In order to get a clear picture of women’s work in Europe, we need to have in mind the history and development of Christianity in Europe.

Division for more than 50 years between the countries in Western Europe and the communist countries in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as religious differences (countries dominated by the Roman Catholic Church, by Orthodox Churches or Lutheran Churches) have affected the development of work with women in Europe.

Western European countries have had organized women’s ministries for many years, but not necessarily connected with the Evangelical Alliance. Filia in Germany, The Intercessory Prayer Link in Belgium, Scotfest in Scotland and Femmes 2000 in France are organizing major events for women.

In 1992 Elisabeth Mittelstaedt, together with Ingrid Kern and other women leaders from Lausanne and AD 2000, established the Women in Leadership Track of Hope for Europe. It was and remains closely linked to EEA, but has a life that goes beyond the influence of EEA.
The Women in Leadership Track of Hope for Europe is organizing conferences every two years for women in leadership.

Ingrid Kern has been very influential in the Evangelical Alliance – related women’s ministries all over Europe. She has been the European representative in WEF CWC, which she chaired from 1992 to 1997. Under her influence Women’s Commissions were established in some of the former communist countries.

There are thriving Women’s Commissions in the following European countries: Bulgaria, Estonia, Germany, Serbia, Switzerland, Hungary. There are also contacts and groups that have potential to become Women’s Commissions. There are National Training Programs for Women in Bulgaria, Roumania and Russia.

The link with the EEA is especially important for eastern European countries and former Soviet Republics, where the now existing and newly founded Evangelical Alliances are a platform, a voice and support for any action to be taken.

At the General Assembly of the EEA in October 2004 a Women’s Working Group to EEA was established with the goal of creating a better platform for Christian women from the various countries, to unite them in fellowship and to help them work together with men for the completion of the Great Commission.

The Women in Leadership Track of Hope for Europe had their regular conference for Women in Leadership from 30th March to 2nd April 2005 in the Czech Republic. The last Saturday afternoon was an open rally for women from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

For 2006 a Hope for the Balkans conference is planned by the EEA from June 26 to 30 in Greece. A special time is scheduled in two following days for a Women’s meeting. We hope this to be a time for sharing and planning common activities of women’s ministries in the neighbouring countries (Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Turkey).

Our goal is to spread the vision for the different aspects of ministry of the Women’s Commission to more countries, where Women’s Commissions are not functioning as yet. There is a great need of Leadership Training and reaching younger women. Finances are a major problem for most of the activities. The need for finances is hindering the meetings of the Women’s Working Group. It is a problem for most women from the post communist countries to attend conferences and women’s meetings outside their countries as they are not able to pay for themselves and most need scholarships.

Our prayer is for God to help us, being part of Christ’s Body in Europe and united within the Evangelical Alliance, to work for strengthening the Church and the completion of the Great Commission in our continent and to the ends of the Earth