism who wants to be equipped to share the gospel messages in ways that are relevant, biblical, and credible. Applicants could also be anyone interested in helping others grow in evangelism as this programme could serve as a model to train others. The Network is focused at conversational evangelism and encouraging excitement around doing evangelism.
Network Leadership
Network Speakers
Max Baker-Hytch received his PhD in Philosophy from Oxford University in 2014 and subsequently held two postdoctoral research fellowships, one at Oxford (2014-15) and one at the University of Notre Dame (2015-16). Since 2016, he has been Tutorial Fellow in Philosophy at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford… Read more
Sharon Dirckx is an independent speaker, author and broadcaster whose work focuses on responding to the spiritual questions that people ask today. Originally from a scientific background, she has a PhD in brain imaging from the University of Cambridge and has held research positions in the UK… Read more
Julia Garschagen is a theologian and serves as the director of the Pontes Institute for Science, Culture and Faith in the German-speaking region. She speaks at universities and in business contexts across Europe and loves to be in dialogue about a faith that is both intellectually credible and… Read more
Luke Greenwood is British by birth, grew up in Brazil, and now lives in Wroclaw, Poland, with his wife Ania and their two children. He serves as the European Director for Steiger, a mission dedicated to reaching the Global Youth Culture for Jesus. Together with the Steiger Europe team, Luke has… Read more
John MacKinnon is the Director of Evangelism for The Word 121 www.theword121.com He has served as an itinerant evangelist, as Lead pastor of a local church and has brought leadership to his passion for the revitalisation of other churches. In his current… Read more
Tom Price is a lecturer at OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and was made an Archbishop’s Evangelist in 2019. He has experience and interest in outreach, cultural engagement, Bible teaching, and discipleship. He has degrees in Philosophy and Christian Apologetics and is currently… Read more
Clare Williams is a speaker and tutor at OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Her work focuses upon questions of race, justice and culture, and what the Christian message has to offer these contested issues. Prior to her work in apologetics, she was an English teacher in London… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 21 May
God came to seek and save. He gives us the enormous privilege to partake in this search of love for his beloved human beings. How can our testimony be inspired by the same motivation of love? How can we reflect Christ incarnated to those around us as we engage with them? And how do we overcome the fear of stepping on people's feet as we live and talk about the beauty, the truth, and the goodness of the Gospel?
Thinking about worldviews is important because of the power and effect of a worldview, but what are the different elements of a worldview and how can we uncover them? How can we help people decide which worldview is a good one and which worldview is a bad one? This seminar will give tools and teach practical skills that will enable people to have helpful and enjoyable conversations about our deeper beliefs with those around us.
Monday, 22 May
The question of suffering is one of the greatest hurdles to Christian faith. When believers respond to the question of why there is suffering in the world, they often turn to the free-will defence - that humans make bad choices that can cause suffering for others. However, that doesn't explain why children die of cancer, or why the latest earthquakes, tsunamis or pandemics have been so destructive. These seem to happen not because of our choices, but in spite of them. So how do we make sense of these events in light of belief in a good God? This session will take an honest and holistic look at the question of natural disasters.
The Apostle John gave his purpose statement for writing his gospel as “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name”. In this session we will explore how church members can grow stronger in godliness and maturity as they share the Bible with others, and how this discipline leads to many people becoming new followers of Christ through the power of God’s word. When we equip everyday believers to do evangelism which is grounded in sharing the word of God, in allowing God’s word to do what it does best, there is a renewed vitality and joy!
Tuesday, 23 May
The question of whether there is good evidence for God is one that Christians are bound to keep encountering, particularly in post-Christian cultures where the idea that the world is the handiwork of a creator seems very far from obvious to many people. In this seminar we look at three arguments for God’s existence that have generated much discussion not only amongst philosophers but also beyond the confines of the academy, namely: the argument from cosmic fine-tuning, the argument from morality, and the argument from consciousness. Finally, we look at an historical argument for Christianity from the evidence of the empty tomb of Jesus and the apparent postmortem appearances to the disciples.
Secularism has marked the European identity with loneliness, sexual brokenness, and a lack of purpose. This is a generation that does not look to the Church for answers, but believes it to be irrelevant to their lives. Many are apathetic, cynical, and even hostile to the gospel. Yet at the same time we see Europeans fighting for equality, justice, human rights, a sustainable planet, and a set of values that ultimately has its roots in Christianity, even if many no longer recognise this. There is also an incredible spiritual hunger among people, especially in times of crisis. This desire for a better world and this search for answers are great opportunities to share Jesus in a fresh and relevant way to a continent that desperately needs God.
Wednesday, 24 May
Talking about your faith in everyday conversations can be difficult. We may feel nervous or worried we might offend. This session suggests ways in which we can effectively share our faith with friends, colleagues and loved ones.
Answering tricky questions in conversations, on panels and after talks can be daunting. In this practical session, we will look at three stages that we can quickly go through in giving a reason for the hope. We will then work in groups to think about how we can give answers using this framework and how we give answers that open up further conversation about the gospel.