Goodwill Shana, a long-time pastor and evangelical leader from Zimbabwe, addressed 250 European evangelical leaders during the “Hope for Europe” gathering in Golem, Albania, emphasizing the importance of clinging to the Gospel in today’s turbulent times.
Speaking at the morning sessions of the event organized by the European Evangelical Alliance, Shana shared insights from his experience in Zimbabwe, where severe inflation has diminished hope among younger generations for a stable future. The country has also faced significant challenges stemming from the Covid pandemic.
Shana acknowledged that Europe is facing its own cultural upheaval, describing the current era as “turbulent, volatile, uncertain, complex, and fast-paced.” He highlighted the need for steadfastness amidst these challenges.
He referred to the ongoing transformation brought about by the rise of artificial intelligence, stating, “We’re navigating so many changes,” and noted that traditional societal anchors—such as family and legal structures—are no longer reliable.
Quoting Hebrews 6:19 and Matthew 24:3, Shana reminded attendees that those with a biblical perspective should not be caught off guard by extreme complexity in society. He posited that the true anchor in such times is the Gospel, using a nautical metaphor to suggest that in a storm, a captain relies on the anchor they already possess. “In the time of the storm, the captain is not trying to create an anchor, but releases it because they already have it in the boat,” he said.
Shana urged the audience to reflect on the foundations that European societies have depended on in recent decades and assess their effectiveness. He called on evangelical leaders in Europe to trust in the “anchor of the character and personality of God, the anchor of the promises of the Word of God, the anchor of the purpose of God for the church, and the anchor of the presence of God.”
Through a relationship with Christ, he encouraged leaders to explore how churches and Christian organizations can instill renewed hope throughout Europe.
The co-general secretaries of the European Evangelical Alliance, Jan Wessels and Connie Duarte, clarified that ‘Hope for Europe’ is a “gathering, not a conference.” They emphasized that addressing the current situation requires listening to diverse voices and experiences from evangelicals across the continent.
Participants engaged in regional discussion groups and presented various networks focused on areas such as childhood, mission, peace and reconciliation, freedom from trafficking, disability, and support for refugees. These networks aim to connect people and projects already active in the field, seeking to align existing resources from churches and organizations with community needs.
