Shortly after the falling down of the “Berlin Wall“ in Germany and the „Iron Curtain“ in Eastern Europe, several Christian initiatives took up the challenge of shaping Europe’s new future.
1994, after a “Round Table“ with several of these initiatives in Prague/Czech Rep., they decided to create an umbrella, which should function as framework for cooperative action. It was called “Hope for Europe”.
Under this umbrella and within this frame, networks began to take shape over the following years, stimulated by annual “Round Tables“.
Today “Hope for Europe” has around 20 of these networks, like Arts+, Media, Church, Healthcare, Business Cities, Disability, Freedom, Peace and Reconciliation etc. The purpose is to synergise locally, nationally, regionally.
1993 forty women in leadership from eastern and western Europe met in Linz/Austria. They decided to offer regularly an international and interdenominational women’s conference, to learn from each other and to encourage one another. Women in Leadership was the first “Hope for Europe” network and was convened by Elisabeth Mittelstaedt, founder and editor of “Lydia”, the christian magazin for women in German speaking countries.
You are invited to join us at Hope for Europe – Women in Leadership! Every second year we host a conference for Christian women from all over Europe – and sometimes beyond. We want to get to know you, encourage and empower you for and in your calling, your ministry and in your part of Europe.
Europe is a vibrant and dynamic continent with lots of languages, cultures and denominations. Our Christian heritage as a former Christian Continent is at stake and we want to help each other to do our best to reach out to people around us and to share the Gospel with them.
encourage and equip women to fulfil the purposes of God for their lives.
how God can use women in a variety of ways.
European women leaders to bring the transforming power of the Gospel to Europe and to every nation within it.
As Christian leaders in our respective countries and ministries, we came to learn, discuss and network with one another.
I was a bit nervous as I departed for my first Hope of Europe conference in Sarajevo…and came home very encouraged. I experienced a very passionate group of women in leadership, or co leadership, whose hearts are longing to share the gospel. This was very motivating. Good and significant work gets done by women - without much recognition by others. New connections were made and many resources shared; so I am very looking forward to how we can work and serve together in the future to equip women to walk more confidentially in their calling. I came home with joy and hope.
Dear friends! I am very grateful for this wonderful experience, a gift from God that I could never have dreamed of. Thank you for all the work you put into organising the conference and making it possible for me to attend! I received a lot of encouragement, especially from the personal conversations. I was deeply humbled by the kindness of Jesus that was communicated through all the wonderful women I met. So much love that I cannot describe. The Holy Spirit was with us! A truly blessed happening!
Thank you so much for all your hard work! It was an excellent conference, and it was such a blessing for me to be there! The prayer input was obvious! 
I loved meeting all these wonderful women from all over Europe and connecting with them! I very much appreciate you and all you do for us! God bless you as you serve Him, and hope to see you in two years!
Thank you for everything you have done for us. It was an inspiring conference. I was so tired when I came. But through your conference I relaxed.
The HfE WiL conference always happens at a time when there is a change of season in my life. I receive so much during these conferences. Thank you so much for your wonderful job! God bless you!
What a blessing this conference was to me! Among the ladies I enjoyed the diversity, uniqueness, unity and beauty of His Kingdom! Would love to be more involved in the future!
I am so encouraged by the whole experience. I came home with peace and a determination to continue the fight, relying on the promises of God who answers our prayers and continues to bring change, tranformation and healing in our lives, in the lives of our loved ones and in the lives of those we are called to serve. My only sadness is that it was too short. And that the next one is only 2 years away. But God has given me so many blessings and deep experiences of His love that I have rich food to digest for some time. 🙂 And many new friendships too! God bless you all, dear friends, with peace, strength and perseverance in Jesus Christ! Looking forward to meeting you again!"
Together, as women in leadership in Europe, we want to share the hope of Jesus for our world, and especially for our continent.
