EUROPEAN NEW STAFF TRAINING CAMP

ENSTC 2011!

2011-06-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the ENSTC blog, 2011 participants!

Are you excited for our 2 weeks together in Spain? I am! I mean, look at this beautiful scenery that we're going to see in person!

As you know, our 2 week training is going to be a bit different than what it has been in the past. Due to some circumstances outside of our control, we can no longer host pilgrims in the refuge. Because of this situation and because a major value of ENSTC is learning life-long principles, we will be walking on the Camino for 7 days instead of 3. This will allow us to interact with the pilgrims, which is our ministry during this training. What a perfect opportunity for us to continue walking by faith all the while, learning how to be flexible!

This is obviously different, and perhaps more challenging than previous years, but I find it exciting that we get to be the ones to participate on this new adventure as we see how God’s timing is perfect and see all that He has in store for us.

DATES

2011 ENSTC is going to take place from Sunday July 24th –arrival day- until Monday August 8th –departure day.

HOW TO ARRIVE THERE
If you drive, please look on the internet for directions about how to arrive to Ligonde, situated in the Spanish province of Lugo.

If you fly, please book your flight to Santiago de Compostela and we will pick you up there.

If you train, please try to book your ride to Lugo. If Lugo is not possible Santiago de Compostela is your second best option.

WHAT YOU HAVE TO BRING WITH YOU

Summer clothes (including a bathing suit, if you’d like)
Sweatshirt/ polair
A warm jacket (In Ligonde it can be quite cool in the morning & at night!
Sun hat
Sleeping bag
Socks for hiking
Good hiking shoes (not new ones; have them broken in beforehand! )
A medium-sized backpack big enough for a 3-day hike (about 40 liters)
Sleeping pad (inflatable or not)
Raincoat (perfect if it fits over your backpack) - PANCHOS (wind breaker?)
Towel (middle size, pretty light if possible for the hike)
Toiletries (gel-shampoo, deodorant, tooth brush,...)
Flip-flops (to wear in the shower & to put on after a day walking on the Camino)
Flashlight/ torch
Water bottle
Sunscreen
Bible & reading material
Sunglasses
A musical instrument (if you play)
European Social Security cards (health cards)

Excited to see you there!

ENSTC 2010 EDITION

2010-03-25T05:01:00.000-07:00

LEARN ABOUT THE WAY OF SAINT JAMES

2010-02-09T09:42:00.001-08:00

LEARN ABOUT THE WAY OF SAINT JAMES

LEARN ABOUT AGAPE'S REFUGE

2010 A VERY SPECIAL YEAR

2010-01-01T13:53:00.001-08:00

The second Holy Year of the 21^st century is to be celebrated in 2010. The Jubilee Year of Compostela has been celebrated since the Middle Ages, whenever the feast day of the Apostle Saint James, 25^th July, fell on a Sunday. The Jubilee usually takes place every 5, 6, and 11 years. The last three years in this cycle were 1993, 1999 and 2004 and the following ones will be in 2010 and 2021. The religious celebrations begin one year before in the evening of the 31^st December, and end on the same day one year after.

DATES

2010 ENSTC is going to take place from Sunday July 25th –arrival day- until Monday August 9th –departure day.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

New Staff in any of the different ministries of AGAPE.
Interns and STINTS
Key leaders in any of the different ministries of AGAPE.

HOW TO ARRIVE THERE

If you drive, please look in the Internet for directions about how to arrive to Ligonde, in the Spanish province of Lugo.

If you flight, please book your flight to Santiago de Compostela and we will pick you up there.

By train, please try to book your ride to Lugo. If Lugo is not possible Santiago de Compostela is your second best option.

WHAT YOU HAVE TO BRING WITH YOU

• Summer clothes including if you want bathing suit
• Sweatshirt and jacket for the evenings (it may be very cold)
• Raincoat
• Hat to wear the sun
• Sleeping bag
• Socks for hiking
• Good hiking shoes (if possible no new)
• A medium-sized backpack big enough for a two days hike (more or less 40 liters)
• Inflatable pillow and foam pad
• Towel
• Bathroom necessities
• Sandals for the shower
• Flashlight
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Bible
• A musical instrument, if you’re a musician

• Social Security credential (citizens of the European Union should ask their countries of origin for the necessary documentation in order to receive free health care in Spain).

• Medicine if you’re taking any

CHECK THE WEATHER

Click here to check the current weather in the area

PARTICIPANTS IN THE 2009 EDITION OF THE ENSTC

2009-12-01T02:17:00.001-08:00

TESTIMONIES FROM 2009 EDITION

2009-09-03T07:01:00.000-07:00

“In Spain I learned about Spiritual disciplines and how we can explain to pilgrims parables of Jesus Christ. For me the best time was when we walked 48 miles in three days. One day, I had an opportunity to be with God when I was alone. For me God through the Holy Spirit taught me patience which I had limited amount. It was also like being in an army where I need to be punctual. I learned how to cooperate with my friends. If they need help I have to help. I learned about relationships and friendships.”

“Spain project for me God will use, for example to fill step by step great commission. Spiritual discipline, patience and friendship. Yes, my life is changed, I have become more serious. I have become spiritually more powerful with Holy Spirit!” (Romans, Latvia)

“In Spain I learned to better initiate with non-christians and tell them parables in ways they can identify themselves in them. I remember one really good thought from Felix(staff in Spain), during a mentoring time he said, "We don't need to force somebody or desperately make him accept Jesus. Our task is to explain to him the gospel as clear as possible and let the Holy Spirit work in him". I learned a lot from leaders how they are leading and organizing all. I learned more how we can practically show unconditional love of God. I got many games from Melissa and Beate and Eva. I heard encouraging testimonies.

“I know Agape staff and organization's purposes better. I think now we together can do more. I will use these ideas in my youth group in Aluksne(hometown) and in my small group.” (Valdis, Latvia)

2009 EDITION

2009-01-27T03:36:00.001-08:00

DATES

2009 ENSTC is going to take place from July 26th –arrival day- until August 10th –departure day.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

New Staff in any of the different ministries of AGAPE.
Interns and STINTS
Key leaders in any of the different ministries of AGAPE.

HOW TO ARRIVE THERE

If you drive, please look in the Internet for directions about how to arrive to Ligonde, in the Spanish province of Lugo.

If you flight, please book your flight to Santiago de Compostela and we will pick you up there

• Social Security credential (citizens of the European Union should ask their countries of origin for the necessary documentation in order to receive free health care in Spain).

• Medicine if you’re taking any

CHECK THE WEATHER

Click here to check the current weather in the area

ELECTRICITY AND INTERNET

There is neither in the place nor in the nearby area Internet available.

Regarding electricity, please click here for information

WHAT TO EXPECT IN A TYPICAL DAY IN THE ENSTC

• Morning prayer –with different partners everyday-
• Breakfast
• Cleaning the camp
• Theoretical training
• Serving the pilgrims
• Lunch
• Mentoring time or personal working time or service time
• Spanish siesta
• Afternoon prayer
• Dinner with pilgrims
• Story telling
• Evening prayer

WATCH THE VIDEO

2009-01-27T02:00:00.000-08:00

Take a few minutes and watch the short video of the 2007 edition. You will have a good picture of what can you expect from this experience and will listen to some testimonies of participants.

2007 training edition

TESTIMONIES FROM PREVIOUS EDITIONS

2009-01-27T01:58:00.000-08:00

"The conference helped me appreciate that Agape is so much bigger and more varied than our national movements: I just loved sharing with people from all over Europe how they do go about their ministry. I also loved the diversity of what we did: receiving training, helping in the kitchen, serving the pilgrims and talking about the gospel, becoming pilgrims ourselves for a few days - not to forget eating great food, taking icy showers and having an awful lot of fun." (Andrea Wegener, Germany)

« But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. » Galatians 5:22-23

For two weeks, I attended training for new staff members of Agapé Europe, which remains the most significant experience of my summer. God really met me there, and I can say that I left very tired but profoundly renewed. We had a time of biblical and theological training and practical ministry centered on service. For the latter, we ran an inn, which daily welcomed pilgrims walking on the Way of St. James who were often searching spiritually. The goal of this training was not to make us acquire new skills that could serve us well for a time but instead to place us in conditions of daily life that were sometimes difficult in order to test and develop our character according to that of Christ. This will be useful to us in our ministry, certainly, but even more so in our life as a whole. After several weeks, I still see the impact of this concrete teaching in my everyday life and pray that the changes that God made in me will last throughout the months and years to come.

During this camp we spent three days hiking on the Way of St. James “to put ourselves in the shoes of a pilgrim” and discover what they experience in order to be more sensitive and to better welcome and serve them when they arrived at the inn. These three days were also set aside for a heart-to-heart with the Lord, notably during the first day when we had to walk 22 kms alone “in the desert” and seize the opportunity to listen attentively for the voice of God. The Lord profoundly touched my heart and I was able to experience moments of solitude and trials, but also see that God provides refreshing oases. This was quality time spent in His presence in the heart of His creation, during which I took many notes on what God was teaching me and on how much He was encouraging me to grow in the fullness of the Holy Spirit in order to bear good fruit and see the difference that makes in me and the blessing that can flow into the lives of others around me. God used the context of these two weeks to test and teach me about the trust that I place in Him and that I show toward those people God has placed in authority over me. (Natacha Zakine, France)

"The ENSTC 2007 was just great! Looking back it is one of the best experiences I was blessed with since I joined staff with Agape. Being with other young staff from all over Europe, living and learning with them about the character of God just opened my heart, gave me a greater view for our home continent and made me feel much more like an European that I ever thought I would. All in all - an experience you don't want to miss!" (Anselm Strehlke, Germany)

ENSTC is a great experience for individuals as well as families! My husband, Rick and I brought our 4 kids in tow ages 8 to15. I was reluctant at first thinking that the kids and I would be on the outside a bit of what was going on and thinking I would just be out in the countryside somewhere trying to entertain them all day. But that wasn't the case. We ALL fully participated in the camp and were with the new staff each day. We participated in the work teams, prayer times, sharing, cleaning, cooking, etc. It was a rich time for our family to experience ministry together and for our kids to know they are missionaries too! It was also great to expose them to top notch fun Christians. The strength of the camp is living in community with people from other cultures, personalities and points of view. It's not always easy, but is very rich. It is an excellent training ground for one and all to live out the Spirit filled life moment by moment and reap the rewards of walking side by side. I would highly recommend it! (Lisa Kellum, France)

I believe that God cares the most about our relationship with Him and our relationship with people. 2 weeks in Spain gave me an opportunity to go deeper in both of these areas. The walk through that path of piligrims in the mountains let us see His awesomness, bigness through the nature and shared stories in the evening, how this big God, creator is so personal and close in our lives. everyday work ( preparation of food, cleaning, listening of piligrims) let us to be touched by their lives, talk with them about Jesus, to die for our selves through sacrifice, and show love practicually. (Jolita Jankeliunaite, Lithuania)

Definitely, the ENSTC left tracks especially the pilgrimage. The tracks on my feet wither day by day. But there are also tracks in my life. I learned a lot: how to deal with an order that I considered senseless. How to deal with anger. For me, the NSTC was a hard time. Because God pointed to a part of my character, which I didn’t want to work on. When I went home, it took me a while to go through my experiences.

At the ENSTC my wife and I met a lot of agape staff from different countries. We had fun together and we served the pilgrims. The seminars were important to understand our ministry and our goals better. I’m really thankful for the ENSTC, even if a part had been a hard learning time for me. I know this sounds a little bit frightening. But God used this time to speak to me. He told me that there is a certain point where I can grow and that he will help me to grow into the person he wants me to be. (Ingmar Bartsch, Germany)

At ENTSC I met two kinds of people, those who need the Lord and don’t have Him (yet) in their lives, and those who do already have the Lord but need Him (unaware or not) to chisel out of their lives what was not necessary.

Watching and observing the pilgrims passing by or serving them, listening to their stories - gave me a deeper insight into God’s stubborn love for men. He is constantly reaching out for men to come to Him. And we at the camp had the privilege to be God’s hands and lips to the pilgrims. The ‘We’ were Agape workers, mostly new ones and a few long time staff who were organizing the camp. It did not matter though how short or long we had been with Agape, God had for each of us a personalized training plan during our two weeks there. The mentoring times I had everyday with the women allowed me to hear each of their individual stories, marvel at how God had been working in their lives and catch their passion for Him. But it also allowed me to see the changes that took place in some area of their character in the span of 14 days. And that is awesome. (Jing de Vries, Holland)

We can live Christianity as a religion or instead it can be a real life style and God can manifest himself through our way of living and doing. Ligonde and the ENSTC becomes a place and time in our lives in which God helps you to understand which one is the real meaning of Christian ministry. When we can help people to experience restoration in their lives and can be used by God to satisfied their need and help them to come closer to God. (Dr. Josep Cabedo, university professor, Spain)

The European New staff training was great! Lisa and I enjoyed accompanying our French new staff as well as interacting with the others. It was wonderful to be able to experience this project/camp as a family. We told our kids in advance that there’d be no children’s program, but that they’d be involved like everyone else cooking, cleaning, serving, learning, talking to pilgrims, etc.. They jumped right in and integrated well! A lot of emphasis during the project was on character building, not just on ministry skills. This played out well as we lived as a Christian community for 2 weeks with believers whom we didn’t know who were from 7 different cultures! It was a rich experience for us all! We learned so much during these 2 weeks: we learned about serving others, being humble, being content with what we have, accepting others just the way they are, about seeking His kingdom first, a bit about physical pain – just to name a few. (Rick Kellum, new staff training coordinator - Agapé France)

Our European New Staff Training aims to give new staff a balanced diet of training. To my pleasant surprise, when I actually participated in it I found that there was indeed time for formal and informal training, for reflection, evangelism and service. It's a heady mix which I won't ever forget. I have favourite parts:

* Service. Within two days I was able to identify staff whom I would love to have on any team I was in - by seeing how they served others. I have never thought of this way of selecting staff before!

* Mentoring. Appointments are arranged between each new staff member and senior staff who have been with Agape for a long time. This gave me a window into the soul of a number of some bright new staff who are coming into Agape at this stage. How encouraging!

* Evangelism. There aren't many places in Europe where you have a couple of hundred spiritually seeking people passing your front door (and often stopping) every day! The first pilgrim I met was an Egyptian working for a German radio station who was ready to talk for an hour and a half about spiritual issues in his heart.

* Facebook. I now have a lot more European friends than I thought I had!
(David Wilson, European Associated Director)

AGAPE'S REFUGE LA FUENTE DEL PEREGRINO

2009-01-27T01:37:00.000-08:00

Agape runs a shelter or refuge for pilgrims in a very strategic part of the Camino. Every day literally thousands of people pass by our refuge and we have the opportunity to serve and talk to them.

A few people -up to 20- stay overnight with us, share the experience of our small community and have the possibility to be exposed to the gospel.

The pilgrims we host share dinner and other activities with us and have a first hand experience of Christian hospitality

ENSTC TAKES PLACES IN AN UNIQUE CONTEXT, THE SAINT JAMES' WAY

2009-01-27T01:27:00.000-08:00

The Way of St. James – “Camino de Santiago”

History

The Way of St. James often known by its Spanish name, el Camino de Santiago, is the pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where legend has it that the remains of the apostle, Saint James the Great, are buried.

The Way of St. James has existed for over a thousand years. It was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during medieval times. It was considered one of three pilgrimages on which all sins could be forgiven; the others are the Via Francigena to Rome and the pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Legend holds that St. James’s remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain where they were buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela.

The Modern-Day Pilgrimage

Today tens of thousands of Christian pilgrims and other travelers set out each year from their front doorstep or popular starting points across Europe, to make their way to Santiago de Compostela. Most travel by foot, some by bicycle, and a few travel as some of their medieval counterparts did, on horseback or by donkey. In addition to people undertaking a religious pilgrimage, there are many travelers and hikers who walk the route for non-religious reasons: travel, sport, or simply the challenge of weeks of walking in a foreign land.

Pilgrims on the Way of St. James walk for weeks or months to visit the city of Santiago de Compostela. They can follow many routes (any path to Santiago is a pilgrim’s path) but the most popular route is the French Way or Camino Francés. The most common starting points on the Camino Francés are Saint-Jean-de-Port on the French side of the Pyrenees or Roncesvalles on the Spanish side. Some pilgrims start from even further away beginning their pilgrimage from the very doorstep of their homes just as their medieval counterparts did hundreds of years ago.

In Spain and southern France, hostels for pilgrims are scattered along the common routes providing overnight accommodation for recognized pilgrims, those who hold a credential. In Spain this type o accommodation is called a refugio or an albergue. These hostels may be run by the local parish, the local council, private owners, or pilgrim’s associations.

The Pilgrim’s Passport

Most pilgrims have a document called the credential. It is stamped with an official stamp of each town or refugio at which the pilgrim has stayed. It provides walking pilgrims with a record of where they ate or slept, but also serves as proof to the Pilgrim’s office in Santiago that they journey is accomplished according to an official route. The stamped credential is also necessary if the pilgrim wants to obtain a Compostela.

The Compostela

The Compostela is a certificate of accomplishment given to pilgrims on completing the Way. To earn the Compostela one needs to walk a minimum of 100 kilometers (cyclists mist cycle at least 200 km).

In medieval Catholicism, the “Compostela” counted as an act of indulgence. The bearer was entitled to a reduction by half of their time in purgatory, or, if the Compostela was obtained in a Holy Year, a full indulgence.

The Pilgrim office of Santiago awards more than 100,000 Compostela’s per year to pilgrims from over 100 countries.

Pilgrim’s Mass

A Pilgrim’s mass in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is held each day at noon for pilgrims. Pilgrims who received the Compostela the day before have their countries of origin and the starting point of their pilgrimage announced at the mass.

OBJECTIVES

2009-01-27T01:12:00.000-08:00

Sharing the Basic DNA of Agape Europe:

• Winning
• Building
• Sending
• Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Agape Europe wants you to know, understand and practice the basic principles that constitute our core DNA and provide the bases for our identity as a ministry.

Experiencing Community

For a few days Agape Europe wants you to live and experience a community made up of people from different ages, backgrounds, countries and life experiences that are united by a common faith in Jesus and the desire to help to fulfill the Great Commission.

Listening to and Experiencing the Lord

During these training days Agape Europe wants to provide you with as many opportunities as possible to listen to God and experience Him in manifold ways.

Serving others

Serving others is about reflecting Jesus’ character and for this reason Agape Europe wants to provide you with many opportunities to serve both Christians and non-Christians alike.

Learning Lifelong Ministry Principles

Agape Europe wants to share with you ministry principles that will accompany you during your entire life as a Christian. In the years to come you will have the opportunity to improve and master them.

Having Practical Ministry Experiences

In imitation of Christ Agape Europe wants this launching experience of training to take place in a context of real ministry that goes beyond a theoretical approach.

Networking with Other European Staff

Agape Europe considers networking people across the European ministries and countries a priority and this will be an added value to our training. You will have the opportunity to get to know and establish links with people from many countries.

Developing a Follow-Up Plan

Agape Europe considers this event to be a launching experience that is going to require clear follow-up. The ministry wants to be committed to you and help you to have your own follow-up plan.