Student Leadership Formación
AN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM IN STUDENT CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
Formación is a life-changing, year-long Christian leadership development opportunity for current and potential student group leaders from all over Europe.
It is the first stage of IFES Europe’s leadership development pathway that has provided new leaders for national movements and the wider church.
Our students have come back with a changed perspective and priorities… accompanied by a clear direction and a bursting enthusiasm – it is simply overwhelming!
NATIONAL MOVEMENT STAFF WORKER
Developing leaders with character
The world desperately needs strong, morally sound leaders – from politics and business to science, culture, education and the church. So do national Christian student movements.
With a strong emphasis on character formation as well as knowledge and skills, this tried and tested IFES program is designed to grow leaders equipped to impact their universities, their societies, and ultimately the whole of Europe for years to come, as they embark on their careers.
Each new Formación cohort explores leadership in relation to a biblical theme chosen specifically for its relevance to the current European context.
I learned that I’m a leader, but we make decisions together. It’s not about “I”, but about “us”.
I gained a lot of experience in many areas. I want to mentor some of my non-believing friends and tell them more about Jesus… I realise how to better start conversations with non-Christians.
PAST FORMACIÓN PARTICIPANTS
Exploring kingdom leadership in a supportive community
Within the close-knit Formación learning community, students explore what leadership looks like in God’s kingdom. Throughout the program, a variety of speakers help them think in depth about who God is, and reflect on their role in serving him in their own contexts.
Students will:
- study who God is, how and why he created them
- discover what leadership looks like in view of our own personal strengths
- explore their own contexts and the needs of the gospel within it
- understand how to pass on this learning to others in their current settings
- be enriched through new friends for life from around 20 European countries
- each be supported by their national movement.
FORMACIÓN 2026-27
Called in Chaos – looking for a better hero
While global leaders preside over a world in turmoil, our Christian calling is to model ourselves on a better hero.
To readers of the Old Testament book of Judges, the search for a leader who will rise to overcome the chaos is a familiar scenario. In its midst, God continues to demonstrate his faithfulness, calling his people to follow him.
In this new Formación learning community we will ask God how to live out our calling faithfully in today’s turbulent world, both as his children and as leaders in student ministry.
Through Bible teaching, worship, community groups and times of solitude and reflection we’ll explore more of what it means to seek Jesus as our better hero today.
Join us – we would love to have you there!
CRAIG WEYRENS, PROGRAM DIRECTOR FORMACIÓN 2026-27
Formación is a good fit for you if:
You know Jesus and seek to know him more.
You agree with our statement of faith.
You are already serving in student leadership (ideally).
You are nominated by your national movement staff or general secretary.
Time commitment
- 3-9 August 2026: 6-day conference in Bulgaria, with Bible teaching from Heledd Job, learning cycles, leadership teaching, worship and fun social activities led by senior staff from across our European fellowship.*
- Monthly community group meetings and mentoring sessions on Zoom.
- A residential event in a European country in May 2027 to celebrate the end of the course.
Course fees
2026 cohort: €400. This covers all conference costs including food and accommodation, but students are responsible for their own travel fees.
Fees may be paid by individuals or the national student movement. Scholarships may be available if needed.
The application deadline is 15 June 2026. All applications will be confirmed with your national movement, who will verify your nomination and support your learning journey.
Program Team
Formación 2026-27 is delivered by Craig Weyrens and members of the IFES Europe Leadership Development team, together with former and current members of our Young Staff Network (YSN) leadership program from across Europe.
Craig Weyrens is Associate Regional Secretary for IFES Europe, primarily focusing on our leadership development programs. He lives in Sofia, Bulgaria with his wife Tatyana, who also works in student ministry. 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.
Heledd Job, regional team leader for Christian Unions Ireland, is the speaker for the Formación kick off conference in August. As a student herself, Helen realised that God wants people from all nations to come to know and love him. She has spent the past 20 years serving in student ministry, in Wales, Slovakia, Italy and as part of the IFES Europe Leadership Development team. Heledd is now a regional staff team leader for CUI Ireland, where she loves helping students understand God’s great love to us in Jesus by digging into the Bible.
Help us invest in future leaders needing financial help today
Formación is part of the IFES strategy supporting national movement sustainability. Past participants have gone on to senior leadership positions within multiple movements including Austria, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, as well as in the wider church.
We don’t want to turn any away for reasons of cost and are grateful to any IFES supporters who can help us offer more scholarships.