October 2022 Ministry Highlights
Warm greetings to you on behalf of the ACSI Europe Team! Praying that this email finds you well.
This serves as a brief update on two major events: the Student Leadership Conference, and the Romanian Christian School Leadership Conference. We want to thank you for your faithful prayers for these events, their speakers, and all the participants.
Student Leadership Conference - September 28-October 1, 2022
The Student Leadership Conference (SLC) held in Vajta, Hungary was the first live SLC after two years of online events, We were so blessed to meet in person again, and enjoy the sweet fellowship together. The worship, the plenary and workshop sessions, as well as the discussion groups make a much deeper impact as we see each other face to face.
We had a full house with close to 300 participants. Our theme for the conference is Steward Leadership as it applies to all areas of our lives. Our theme verse says a lot about it: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace (1 Peter 4:10)
A detailed schedule with speakers of this conference is still available on our conference web app at: https://acsieu.org/slc/
Here are a few quotes from the students about their time at SLC this year:
- I was challenged to think of my life in terms of what God wants me to be, not who I want to be.
- Before coming here I had quite a few questions and struggles about faith, I didn't really know what to do about it and I didn't really feel God's presence in my life. Here at SLC I have learned a lot about practical matters in the faith and my relationship with God has grown
- I was challenged to be more like Jesus so I can reflect Him to the people around me to bring more people closer to Him. Also I was challenged to not let my emotions ever lead my life, but God's Will and Word alone.
- I understand that God wants me to help serve others and build His kingdom, and that I am a part of God’s plan to help others know about Him.
- I have learned that in order to be a good leader I have to have strong foundations and principles that I live by that are straight up with God in order to lead how He wants me to lead.
- I came here with a group from school with some good friends, we've had some really deep, difficult conversations about faith and it's strengthened the bond between us. And I think we all got to feel some of God's presence, it was also impressive to talk to so many people from all over the world about the thing we all have in common, our faith in Jesus.
- I want to develop a mindset that is more focused on others and that has his mind set on God’s glory, instead of my own.Please see some pictures from this wonderful event below.
SLC location: Christian Conference Center in Vajta, Hungary
The room has quickly filled with the 300 participants
Paul Madsen, SLC director, opens the conference
Roslyn Barnes teaching a session for the chaperones
Worship is such an important part of the SLC program
Worship team
Discussion groups continue even after their scheduled sessions
Activity time. Praise the Lord for the beautiful weather!
Romanian Christian School Leadership Conference - October 20-22, 2022
This leadership conference took place with 30 participants at the beautiful site of Fundatia Emanuel in Valea Drăganului, about halfway between Oradea and Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The conference is the first live event for the Romanian school leaders after four years. We only met some of the leaders during these four year at the International Educational Leadership Conference.
The conference theme was “Inspiring School Improvement”. The ACSI team, Laci Demeter, Paul Madsen, Roslyn Barnes, Bert Vogel, Liviu Caprar and Liz Rauca served as speakers and discussion leaders on various topics that encouraged our kindergarten and school leaders to develop and strengthen a culture of school improvement in their school communities. We enjoyed worshipping and praying together, as well as hearing testimonials from all of the participants.
Please pray that this renewed vision for school improvement would help these schools and their communities become even stronger and better fulfilling their mission for God's Kingdom.
Conference site:
Fundatia Emanuel in Valea Drăganului, about halfway between Oradea and Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Liviu Caprar welcoming participants
Bert Vogel teaching and Geanina Gata translating
Praying in groups
Worship time with pastor Lucian Rauca and Paul Madsen
There is no event in Romania without singing!
Discussion time in groups of school levels
Conference Participants - facing the sun :-)
Thank you so much for your partnership and prayers,
Laci Demeter, Director, ACSI Europe Division
Please pray for the following upcoming events:
- October 24-26 - French school leaders conference
- November 5 - Romanian Teacher Conference in Caransebeș, Romania
- November 11 - Austrian Christian schools event
- November 12 - Finish Christian schools event
- Please continue to pray for an increased engagement of our member schools in using the new Christian School Improvement Platform for their benefit and growth
Posted: Oct. 24, 2022
Vocational Education Event Report 2024
It was a blessing to be with educators from five vocational schools to learn from each other ways that we can serve students who are gifted with more practical skills and abilities and may struggle with the academic setting.
4th Forum on Christian Education
The IV Christ-Centered Education Forum, held in Madrid under the theme “Strong Roots and Wings to Fly,” brought together educators, Christian leaders, and entrepreneurs focused on integrating faith into education. The forum provided a space to reflect on the challenges and opportunities of Christ-centered education in the country, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among institutions.
SLC report 2024
At SLC 2024, I recognized at this conference that my time abiding with God is one of the most formative and important parts of being a leader. I also saw myself realizing that I need to recognize my gifts in order to grow God's kingdom.
The Purpose of Education
The hope of Christ-centered education is not in education as the solution, but rather in Christ as the solution and in education as a process to knowing Him and engaging in His world.
