CWM (Council for World Mission) Europe Assembly | Theme: "Revisioning Mission" | Utrecht, Netherlands | 28 June - 2 July 2026 | Hosted by the Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PCN)
Church leaders, theologians, young people and mission practitioners from across Europe gathered in Utrecht, Netherlands, from 28 June to 2 July 2026 for the Council for World Mission (CWM) Europe Assembly, hosted by the Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PCN) under the theme "Revisioning Mission."
Representatives from the Congregational Federation, Presbyterian Church of Wales, Union of Welsh Independents, United Reformed Church (URC), and the Protestant Church in the Netherlands reflected together on the future of Christian witness in a rapidly changing world marked by political polarisation, ecological crisis, migration, technological change, and the continuing legacy of colonialism and slavery.
Team URC included:
Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson (Ex-Moderator of the URC General Assembly and the CTE President)
Karen Campbell ( Head of Global & Intercultural Church | The United Reformed Church)
Stan Chatikobo (Youth Rep) & David Jonathan Director, GRASSROOTS Programme & Luton Council of Faiths
Opening the Assembly, the Protestant Church in the Netherlands welcomed participants with a reflection on Psalm 46, emphasising God's call to peace and reconciliation and noting that the Dutch translation of the phrase "Be still and know that I am God," can also mean "cease hostilities." This is an invitation for us all to actively engage in God's work of peace, justice, and renewal.
A highlight of the Assembly was the keynote address delivered by Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba, World Council of Churches Programme Director for Unity, Mission and Ecumenical Formation. In times of "hyper-complexity", she called on churches, not to view themselves as problem-solvers, but to listen humbly and deeply, acknowledge its historical complicity in injustices, and join the work already being undertaken by God's Spirit in the world, through renewal, repair, reordering, and recreation, and also using a transformative mission methodology of "restorying" that is rooted in listening to marginalised voices and restoring damaged relationships.
The second keynote speaker, Kathleen Ferrier, former Dutch parliamentarian and development practitioner, reflected on the Netherlands' ongoing journey of confronting its history of slavery and colonialism. She highlighted the importance of truth-telling, reconciliation, urging churches to play a leading role in healing historical wounds and promoting human dignity. She shared two profound healing moments in Netherlands; first, when Amsterdam's Mayor publicly apologised for the city's role in slavery, and secondly, when the Dutch King apologised, and asked forgiveness in 2023 for slavery.
Kathleen said that reparative justice should not focus only on financial compensation. People also want honest teaching of colonial history, recognition of systemic racism, practical efforts to achieve equality, and genuine listening and dialogue about what needs to be repaired. This should be done in our Churches as well as in our educational institutions.
Participants also engaged in mission exposure visits to a pioneering church and community café initiative and Amsterdam's Keti Koti festival marking the abolition of slavery in former Dutch colonies.
The Assembly acknowledged that in a world marked by division and uncertainty, mission in Europe must be guided
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.” (Zechariah 4:6)
The centre of global Christianity has shifted from Europe and the Global North to the Global South. Rather than viewing this as a loss, Europe should see it as an opportunity for renewal, not for the ‘renewed dominance’ but for ‘partnerships’ with the global South & East to tackle its contemporary challenges of colonial legacies, nationalism, migration debates, and ecological crises. The Church's future in Europe lies, not in power or dominance, but in joint participation in God's transforming work across the world.
Team URC at the CWM (Council for World Mission) Europe Assembly
L to R: Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson (Ex-Moderator of the URC General Assembly and the CTE President), Karen Campbell ( Head of Global & Intercultural Church | The United Reformed Church), Stan Chatikobo (Youth Rep) & David Jonathan Director, GRASSROOTS Programme & Luton Council of Faiths
Broken Chains - The National Slavery Monument as a beacon of remembrance. Since 2002, the Oosterpark in Amsterdam has been home to the first slavery monument on the European continent: the National Slavery Monument, designed and cast in bronze by Surinamese artist Erwin de Vries (1929–2018). It functions as both a site of remembrance and a festival location for the annual celebration of Keti Koti (Sranantongo for “broken chains”). For more info, pls visit https://www.rkd.nl/en/knowledge-publications/rkd-stories/broken-chains-the-national-slavery-monument-as-a-beacon-of
Broken Chains - The National Slavery Monument as a beacon of remembrance. Since 2002, the Oosterpark in Amsterdam has been home to the first slavery monument on the European continent: the National Slavery Monument, designed and cast in bronze by Surinamese artist Erwin de Vries (1929–2018). It functions as both a site of remembrance and a festival location for the annual celebration of Keti Koti (Sranantongo for “broken chains”). For more info, pls visit https://www.rkd.nl/en/knowledge-publications/rkd-stories/broken-chains-the-national-slavery-monument-as-a-beacon-of