Matt Vandeleest, lead pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Warwick, Rhode Island, traveled to Europe twice in 2024 to assess the state of Christianity.
His first trip in February was to Ireland, where he collaborated with evangelists Andy and Rachel Millar. In November, Vandeleest joined nine other New England pastors on a mission-focused “vision tour” of the UK and Ireland, led by Sam Taylor of the Baptist Churches of New England (BCNE).
Europe’s spiritual challenges
The tour highlighted Europe’s spiritual challenges, with visits to London, Glasgow and Ireland revealing post-Christian trends and dwindling evangelical influence. Historical church sites underscored Christianity’s past vibrancy, contrasting with its current decline.
Kevin Fortier, another participating pastor of Emmaus Church, Manchester, New Hampshire, described the UK as a “spiritual desert” compared to New England. Taylor emphasized the importance of the Great Commission for revitalizing churches, noting Europe’s unique need for first-generation evangelical efforts amidst pervasive secularism.
To read full story, click here.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Dan Nicholas and originally published by Baptist Churches of New England.
