Plenary Sessions
The European Leadership Forum programme includes plenary sessions for all participants to attend each morning and evening. These sessions consist of worship, prayer, and teaching. The plenary live stream is available on our YouTube channel. See the schedule below for times, speakers, and topics.
Morning Plenaries
Peter J. Williams is the Principal and CEO of Tyndale House, Cambridge. He was educated at the University of Cambridge, where he received his MA, MPhil, and PhD in the study of ancient languages related to the Bible. After his PhD, he was on staff in the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge (1997–1998) and thereafter taught Hebrew and Old Testament as an Affiliated Lecturer in Hebrew and Aramaic at the University of Cambridge and Research Fellow in Old Testament at Tyndale House, Cambridge (1998–2003). From 2003 to 2007 he was on the faculty of the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, where he became a Senior Lecturer in New Testament and Deputy Head of the School of Divinity, History, and Philosophy. Since 2007 he has been leading Tyndale House. Dr Williams is also an Affiliated Lecturer in the Faculty of Divinity in the University of Cambridge, and a member of the Translation Oversight Committee of the English Standard Version of the Bible. His book Can We Trust the Gospels? (Crossway, 2018) has been translated into 12 languages. His rediscovery of part of the lost star catalogue of Hipparchus featured in the journal Nature in 2022. His latest book is The Surprising Genius of Jesus (Crossway, 2023).
The story of Achsah is one of the Bible’s most ignored stories, even though it occurs twice in the Bible. It is an inspiring story, which should encourage us to have bold faith and to ask God for great things.
Deborah is the most spiritual leader in Israel in her day, through whom God gives a great deliverance. Though she wants Barak to lead, she doesn’t shrink from the task God puts before her. Her story shows us how we can step into leadership and be used by God.
We will begin this session by considering some of the archaeological evidence for Gideon and for the judges in general. We will then look at how Gideon gives us an example of growth and decline in leadership. Gideon goes from being a coward to leading God’s people, but sadly at the end of his life goes astray.
Judges ends with two stories set in the third generation of the judges. They show how quickly Israel goes astray. In Micah’s story, we find how God’s people get embroiled in a mess of idolatry. We think about the lessons we can take from this for building healthy churches, institutions and movements.
Evening Plenaries
Rico is a passionate evangelist, and former Senior Minister of Evangelism at All Souls, Langham Place in London. Co-Founder of Christianity Explored Ministries, he is a regular speaker at missions and evangelistic events around the world. He’s married to Lucy and they have three young children.
In our evangelism, the results belong to God; what we’re accountable for is being faithful to proclaim the true Gospel. But what is the true Gospel, and how can we be sure we’re faithfully explaining it to others? This talk will unpack Paul’s message in 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 and provide a vision and strategy for faithful evangelism.
Leonardo De Chirico is the pastor of Breccia di Roma, a church that he helped plant in Rome in 2009, and Chair of the Theological Commission of the Italian Evangelical Alliance. Previously, Leonardo planted and pastored an evangelical church in Ferrara, Italy from 1997 to 2009. He earned degrees in history (University of Bologna), theology (ETCW, Bridgend, Wales) and bioethics (University of Padova). His PhD is from King's College (London); it was published as "Evangelical Theological Perspectives on Post-Vatican II Roman Catholicism". His recent books are "A Christian Pocket Guide to Papacy" (Christian Focus, 2015), "A Christian Pocket Guide to Mary" (Christian Focus, 2017), "Same Words, Different Worlds: Do Roman Catholics and Evangelicals Believe the Same Gospel?" (IVP, 2021), and "Engaging with Thomas Aquinas: An Evangelical Approach" (IVP, 2024). He is a lecturer of historical theology at Istituto di Formazione Evangelica e Documentazione in Padova, Italy. Additionally, Leonardo is the director of the Reformanda Initiative, which aims to equip evangelical leaders to better understand and engage with Roman Catholicism, and the leader of the Rome Scholars and Leaders Network (RSLN).
The Council of Nicaea happened in 325 A.D. and was the first gathering of Christian leaders from across the known world to settle major theological disputes. In this case, the dispute centred around the deity of Jesus Christ. This year marks the 1700th anniversary of Nicaea. Why is it important for the church in the 21st century to remember this historic event? What impact does the Council of Nicaea have on our lives and ministries for today?
Heather Holdsworth (MA(SFD) DipTh BEd(Hons)) is a Bible teacher, lecturer, artist and enjoyer of deep conversations over tea with friends. Her focus is on the subject of Spiritual Formation and Discipleship for people of all ages. After graduating with a degree in education, she taught in various schools, specialising in emotionally and behaviourally disordered young people. She has a keen interest in how people grow and, following a 2-year diploma in Practical Theology, completed an MA in Spiritual Formation & Discipleship in Seminary in Chicago in 2010. Heather is currently writing an illustrated commentary on the Psalms from her home in St. Andrews, Scotland where she lives with her husband, Adrian.
To follow Christ, we rise from slavery to freedom, from the law to a life of adventure. But the long path of obedience can deplete our reserves. Demands make us weary; the unknowns rock our peace. In this session, we look at resilience – how to be strengthened and where to find courage.
Zefjan Nikolla is the General Secretary of BSKSH (IFES Albania) and pastor of Emanuel Evangelical Church in Tirana. He is involved in various national and international evangelistic initiatives ranging from youth ministries to attempts to reach government leaders. He is also the director of the Albanian Leadership Forum. His passions include sports, reading, and above all, seeing his nation turn to Christ. Zefjan is married to Edita and they have two daughters, Greis and Emili.
What is biblical leadership? What qualities must Gospel leaders possess? The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12 include the essential teaching from our Lord Jesus about the hearts and actions of people living out the Kingdom reality. This session will outline who we are to be as Gospel leaders and the blessedness that comes from living out the teachings of Christ.