2026 Marriage and Family Ministry Network
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The Marriage and Family Ministry Network's vision is to see families transformed and become instruments of restoration and reformation. The Network will train and encourage Christian leaders who want to grow in their own marriage and family relationships and help other marriages and families be healed and transformed. Participants in the Marriage and Family Ministry Network will receive specialised training at the Forum Annual Meeting as well as helpful resources and mentoring opportunities.
What Network Participants Are Saying
- "I was encouraged when I saw so many leaders and ministries together with the same goal to spread the Gospel and revive the church in Europe. It is very powerful to understand that we are not alone and we can share resources, equip one another, and encourage one another."
- Daniel Lavric, Pastor, Romania - "Attending ELF is a real battery charge for my soul and ministry. It's a place for continuity of learning and growth. Over the past years, I have had the opportunity to deepen my skills in discipleship, apologetics, homiletics, and church revitalization. This year I am taking part in the Marriage and Family Network to learn how to more effectively serve and mentor young university couples. I was not able to attend ELF for the last 3 years and I felt like there was a huge gap in my growth and development. So even more I appreciate the chance to be here with such a wonderful crowd of saints. ELF is boosting me for the upcoming challenges and ministry."
- Leszek Wakula, President of Polish Bible Society, Poland
Through the Marriage and Family Ministry Network, leaders will be equipped to help families be transformed by the power and presence of God’s amazing grace into instruments of restoration and reformation.
Network Leadership
Network Speakers
Paul Bowman has 30 years of experience in full-time youth ministry in the local church. He now serves as the national director for Josiah Venture UK. He is committed to training and equipping the next generation of youth leaders, and mobilizing people, prayer and resources for ministry to youth… Read more
Sharon James studied history at Cambridge University, theology at Toronto Baptist Seminary, and has a doctorate from the University of Wales. Sharon is married to Bill, who is Principal of London Seminary. They have two grown-up children and eight grandchildren. She has taught history in the UK… Read more
Krista Miller (Th.M., Dallas Theological Seminary) and her husband Philip, reside in Chicago, IL where they serve at The Moody Church. She has served as a pastor’s wife for nearly 20 years and is currently working toward a D. Min. with research in pastoral care for ministry spouses.… Read more
Philip Miller is the 17th Senior Pastor of The Moody Church. He and his wife Krista are graduates of Cedarville University (’04) and both hold Th.M. degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary ('10). They live in Chicago with their four children: Claire, Violet, Cora, and Jude. Pastor Philip is… Read more
Jay Mosser has served in pastoral roles for 43 years – about 20 years in various assistant pastor capacities and the rest as senior pastor. Through those years he has served in three churches ranging from smaller (less than 50) to larger (about 1,000). Along the way he has worked with children,… Read more
Dave Patty has been involved in training youth leaders and leading national and international youth movements in Europe for over 30 years. He serves as the president of Josiah Venture. He is also a founding member of Concentric, which mobilizes and equips youth ministry trainers in over 60… Read more
Helen Thorne-Allenson is the Director of Training and Resources at Biblical Counselling UK. She is an experienced speaker and author whose recent books include "Mental Health and Your Church," "Hope in an Anxious World," and "5 Things to Pray for a Suffering Friend.… Read more
Ahrum Yoo was born and raised in South Korea, lived in Indonesia, and later moved to the United States for college. She studied Economics and East Asian Studies at Smith College and earned a Master's in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. After completing her studies, she returned to… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 17 May
In every country and in every language, human relationships are the most basic fabric on which society is built. The starting place for human relationships inevitably begins with marriage and family. Our view of the world around us, our understanding of God, and even our core values are formed early in life by those closest to us. Marriage and family ministry is not just "one more thing to do." It is a place of urgent need and our earliest opportunity for generational discipleship to begin. In this session, we will establish a biblical framework for how we view marriage and family ministry, and we will cast a vision for the Marriage and Family Network at the 2026 Forum. You'll be glad that you joined us!
Marriage is not a social construct; it is a divinely ordained institution going back to Creation. As many today prioritise individual freedom, marriage is increasingly regarded as just about the personal happiness of the two people concerned. This leads to the weakening of the norm of marital permanence, and ultimately to the redefinition of marriage to include same-sex relationships. We need to have confidence to speak out, and live out, the truth and beauty of God’s good design for men, women, and marriage.
Monday, 18 May
Parent-teen communication can be one of the greatest challenges and opportunities in the family. In today’s culture, many teens are navigating pressures and influences that can create distance and misunderstanding at home. This seminar will explore how Christian parents can build open, grace-filled conversations with their teenagers, rooted in biblical wisdom. Together, we will address obstacles and highlight some practical tools and approaches to help parents strengthen their relationships with their teens and guide them in faith and life.
The Bible tells us that singleness is a gift, but there are many in our churches who find the single life hard. Come and explore how we can encourage those who are single, divorced, or bereaved to find contentment, purpose, and hope in their circumstances - as we all turn to Christ together and seek to love each other well.
Tuesday, 19 May
The institutions of both marriage and the Church have their origin in the heart of God and are mutually reinforcing in their relationship with one another. How can churches help cultivate healthy marriages? And how can healthy marriages in turn strengthen our churches? Come discover a rich theological vision for Christian marriage in relationship with the local church, as well as practical steps for ministry leaders.
‘How do we raise our children to be successful?’ Parents across cultures wrestle with this timeless question. The Bible provides a framework to understand parenting pitfalls and demonstrates what true ‘success’ looks like in a troubled world. This session seeks to clarify some of the mistakes we can make as parents and provide practical biblical guidance for parents seeking wisdom in how to be faithful in nurturing the next generation.
Wednesday, 20 May
While everyone else is talking about sex and gender, the ones who have the most wisdom to give - parents, youth leaders, pastors and older friends - are often embarrassingly quiet. How should you talk with young people about sex and gender? How do you start the conversation, and what do they most need to hear from you? How can your words about God’s perspective make all the difference as they try to make sense of their sexuality in a very confused world? Drawing from over 30 years of experience working with young people in Europe, Dave Patty will equip you to be ready for life-changing conversations.
In this last session, we will explore the following questions:
- How can we apply what we have learned to our own marriages and family relationships?
- What can we take back to our home churches and ministries to teach and encourage others?
We plan to end the Network by reflecting on lessons learned this week and putting together a personal action plan. We will form cohort groups to keep one another accountable to the plans we've made and to spend some time in prayer.