Europe: Restoring Hope

“Here is proof that it is possible to restore hope to this great continent when God’s people work together.”

 

Europe: Restoring Hope is the title of an amazing new book by Deborah Meroff.  It is a compendium of information about all sorts of diverse missional initiatives going on in Europe right now, and how they are being effective at reaching the lives of people whom the church has often found hard to reach.

 

At the instigation of OM, on whose varied and creative work this book is largely though not exclusively dependent, Meroff has travelled throughout Europe and has some fascinating stories to tell.  She has divided the book into four principal sections dealing with specific target groups: the marginalised, Muslims, children & youth and secular/nominal Christians.  A final section roots all this by focusing on partnering with the church.  Each section is introduced by a different well-known missional leader, and is full of useful statistics, thought-provoking stories and information about websites and books that are useful.  The book finishes with an appendix containing a massive index of agencies working in Europe.  If there’s an active agency in Europe, it’s probably in here.

 

The book carries commendations from Jiri Unger, George Verwer and Frank Hinkelmann and is an exciting and challenging read for anyone involved in European missions.  It is to be hoped that it will inspire more Christians to feel that there is hope for Europe and to become involved in the great task of re-evangelising this continent.