By TOM ESHLEMAN, LMC’S GLOBAL DELEGATE

International Missions Association (IMA) members from all over the world gathered in Medan, Indonesia in October 2023 for eight days of prayer, intercession, fasting, worship, and mission collaboration. The 2023 meetings began with the traditional role call of members from Africa, Asia, Central America, and the United States. When they called for Europe, the room fell silent. To the disappointment of the international assembly, there were no representatives from Europe! 

The absence of European partners initially elicited disappointment and frustration among IMA participants. As the group spent time together in prayer, this lament turned to vision and excitement. Perhaps the Holy Spirit was prompting IMA to go to Europe to intercede and connect with this continent that is close to God’s heart. 

A year later, twenty-five IMA participants, including representatives from EMM and LMC, arrived in Amsterdam for the 2024 European prayer drive. We began with three days of learning and praying under the leadership of EMM worker Bob Phillips. Then our group divided into teams of four, which were scattered across the continent to Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Berlin, and Cologne, Germany. We reassembled in Halle, Germany to share our experiences. 

What an amazing time of traveling and living together, praying and encountering the activity of God in Europe! We prayed prophetically, encouraged believers, and met passionate people leading renewal and awakening in Europe.

IMA prayer drive participants experienced a powerful kingdom reality in Europe. As Christ’s disciples, we are called to so much more than community for the sake of our personal fulfillment. Jesus calls us into a community banded together on the mission of God, in “communitas.” Together, we discover anew that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.