European Student Festival
JELGAVA, LATVIA • AUGUST 16 - 21, 2025
European Student Festival gathers students from over 40 European countries.
Together, we celebrate unity in our cultural diversity. We will explore God‘s purpose for us at the university: what is God‘s plan for my studies? How can I make an impact there as a Christian?
ABOUT ESF
WHY CALL IT A FESTIVAL?
Because it is summer, it is time for beach, sports, arts, and an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful location in Latvia. There will be students from all over Europe and we have an entire week to make friends and enjoy great fellowship and rich conversations.
Extroverts will enjoy the activities and diversity of people, introverts will have time for solitude, time with God in the prayer room, or reflecting through a piece of art or in the nature. There are also elements of a typical conference: excellent Bible teaching from the book of Matthew, small groups, seminars, and workshops.
The festival will be a time of
EXPECT TO MEET WITH GOD AND BE CHANGED
God spoke so much to me! I felt him speaking to me through every sermon, every seminar, every person I talked to. I can see very clearly that God brought me here to hear him.
– Student from Israel
It was amazing to experience a connection with other students as we prayed together in different languages. And it was amazing to see how big IFES is — to realise that we are involved in a huge international project.
– Student from Italy
KINGDOM COME: DISCOVERING THE PERSON OF JESUS
We will explore the Gospel of Matthew which presents Jesus as the new king introducing a new kingdom. We will dive into the beauty of Jesus with his many facets, his authority and power.
Jesus invites us to be his disciples but he is more than a master who calls us to obey. He is a loving Saviour who gives his life for us. He is also the Son of God who conquered death. He promised to provide us with everything we need to bring God‘s kingdom to this world.
Through Bible teaching, small groups and fellowship, we will discover what that looks like for us as individuals and as national movements.
PROGRAM OF THE FESTIVAL
MAIN SPEAKER: JARED MICHELSON – Bible expose, Gospel of Matthew
MAIN SPEAKER: LAURA GALLACHER – Bible expose, Gospel of Matthew
SEMINARS, such as
- Practical discipleship
- Impact through servant leadership
- What is the Gospel – the Good News?
- Gospel in the digital age
- Seeker Bible Study
- Sharing the Gospel with your friends
- The reliability of Scriptures
- Creation Care & Environment
- Sexuality & Identity
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Jared Michelson is the lead minister of Cornerstone Church in St Andrews, Scotland where he has lived for the past ten years with his wife Becky. They have two young daughters. He has a BA in Bible and Church History from the Masters College, and an MLitt and PhD in Divinity from the University of St Andrews. He writes on matters broadly related to constructive systematic theology and serves as an honorary chaplain and lecturer at the University of St Andrews.
Laura Gallacher serves the wider church as a Bible teacher and preacher, speaking at conferences, evangelistic events, local church theology initiatives, and speaker training. She works at St Aldates Church, Oxford specifically serving the postgraduate community alongside her husband Owen. After studying English Literature at university, Laura taught at a secondary school. She then studied theology and worked in undergraduate ministry, before several years at home with her three small children.
More speakers and seminars to be announced soon!
FOR PARTICIPANTS
We are excited to welcome you to ESF 2025! Here is all you need to know to participate:
REGISTRATION
Fill out the form below to register for the event. It includes the necessary information to make the festival a great place for you, such as accommodation type, dietary restrictions, arrival, and special requirements. Once you register, we ask you to pay the participation fee to secure your spot.
PRICE TIERS
The price is € 229 until 15 February 2025.
- € 229,- (Early Bird until 15 February 2025)
- € 259,- (Standard until 15 June 2025)
- € 289,- (Last minute until 15 July 2025)
Price can differ based on what accommodation you select during the registration process.
Scholarships are available for students in need.
ARRIVAL
If you are arriving by plane, select RIGA International Airport (RIX), take a bus (no. 22) to the Riga Central Station or Bus Station. If arriving by bus, destination is Riga Bus Station.
Take a bus, train or taxi to Jelgava (44 kilometres, 45 minutes by train, 55 minutes by bus). See maps and your accommodation address in the confirmation email you receive after registration.
ACCOMMODATION
We offer different accommodation types to match your budget and preferences. We offer:
- a bed in a dormitory (2-4 people per room) with shared bathroom
- a spot in a classroom with shared bathrooms (mattress and bedding needed)
- tent space on school grounds (tent, mattress and bedding needed)
GET INVOLVED
BE A PART OF THE IMPACT
To make this conference a wonderful experience to everyone involved, we need your help! Join us and play your part to make Kingdom come to Jelgava, Latvia as we join with hundreds of students from all over Europe.
PRAY WITH US
Prayer goes before everything we do and we want you to partner with us for praying for this conference.
We are looking for volunteers:
- Music, Arts, Sports
- Technical support
- Translators (French, Spanish, Italian, etc.)
- Security and order
- Setting up and clearing up
- many more volunteers are needed
Please contact:
(viktorija.krasovska@ifesworld.org)