2013 PEF COMMITTEE CONFERENCE PRESS RELEASE

Surrounded by a magnificent natural scenery in Emmetten (Switzerland), some 100 participants, representing 26 Pentecostal movements in Europe and 28 countries, came together on March 6-8, 2013 on the occasion of the Annual Conference of the Committee of the Pentecostal European Fellowship (PEF).
The Committee includes official delegates of national movement-members of the PEF, associate members, leaders of PEF branches and other representatives of sister organizations. This conference is a unique gathering that promotes and develops mutual cooperation for the sake of God’s kingdom
in Europe.

During the opening session, Rev. Billy Wilson from the USA, introduced the “Empowered 21” global initiative.
The purpose of E21 is to encourage Pentecostals and Charismatics to celebrate their common heritage of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and pass it on to the new generation in view of the Great Commission (https://empowered21.com).

Various aspects related to the Conference Theme “Perspectives” were presented by different speakers: “Biblical Models of Leadership” (Max Schläpfer), “Intercultural Views” (Ingolf Ellssel), “Prophetic Leadership” (Pelle Hörnmark), “Leadership between Crises and God’s Provision” (Victor Pavlovski), followed by round tables.

This year’s Committee Conference was historical as it marked a transition in the leadership of PEF. Indeed, both Chairman Ingolf Ellssel and Vice-Chairman Max Schläpfer terminated their mandate after 12 years of faithful and diligent service for PEF. Both were duly honored and nominated Honorary members of the Presidium. Certificates of appreciation were also presented to outgoing members of the Presidium, namely Ioan Bochian, Jan Lacho and Agris Ozolinkevics.

During the Committee Business Meeting, the following new Officers were elected for the next three years: Arto Hämäläinen (Finland) as a new Chairman, Victor Pavlovski (Moldova) as new Vice-Chairman and Siegfried Tomazsewski (Germany) as new Treasurer. The new members of the Presidium (serving as regional representatives) are: Jan Eilert Aakre (Norway), Edwin Jung (Austria), and Peter Sleebos (The Netherlands).
Esko Matikainen (Finland) was confirmed as Secretary as well as the following regional representatives: Pelle Hörnmark (Sweden), Patrick Berthalon (France), Imre Pinter (Hungary), Giuseppe Piccolo (Italy), Lambis Sidiropoulos (Greece), Mikhailo Panochko (Ukraine, Mircea Demean (Romania), Damir Spoljaric (Croatia).

The Committee also welcomed 2 new Pentecostal movements in the PEF family: the Pentecostal Union of Russia and the Christian Evangelical Church in Italy (CCEI).
Another official communication was that Daniel Costanza, PEF Coordinator for the last 7 years, will continue to serve as PEF Executive Director by appointment of the Presidium.

During the same session, the Committee approved the various reports presented by different branches of PEF (PEM, PEFY, Social Ministries, Women, African Churches). For the first time, a group of children ministry leaders from across Europe met to start a European network in view of forming a new branch, PEF-Kids.

Special thanks go to our hosts, Rev. & Mrs. M. A. Schläpfer (SPM) and the Seeblick Hotel team for their warm reception and exceptional assistance to the participants.

The Conference ended with a Communion Service and a message by Marek Kaminski (Poland) in an atmosphere of joy, fellowship and worship (led by Dominique Bloom, Switzerland). Participants enjoyed times of refreshing in God’s presence and now look forward to next year’s Conference to be held on March 5-7, 2014 in Hannover (Germany) at the invitation of the BFP leadership.

(Conference Pictures and Speakers’ PP presentations on www.pef.eu)

Source: PEF Head Office, Brussels, Belgium