European Baptist Federation Youth Ministry Training Research Report A report of the current youth leadership training opportunities and programs within the European Baptist Federation Submitted by Rev. Dr. Jeff Carter January 1, 2005 . Acknowledgem ents This research project could not been completed without the assistance of so many busy people who arranged schedules and interviews for me in several dozen countries throughout many locations in Europe and the Middle East. I indeed was privileged to meet so many capable leaders who work with young people within the family we love to call the European Baptist Federation. It was also an amazing privilege to have the opportunity to visit with general secretaries, presidents, youth secretaries, youth leaders and youth in their own ministry settings. It was an honor to be hosted in many homes of the leadership of these unions and to break bread with them and their families. At every turn I was treated with gracious respect and overwhelming hospitality which made this work altogether pleasurable and fascinating. I took part in youth meetings from Russia to Lebanon and I continue to be touched by the dedication of these young leaders who strive to reach out and give leadership to young people in their churches and communities. I want to thank the executive committee of the Youth and Children’s Committee of the European Baptist Federation for standing with me through this project and offering words of encouragement and positive criticism through each crucial phase. Special thanks to Christoph Haus chairman of the Youth Committee and his calm and decisive words. I would like to extend my gratitude to Terry Smith of Canadian Baptist Ministries, who was there from the inception of this project and who helped to draft the initial proposal for the project. I offer my gratitude to the partners in this endeavor as well who are invested in this project through their interest; To the Rev. Keith Jones. Rector of the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Prague and to Rev. Bruce Fawcett, of Acadia Divinity College in Nova Scotia, Canada. I want to thank the office staff of the European Baptist Federation office, in particular Gergana Atanassova who was so gracious to provide me with contact information when I was in my “detective” mode trying to track down names and addresses of so many people. Finally, I want to thank my wife Deann and my son Zachary who had to put up with more than one absence from the dinner table when dad was working on “his paper” or enduring my absences from family activities while I was away visiting various countries. Their love and support and encouragement are what have always given me strength because I know that they supported and believed in what I was doing. This report in reality is a celebration of what is being done to minister to almost 200,000 young people within the EBF family. Yet, this also is a major step forward to consider what more can be done and where we can go in the 21st Century to equip leaders to minister in this globalizing world. Jeff Carter Prague, Czech Republic November, 2004 2 . Table of Contents Acknowledgements.................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Table of Contents...................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Research Parameters ................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Albania ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Armenia...................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Austria ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Azerbaijan................................................................................................................................................................................ 13 Belarus...................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Belgium.................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Bosnia and Herzegovina........................................................................................................................................................ 19 Bulgaria.................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Croatia ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Czech Republic ....................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Denmark................................................................................................................................................................................... 29 Estonia...................................................................................................................................................................................... 32 Finland (Swedish Speaking)................................................................................................................................................. 35 France ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 37 Georgia..................................................................................................................................................................................... 40 Germany................................................................................................................................................................................... 42 Great Britain............................................................................................................................................................................ 46 Hungary.................................................................................................................................................................................... 49 Israel.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 52 Italy ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 54 Jordan........................................................................................................................................................................................ 57 Kazakhstan............................................................................................................................................................................... 59 Latvia........................................................................................................................................................................................ 62 Lebanon.................................................................................................................................................................................... 64 Lithuania .................................................................................................................................................................................. 67 Moldova ................................................................................................................................................................................... 69 Netherlands.............................................................................................................................................................................. 71 Norway..................................................................................................................................................................................... 74 Poland....................................................................................................................................................................................... 77 Portugal ...................................................................................................................................................................................