What is CONNECT?

CONNECT is a life-­changing week of intense interaction with God and each other, as leaders and students from across Europe gather together to learn and grow. The goal of Connect is to encourage and equip those involved in university student ministry at any level, so that we can share the message of the gospel more effectively within the university environment and our own local contexts. The week will include worship and prayer, seminars, workshops, evening meetings, sports and games, and time to build relationships in small groups.

Who can come to the conference?

CONNECT is for all those involved in reaching students in the university context in Europe, including short- or long-­term workers, student leaders, church volunteers, and others who have a passion to reach students with the good news of Jesus Christ. We believe that as we share our knowledge and resources and encourage one another, we will be more effective in reaching students with the message of Jesus in our diverse local environments.

Can I come for part of the time?

CONNECT is designed to give in-­depth training, with opportunities for building relationship with God and others through the various activities, services, small groups, and workshops. Participants are STRONGLY encouraged to make plans to attend ALL of CONNECT because team ­building and small­ group dynamics depend on full participation.

Can I come early or stay late?

The conference center is reserved for our group from the evening of 27 July until the morning of 3 August. Priority for early arrivals is reserved and limited to Connect planning staff and other workers who will be needed for set up. If you need to arrive early, please contact us at info@sfceurope.org so that we can ensure there is room for you before reserving an extra night on the registration form.

How much does Connect cost?

Prices for Connect cover rooms and meals beginning with the evening meal on Saturday, 27 July, and ending with breakfast on Saturday, 3 August. 

Full-time Students - €270

Non-students/children & youth workers - €350

Youth (11-17) - €250;    Children (3-10) - €250;    Children under 3 - €50. (Youth & children tickets are available for the families of ministry leaders in attendance.)

Registration Prices for Connect increase on 16 June 2024 by 25 EUR per person.

Registration closes on 30 June 2024.

Cancellation Policy

**IMPORTANT**
PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATIONS ARE NOT CONFIRMED UNTIL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED IN FULL. DEADLINE FOR FULL PAYMENT IS 30 June 2024. Any registrations cancelled before this date may be refunded minus a €50 cancellation fee. After 30 June, refunds may only be granted on a case by case basis. Please contact us directly if you would like more information or to transfer your registration to another participant. 

How can I pay?

The preferred method of payment is a bank transfer using the information below:

Name:
SFC-Europe
Rue Hugo d’Oignies, 34
5100 NAMUR, Belgium

Bank:
Frei Kirchen Bank SPAR - und Kreditbank (SKB)
Evangelisch - Freikirchlicher Gemeinden eG Friedberger Strasse 101 61350 Bad Homburg v. d. Höhe

Account number (in Germany): 17915 08
IBAN (International Banking Number): DE26 5009 2100 0001 7915 08
Code BIC (Swift): GENODE51BH2

If bank transfer is not possible, contact us at info@sfceurope.org.

What is the daily schedule?

Here is a tentative daily schedule:

8:00 - 8:50 - Breakfast

9:00 - 9:20 - Morning Gathering

9:30 - 12:00 - Seminar  

12:00 - 13:00 - Lunch

13:00 - 14:45 - Free time

14:45 - 15:00 - Coffee & Cookies

15:00 - 16:30 - Workshops

16:30 - 18:00 - Small Groups/Staff Meeting

18:00 - 19:00 - Dinner

19:30  - Evening Encounter (Children's program ends 21:30)

Can I sign up for more than one seminar?

Sorry, no. Participants follow their selected seminar every morning for 6 days, resulting in 10+ hours of in­-depth instruction and guided interaction.

How do I sign up for workshops?

There will be descriptions and sign-­up sheets for the workshops during on-site registration.

What is the lodging situation like?

This year’s CONNECT will be held at a Christian conference center. Most of the rooms have private bathrooms, although there are a few dorm­-style rooms with hall bathrooms. Room sizes vary between 2 and 6 people.

Is there Wi-Fi?

Yes. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby of the main building.

Can I room with my friend(s)?

Yes, you may mention the name of your preferred roommate in the comments section of the registration form. We will try our best to accommodate you, but please understand that there may be other circumstances that limit our ability to honor every request.

How will the meals work?

Meals are self­-serve buffet style in the cafeteria. The meals reflect the German culture of our host country, with the main meal of the day being lunchtime, and dinner being a light meal. Breakfast is often cold cuts, cheeses, bread, yogurt and muesli. Lunchtimes are hot meals with a variety of German and some international offerings. Dinner is often cold cuts, cheeses, bread and soup or salad. If the timing of the meals or type of food does not suit your needs or culture, you may want to plan on bringing snacks with you.

Is there a snack bar, café, store or chance to buy food and other supplies while at the conference?

The conference center does sell some snacks (ice cream, beverages, crackers, candy), but there is not a snack bar or café. There will be a few opportunities during the afternoon free time to catch a ride to the town nearby and go to a store or bank.

Is there an ATM at the conference center?

No, so please come with some cash in hand. We are working on an online banking app payment option, but as of right now, you will need CASH for towels/bedding rental, snacks, ice cream, swimming and laundry. There are ATM machines in the village close to the conference center, and there will be free time during the week to catch a ride to use those, if needed.

What should I bring?

Please bring something to share from your country for our TASTE OF THE NATIONS snack breaks. (2 packs of something salty or sweet would be very helpful so we don’t run out.) Also, please bring a Bible, notebook, and pen (or their electronic equivalent), and a personal mug for our coffee/tea breaks. (Connect mugs will be available for purchase until supplies run out.)

Dress is casual. You may want to prepare for rainy weather and cool temperatures at night. Don’t forget appropriate clothing for sports and swimming, towels/bedding (or cash to rent them), personal toiletries (including soap/shampoo, etc), washcloths, electric fans, and also cash for snacks, swimming, or laundry service. Other items you may wish to bring may include favorite group board games, musical instruments, toys and other items for children, etc. 

Parents of babies and toddlers: Please make sure to send everything they will need in a diaper bag (diapers, wipes, cups, bottle, special toys, blankies, extra clothing), and please label everything with child’s name (including strollers, baby carriers, etc). (Baby bed rental does not include sheets.)

Parents of grade children: Please send them each day with a water bottle & change of clothes (clearly labeled with their name). Please apply sunscreen to your child before dropping them off. We will be going outside. If they have a special toy, feel free to bring it, but please label it.

Do I need to bring sheets or towels?

You may bring your own towels and single-­sized bedding or rent these from the facility. The prices are +/- 7.50 € for bed linens (fitted sheet, duvet cover, and pillowcase) and +/-5€ for a set of towels. Baby bed rental does not include sheets.

How do I get to the conference center by train?

For those traveling by train either from the airport or another city, please check www.bahn.de for connection instructions. The train station from Cologne and Siegen is Au/Sieg*. If necessary, change trains to Hohegrete stop. The Hohegrete stop is about 450 meters away from the Hohegrete site.

(*In Au/Sieg there are also taxis at the train station - 5 to 10 minutes by car to Hohegrete: Taxi Thomas)

From Hohegrete station, take the footpath in either direction to get to the conference center:

a) follow the path to the left. The first turn to the right. Follow the path uphill. Keep left at the end of the street and cross the street to get to the Hohegrete site. Walk through the Hohegrete site to the round reception building or following the signs for SFC’s registration.

b) follow the path to the right. At the end, cross the main road to the left to get to the Hohegrete site. Walk up the path to the building complex. Walk along the building complex to the right until you reach the round reception building or following the signs for SFC’s registration.

Please see https://haus-hohegrete.de/Ihr-Weg-zu-uns/ for more information.

How do I get to the conference center by car?

Bibel- und Erholungsheim

Hohegrete MAT GmbH

57589 Pracht

We recommend using your favorite GPS or online map service for directions. The signs for Hohegrete are visible from the main road, Prachter Straße. Alternatively, Grubenstrasse may be used as the destination for navigation devices.

Please see https://haus-hohegrete.de/Ihr-Weg-zu-uns/ for more information.

Will there be translation into other languages?

We will try to the best of our ability to accommodate anyone needing interpretation in conjunction with national leaders. Please note in your registration that you would like translation and the language you prefer. Headsets provide translation for the main meetings, with personal translators filling in in other situations when possible.

Will there be any free time?

Yes! Afternoon free time is an opportunity to join in organized sports (i.e. ultimate frisbee, football, etc) or individual/family activities, such as swimming, walks, brief trips to the village, resting, etc. Parents, please note there is no childcare provided during free time.

Contact info during Connect:

Phone: +32 497 46 16 65

Email: info@sfceurope.org