Central Europe Field - Pastors’ Retreat 2026

From 30 April to 3 May, pastors and leaders from across the Central Europe Field gathered in Šibenik, Croatia for the Central Europe Field Pastors Retreat 2026. Centered around the theme “Abide,” the retreat created intentional space for pastors and leaders to slow down, be refreshed, and simply be poured into.

Many serve across the field as ministers in smaller churches and communities, where ministry can sometimes feel lonely and exhausting. Throughout the retreat, pastors were encouraged through messages from David Graves (General Superintendent Emeritus) and Regional Director Mark Louw, who spoke about pruning and the important role it plays in the life of a minister.

“Our goal was not to give training to the pastors. Our goal was to create a space of pastors being ministered to,” shared Cezarina Glendenning, Central Europe Field Strategy Coordinator. “Since a lot of our pastors operate in smaller realities or smaller churches or districts, sometimes it can feel lonely and tiring. This was a time where they could rest, reconnect, and be renewed together.”

Join us in prayer for the Central Europe Field, for pastors and churches walking through difficult seasons, and for a new generation of leaders to emerge as God continues to guide new initiatives and ministries across the field.

----

You can watch a highlights video from the event here:

Everyday Eurasia | Relu Cristurean

30th District Assembly Highlights

On Saturday, November 15, the 30th District Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene was held in Sighișoara. The activities of the day were spread out over 4 sessions. 

1. The first session opened with worship, followed by reports from district officers and committees. District Superintendent Jonathan Phillips shared 8 milestones from the past year that have contributed to a healthier district, including new missionaries, new district leaders, new resources, and new initiatives, before identifying intentional discipleship as our emphasis for the coming year.

At the recent Eurasia Regional Conference, the Romania District received a "District of Excellence" certificate for giving to the World Evangelism Fund last year. At the district assembly, all 3 churches on the district were recognized as a "Church of Excellence" for their giving to the World Evangelism Fund either last year or this year. 

The session concluded with prayer for district leaders (district officers, those serving on various district boards, and missionaries):

2. After a short break, the second session began with a song reminding us of God's goodness.

Local ministry leaders shared updates from this past year:

3. After lunch and fellowship, participants were divided into small groups based on local church to discuss NDI's principles of discipleship during the third session.

4. The fourth session included music, special recognition of the youth present at the assembly, and guided prayer for various ministries, our communities, the country, and Nazarene leaders around the world. The assembly concluded with a message from John 15, delivered by district superintendent Jonathan Phillips, and celebration of the Lord's Supper. 

Everyday Eurasia Podcast | Monica Boseff

‘There Is MORE’: Eurasia Nazarenes Gather in Albania for Regional Conference

by Kristin Burchfiel, Eurasia Communications
Originally published at www.eurasiaregion.org/erc2025

Nearly 800 Nazarenes from across the Eurasia Region gathered in Tirana, Albania, November 4–8, for the first Eurasia Regional Conference since 2019. Under the theme ‘There Is MORE,’ pastors, leaders, missionaries, church members and their families came together for a time of inspirational worship, preaching, teaching, interactive fellowship, collaborative learning, and multicultural celebration of what God is doing across the region.

Participants represented a wide range of contexts, languages, and cultures, reflecting the diversity of the Church of the Nazarene throughout Eurasia.

The conference focused on six key Gaps, areas in which the Church seeks to grow in faithfulness and ministry effectiveness. These included: Engaging the Next Generation, Developing Leaders of Christian Character: Integrity and Anti-Corruption, Doing Church and Discipleship in a Digital Age, People on the Move: Caring for Immigrants and Refugees, Caring for Creation and the Vulnerable, and Responding to Secularism.

Plenary session speakers addressing these Gap topics included General Superintendents Filimão Chambo and Carla Sunberg; Global Missions Director Jim Ritchie; Eurasia Regional Director Mark Louw; Principal of Nazarene Theological College Deirdre Brower; Central Europe Field Strategy Coordinator Cezi Glendenning, and Eurasia Regional Discipleship Coordinator Chad Gibbons. Insights from several of these sessions are available now on the Everyday Eurasia Podcast.

Attendees also participated in collaborative breakout sessions designed to foster open discussion, cross-cultural collaboration, and the development of practical strategies for ministry in their local contexts.

A special Theology Day event on November 4 served as a stepping stone into the Gap discussions. Papers on each topic were presented, followed by panel conversations encouraging thoughtful engagement with the issues facing the church today.

Other highlights of the week include the ordination of one elder, prayers for those on the region unable to attend, the sharing of the Lord’s Supper, and celebrating the creativity, cultures, and community on the region through events hosted by Nazarene Youth International. These included Albania Night, the Eurasia World Market, a quiz night, and a talent show, all emphasizing the creativity, culture, and community of the Eurasia Region.

Following the conference, some participants remained in Tirana for Mission Experience Albania, a hands-on opportunity to serve alongside local pastors and church members through acts of service, compassion, and love in the community.

For many, the conference was a deeply spiritual time of renewal, reflection, and connection. The transforming work of the Holy Spirit was not only preached, but experienced. “It was a time of renewal and confirmation of the call of God, and to see old friends,” said Jennifer Lima, a participant from Portugal.

Regional Director, Dr. Mark Louw reflected, “It has surpassed our wildest expectations and our desire to experience the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit was realized. It was awesome worship, awesome fellowship, and awesome fun!”

He also concluded the conference by challenging participants to carry the momentum, learning, and inspiration from the gathering back to their local churches and ministries across the region.

Serving with Compassion in Romania: Andre and Brenda Berkhout

Originally published at eurasiaregion.org

Andre and Brenda Berkhout are currently serving as Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) coordinators in Romania. In this role, they are supporting local churches and organizations across the Romania District in their efforts to develop sustainable, compassionate ministries in their communities. The Berkhouts’ work involves everything from building partnerships to strengthening ministry efforts to facilitating communication between the regional NCM office and local ministries – all while integrating to the Romanian culture by learning the language and deepening their understanding of culture and history.

In Sighișoara, they are working closely with the Veritas Foundation, a NCM partner organization and Child Development Center with social services for children, teenagers, special needs adults, and the elderly. Alongside Veritas director Petra Popa, they’re addressing practical challenges like outdated systems, training for staff, and funding needs. Andre is using his background in music to help with Bible lessons for children, while Brenda is using her background as a mental healthcare professional to develop training materials and exploring how Veritas and the local Church of the Nazarene can work more closely together in mission.

In Bucharest, the Berkhouts are assisting the Open Door Foundation. This NCM partner organization ministers to survivors of human trafficking and is closely connected to the Blessing Church of the Nazarene. Andre and Brenda are focusing on updating the organization’s website, looking for new fundraising opportunities, and developing a newsletter to keep supporters updated.

“Since arriving in Romania just a few months ago, Andre and Brenda are been filling several gaps in the area of NCM. Their unique skill set is exactly what we need right now,” noted Romania District Superintendent Jonathan Phillips.

In addition to their work with NCM partner organizations, the Berkhouts have been involved in the local Nazarene congregations in both Sighișoara and Bucharest.

Andre is stepping into preaching opportunities in both congregations and has joined the team of musicians leading worship in Sighișoara. As NCM coordinators, they have been working on community assessments and interviews to get a clearer picture of the realities people are facing, and where the church can respond in meaningful, sustainable ways.

Brenda has also begun coaching several people who need help, offering her time freely to help them grow into the person God created them to be.

Together, Andre and Brenda have become aware of many young women on the streets of Romania who are caught in difficult and vulnerable circumstances. With support from their church in the Netherlands, they have started reaching out personally by giving small care bags that include a Romanian Bible, a snack, a soft toy, toiletries, and a flyer with helpful information for those seeking a new start. Through this simple act of kindness, they want these young women to know that they are seen, valued, and deeply loved by God.

“Giving is not about the gift, but about the love of Christ that lies behind it.” the Berkhouts commented.

Join us in prayer for Andre and Brenda as they continue learning, listening, and serving in Romania. Pray for wisdom and discernment as they navigate complex needs and long-term ministry hopes.

Romania - Local Church Sustainability Project

5 Romanians were ordained
at the 2022 District Assembly

This project partners with local Nazarene churches in Romania to provide up to five years of supplemental funding as they work toward long-term financial sustainability. Together with the pastor, church board, and district superintendent, each congregation develops a financial strategy that identifies current income, explores new income-generating opportunities, and outlines a clear plan to cover expenses.

The support begins by helping churches cover essential costs such as utilities and pastoral salary while they build their own resources. Over time, project funding decreases as local income grows—empowering churches to take greater responsibility year by year. In addition, project funds provide critical coverage for health insurance, income tax, and pension contributions, which otherwise place a heavy burden on pastors and their families.

Quarterly reporting ensures accountability and steady progress toward sustainability. By the end of the five-year period, each church will be equipped either to fully support a pastor or to establish a planned, part-time bi-vocational ministry model. Both outcomes strengthen the church’s stability and ability to minister effectively in its community.

Your gift invests in a thoughtful, practical strategy that provides immediate security for pastors and paves the way for healthy, self-sustaining churches in Romania for years to come.

Click here for more information and to make a donation: https://give.nazarene.org/donate/136785