European Leadership Development
Healthy leaders for healthy movements
Growing Christ-like, competent leaders for sustainable movements
A healthy, effective student ministry depends on godly and effective leaders. That’s true of pioneering groups, of long established organisations, and of everything in between. It’s also true of student leaders, staff at all levels, and board members.
Whether you’re new to your role or experienced, whether a student or a senior leader, we invite you to join with others on an IFES Europe leadership journey that will equip you for the challenges and give you companions on the way.
CHARACTER, CONVICTION, COMPETENCE
Our Leadership Development programs build up leaders at all levels in Christ-like character, conviction and competence.
All our programs are specially designed to be embedded within the context of your day to day role in student ministry, by a team with deep experience in this work.
Your learning journey will take place within a close-knit, supportive learning community where you will share and grow with peers from across Europe. This reflects IFES’ strategy of “Thriving together”.
We create safe spaces to…
- explore leadership from a biblical perspective
- allow your character as godly leaders to be shaped by Christ
- learn the skills and practices that will make you able and effective leaders
- set goals, often with the help of a mentor
- reflect on and share your challenges and successes.
And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skilful hands he led them.
PSALM 78:72
SUPPORTING SUSTAINABILITY
Healthy leadership is important for all movements to survive and thrive.
That means nurturing a dedicated staff who will stay for the long term, growing in maturity, experience, faith and fruitfulness and supported to meet the challenges without burning out.
Our Leadership Development pathway supports long term sustainability for individuals and movements. This reflects the IFES key strategy “Thriving into the future”.
We help students, staff and movements to thrive into the future – building resilience, adopting best practices, cultivating skillful and godly leadership, and developing sustainable structures.
THE IFES EUROPE LEADERSHIP PATHWAY
Our Leadership Development programs are designed around four key stages on the ministry journey. We support, motivate and train individuals for their current roles and equip them to progress in accordance with their calling. That might be just one program or course, or it might involve a longer learning journey as their role changes.
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
2 TIMOTHY 2:22
Formación
For student leaders.
Young Staff Network (YSN)
For staff with up to two years’ experience.
Staff Development Network
For staff with three and more years’ experience, who are seeking to grow in depth, resilience and endurance for long-term ministry.
Contact us for more information.
Staff Mentoring Community
For those with six or more years’ experience, a space to re-evaluate and seek direction.
Contact us for more information.
DEVELOPING WHOLE LEADERSHIP TEAMS
THE MEET
Don’t miss this key annual residential gathering for whole staff teams!
The Meet is a chance for national staff teams to take time out together at the beginning of the calendar year for reflection, renewal, fellowship, training and planning – and to forge partnerships with other movements.
Building on the former annual European Staff Consultation (ESC), The Meet is an extended gathering that now includes valuable learning and discussion opportunities with our regional ministries and networks specialising in evangelism, international student ministry, graduate ministry and more.
“I came with a lack of joy and motivation for my work and got refreshed – keep on doing this, please!”
“It is so refreshing to simply ‘receive’—to be taught, fed, and cared for.”
PAST ESC PARTICIPANTS
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
PROVERBS 27:17
EXTRA SUPPORT FOR SENIOR LEADERS AND BOARDS
Being part of IFES means not facing challenges alone. General secretaries and boards have access to support and expertise through peer groups, the IFES Europe regional team, and other complementary IFES programs.
Pastoral and ministry support – as part of a small cluster group, and at our annual region-wide General Secretaries Gathering, each general secretary has opportunities to unburden, share, learn and be encouraged and prayed for.
CLUSTER GROUPS
For year-round encouragement and fellowship, IFES Europe ministry leaders facilitate close-knit Cluster groups where general secretaries can share with others who understand the unique challenges of this role.
“It’s a community of people who understand… and are able to help me process my experiences, support me in my growth and simply help me on my journey.”
CLUSTER GROUP PARTICIPANT
GENERAL SECRETARIES’ GATHERING
The General Secretaries’ Gathering is an annual retreat for general secretaries to meet, learn from the Bible and each other, worship, pray and enjoy time away from the daily pressures.
“I always look forward to coming here and being with my family all over Europe”.
“Great worship time, great teaching, great sharing.”
EUROPEAN GENERAL SECRETARIES
Fostering a culture of good governance is critical for avoiding crises and dealing skillfully with difficult management issues. IFES Governance Development team provides orientation, best practice training and bespoke consultation for senior leadership teams. This includes helping board members understand and carry out their distinct roles and responsibilities. Key events include the annual Governance Training Day. Interested? Contact us.
Look out for these and other training events on our IFES Europe events listing for movements.
IFES EUROPE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Directing our Leadership Development programs is an experienced and committed international team from Bulgaria, Czechia, Italy and Poland.
Craig Weyrens is Associate Regional Secretary for IFES Europe. He lives in Sofia, Bulgaria with his wife Tatyana, who is also a member of the team. Craig holds a Masters degree in International/Global Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary and a degree in Mathematics from California Polytechnic State University. He has worked in student ministry for almost 30 years.
Eva Petržilková is a member of the IFES Europe regional ministry team and the Leadership Development team, coordinating the Young Staff Network and the Staff Mentoring Network. She is passionate about scripture and also coordinates IFES Europe’s Scripture Engagement work. Based in Prague, Eva has been in ministry for over 15 years.
Beata Szrejder got involved in student ministry while at university in Poland. She has been a student group leader, a high schools ministry volunteer, and a regional coordinator on the staff of national movement ChSA. She also spent ten years helping the student movement in Slovakia. Back in Poland she now serves as a mentor to leaders, caring for and helping lead local groups and supporting university outreach initiatives throughout the country. Her greatest passion is studying God’s word and teaching others to do the same.
Tanya Weyrens is a Bulgarian who was introduced to Jesus and committed to follow him as an art student. Since then she has been passionate about reaching students as they are asking important questions and making decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. She has served with the Bulgarian Christian Student Union for the past 27 years. Tanya loves coming alongside students, welcoming them into her home and life, and helping them to know Jesus and his grace.
Hannah Donato studied music at Cardiff University where she was heavily involved in her student group. It was during her studies that she felt called to long-term ministry in Italy. After university she studied applied theology and then moved to Italy, serving with the national movement GBU for 21 years. Hannah is passionate about teaching scripture and equipping students and staff to continually grow in their faith.
NURTURING NEW GENERATIONS OF LEADERS
Many of those serving in significant roles with our region’s national movements started out their journey as young staff and students who were equipped and encouraged through IFES leadership development training.
They include the following general secretaries and former general secretaries:
- Lydia Adams, ZVEŠ, Slovenia
- Thomas Hagmüller, ÖSM, Austria
- Desislava Kisyakova, BCSU/BHSS, Bulgaria
- Manos Tzamtzis, Interim General Secretary, IFES Greece
- Rasha Saba, FCSI, Israel
- Sigita Makčinskienė, LKSB, Lithuania
- Kirsi Vimpari, formerly EEÜÜ, Estonia
- Christian Pichler, formerly ÖSM, Austria (now serving on IFES Europe Regional Ministry Team)