As 300 YWAM leaders from 35 European nations gathered in Durrës, Albania, God deepened our connection to Him, to one another, and to His vision for our continent. The European Leaders Gathering (ELG) 2025, held every two years in the first week of February, serves as a vital time to build relationships, expand our vision of YWAM’s ministry, worship together, and seek God’s direction. These high-touch gatherings nourish us spiritually, relationally, and missionally, providing opportunities to form new partnerships, exchange ideas, and strengthen friendships.
Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by YWAM Albania, who shared their rich cultural heritage through traditional music, dance, and costumes. We then turned to the theme God had highlighted in preparation for this gathering: AGAIN—a word received during YWAM Together in Manila (September 2024).
AGAIN: A Call to Prayer
God is calling us to AGAIN embrace our identity as a prayer movement. He invites us to intercede for the nations, push back darkness through spiritual warfare, and declare His Kingdom. God moves where He is wanted, and throughout history, revival has been birthed from deep, travailing prayer.
Scripture shows us how God responded to the cries and groans of His people—Hannah’s bitter weeping, Nehemiah’s tears, and Elijah’s fervent prayers for rain (1 Kings 18). The Apostle Paul speaks of wordless groans in intercession, and Jesus Himself wrestled in prayer in Gethsemane. As we contend for revival, we recognize that prayers sown in tears often precede a mighty move of God, as seen in past awakenings like the Hebrides Revival.
We were deeply challenged to make prayer and intercession AGAIN central to our personal lives, teams, and ministries. The late Joy Dawson’s urgent call to our YWAM leaders resonated deeply: “Don’t in any way minimize the crucial importance of interceding for the nations! There is a lack/shortage of intercession for the nations. This is a prophetic word coming through me that there needs to be a resurgence of what was strong but has now become weak. Particularly in the lives of spiritual leaders. There is no substitute whatsoever for fervent, faith filled, focused prayer for the nations as I have taught it over the years. I know this is the word of the Lord like I know my own name. Some leaders think they are on the cutting edge but don’t make intercession for the nations at all. Until they do what they think is cutting edge is not cutting it with God. Two things: 1. Deep repentance on behalf of the spiritual leaders who once did have an effective, powerful, life of intercession for the nations. They need to repent for what they have not done. 2. For those that have never had the vision… they need to understand that it is a priority from God’s perspective even if they have not realized it before.” Her words remain a prophetic challenge for us today.
AGAIN: A Call to Prepare for Revival
As we see God stirring young people across Europe, we believe we are witnessing the early signs of revival. But are we preparing ourselves? Are we contending for this next generation? Repentance and reconciliation have historically paved the way for revival.
In 2 Kings 22, King Josiah led national repentance, tearing his robes in grief for his nation’s sins. How are we battling the strongholds in our nations? Are we stepping into new levels of spiritual authority like Elijah, who boldly confronted the prophets of Baal?
The story of Elijah and his servant in 1 Kings 18 was a powerful inspiration—after checking the sky seven times, the servant finally saw a cloud the size of a human fist. Can we hear the rumbling? Can we sense the coming rain?
We echoed the prayer of Billy Graham, who as a young theology student knelt at John Wesley’s bedside and cried, “Lord, do it AGAIN!” We are called to position ourselves for revival, anticipating a fresh move of God and preparing to serve the young people who will respond to His call.
AGAIN: A Call to Apostolic Pioneering
God is reminding us of our apostolic role—not merely to expand YWAM, but to unite and mobilize the Church in our nations. YWAM is not the ultimate goal; the Kingdom of God is.
Do we carry a vision for our nations? Just as Israel had to shed their slave mindset after leaving Egypt, we too must embrace bold, action-oriented faith that transforms realities.
Fear is often the greatest obstacle to apostolic initiatives. In YWAM, fear can also hinder the release of apostolic leaders—they need freedom, trust, and space to pioneer. We must create platforms for them, embracing a faith that does not reduce reality to our current experience.
Faith has the power to change realities. If revival is not a faith-based expectation, it becomes wishful thinking. Apostolic pioneering is faith in action—prophetic vision lived out in obedience.
Can we AGAIN create space for young leaders? Can we AGAIN take risks for the Kingdom?
God is reminding us that our calling is not in isolation. YWAM must remain deeply connected to the wider Body of Christ, promoting unity, renewal, mission vision and collaboration, and accountability at local, national, and global levels.
Some of the ELG 2025 sessions are available on the ELLC website. May we take what God has spoken to us and walk in faith, prayer, and obedience—AGAIN.