Reaching people where life is increasingly lived

Across Europe, mission is entering new spaces. Social media, gaming communities, online relationships and artificial intelligence are not simply communication tools anymore — they are environments in which millions of Europeans spend significant parts of their lives, form relationships, explore identity and ask questions about meaning and faith.

Digital Missions invites us to explore what faithful Christian presence and evangelism can look like in these emerging mission fields. Across three linked Hope Labs, we will move from understanding the changing digital landscape, through real examples of innovative digital mission, towards practical strategies that churches, Evangelical Alliances and mission organisations can develop together.

The three Hope Labs

1 · New mission fields — going where people are

Where are the new mission fields of Europe? We explore gaming communities, Discord, social platforms and other digital spaces where traditional mission structures often have little presence. Initiatives such as Un-dark demonstrate how Christians are experimenting with genuine presence and community inside gaming environments — including outreach among groups that are difficult to reach through conventional mission.

2 · Christian influencers — from audience to relationship

Social media has created a new generation of Christian communicators who reach people far beyond church structures. Together with Deborah van der Bij, a successful Christian influencer and on-site contributor, we will explore authenticity, storytelling, algorithms, personal witness and the opportunities — and pressures — that come with becoming a recognisable Christian voice online.

3 · AI and the future of digital mission

Artificial intelligence opens remarkable possibilities for multilingual evangelism, translation, content creation, research, accessibility and engagement. At the same time, it raises profound questions about truth, authenticity, privacy, human relationships and spiritual formation. We will explore how AI can serve rather than replace human mission, drawing on practical Christian principles of transparency, accountability, human dignity, privacy and discernment.

Throughout the Lab, participants will encounter real examples, practitioners and emerging models, while working together on a bigger question: How can the Evangelical movement in Europe move from simply using digital tools to intentionally entering digital spaces as mission fields?

For leaders of churches, Evangelical Alliances, mission organisations, digital ministries and networks · Three linked 90-minute sessions