Connect 2018

CONNECT is a life-changing week of intense interaction with God and each other. As leaders from across Europe gather to learn and grow, the goal of Connect is to encourage, empower and equip those involved in student ministry. From the committed student volunteer to long-term workers, we want to share the message of the gospel more effectively within the European university environment and our own unique local contexts. The week will include worship & prayer, seminars, workshops, evening meetings, sports & games, and time to build relationships in small groups. Childcare is also provided.

A few of the many topics that will be covered:

• How to strategically plan ministry for the school year
• Spiritual disciplines - learn about tools to help you grow spiritually
• How to lead a small group
• How to lead others into worship - even if you're not a musician
• How do we approach the different cultures on our campuses?
• Developing your organization for the next level
• Balancing ministry and family

Scroll down for information on seminars, location and answers to your frequently asked questions.

Reaching Today's Student

Instructor:  John Koeshall Jr.

**Strongly recommended for first time attendees or as a refresher for long-term workers.**

The purpose of this class is to present the primary method of Christ in order to change our university campuses. The goal of this course is how to apply the biblical principles of discipleship, which Jesus modeled with His disciples, to your own individual contexts and campuses.

Catching Fire

Instructors: Mark and Dalene Good

When the daily demands of life suck the oxygen from our spiritual sensitivity… when difficult seasons douse the flame of our faith...when we long for more than status quo spiritual maintenance – the Holy Spirit invites us to draw near and reignite our spiritual passion. Misunderstanding and uncomfortable past experiences can hinder us from pursuing the "forgotten God", the Counselor and Guide Jesus gave to shape and walk with us. Journey with us this week as we:  1) discover the Holy Spirit's pivotal role, 2) learn to partner with Him in prayer and in seeing practical evidences of His power, and 3) allow Him to renew and saturate us. "Every once in a while, God brings us to a crossroads...we either go toward a useless Christian life, or we become more and more on fire, giving our utmost for His highest..." – Oswald Chambers

The Psalms and the Christian Life

Instructor: Jason M.

This course will look at the Psalms from a variety of angles. We will see the Psalms in their Old Testament, Hebrew context and look at the importance of the Psalms in the New Testament and early Church. This course will then look at the Psalms today and how they are important and useful for our Christian life today.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 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. This means 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 4 August until the morning of the 11 August. Priority for extra days will be given to some Connect staff who will be asked to arrive a day early to 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, August 4, and ending with breakfast on Saturday, August 11. 

Full-time Students - €224

Non-students/children & youth workers - €255

Children (11-17) - €204;    Children (3-10) - €179;    Children under 3 are free.

Registration Prices for Connect increase on July 1, 2018 by 25 EUR.

Registration closes on July 15, 2018.

Cancellation Policy

**IMPORTANT**
PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATIONS ARE NOT CONFIRMED UNTIL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED IN FULL. Any registrations cancelled before July 15 may be refunded minus a €50 cancellation fee. After July 15, refunds may only be granted on a case by case basis. Please contact us directly if you would like to transfer your registration to another participant. 

How can I pay?

The preferred method of payment is by bank transfer:

Name: SFC-Europe, Chaussée de Waterloo, 45, 1640 Rhode-St.-Genèse, Belgium

Bank: ING Louvain-la-Neuve, Rue des Wallons, 2, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Account number: 363-0350235-08

IBAN (International Banking Number): BE63 3630 3502 3508

Code BIC (Swift): BBRUBEBB

If bank transfer is not possible, we accept payments through Paypal 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 - Class   

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 wifi?

Yes. Free wifi 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 go 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. There are ATM machines in the village close to the conference center, and there will be 1­2 chances during the week to catch a ride to use those, if needed.

What types of things should I bring?

Please bring a Bible, notebook, and pen (or their electronic equivalent). 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, and cash for snacks, swimming, and laundry service.

Do I need to bring sheets or towels?

You may bring your own towels and single-­sized bedding or rent these from the facility for a small fee.

How do I get from the train station to the conference center?

For those traveling by train either from the airport or another city, please check www.bahn.de for connection instructions. Use “Hohegrete” as your destination. Directional signs will be posted at the train stop.

How do I get to the conference center by car?

We recommend using your favorite GPS or online map service for directions. The signs for Hohegrete are visible from the main road, Prachter Straße. Or if you prefer, you may use the following directions:

From Köln – via A3 – Direction Bonn/ Frankfurt

A560 Direction Hennef, this becomes Highway 8. Turn Left onto the L267(Wölmersen Weg) towards Wölmersen / Au. After leaving Weißenbrüchen the road will be called Altenkirchener Str. Turn Left at the signs for Hohegrete on to Grubenstraße. Follow the local signs.

From the A4 – Highway 256 towards Waldbröl / Au. Turn Left on the L267 (Prachter Straße) and follow the signs up to Hohegrete.

From the A45 – At Siegen follow Highway 62 through the valley to Hamm. Turn Left on the L267 (Prachter Straße) and follow the signs up to Hohegrete.

Will there be translation into other languages?

Yes! 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. Worship will branch into different languages as well. While English is a common European trade medium, it’s unifying to gather together and hear God worshipped in every language!

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 (swimming, walks, brief trips to the village, resting, etc). (Parents, please note there is no childcare provided during free time.)