By Michelle Norman
In September, five Cooperative Baptist Fellowship field personnel joined global Baptist leaders in Amman, Jordan, to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the European Baptist Federation (EBF). During the gathering, CBF Global Missions was recognized as one of EBF’s long-time strategic partners, honored for three decades of shared ministry and collaboration across Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia.
The European Baptist Federation brings together more than 50 Baptist unions and conventions representing over 800,000 Baptists in diverse contexts — from Western Europe to the Middle East and Central Asia. Since CBF’s earliest days, the Fellowship has worked alongside EBF to share the love of Christ through mission partnerships, theological education and advocacy for religious freedom.
Over the past 30 years, CBF Global Missions and EBF have joined efforts in a wide range of ministries. This includes support for the International Baptist Theological Study Centre (IBTS) in Amsterdam, which serves as a hub for theological education and leadership development for Baptists across the region. CBF also collaborates with the IBTS Learning Network, which connects ministers and educators for training and peer support.
Together, CBF and EBF have worked through the EBF Religious Freedom Commission and the Baptist World Alliance to advocate for human rights and religious liberty in regions where those freedoms are threatened.
The partnership has also taken tangible form in humanitarian and refugee response efforts. Through EBF’s Relief and Development Department, known as European Baptist Aid, CBF has supported local Baptist churches as they respond with compassion to displaced people from Syria, Ukraine and beyond. These ministries demonstrate how Baptists, when working together across borders, can offer hope and healing in Christ’s name.
During the anniversary celebration, EBF recognized its network of global mission partners, including CBF, International Ministries (American Baptist), BMS World Mission (United Kingdom), Canadian Baptist Ministries and the Baptist General Convention of Virginia. Each organization was commended for its commitment to global mission collaboration and for strengthening Baptist witness throughout the EBF region.
Representing CBF at the event were Matt and Michelle Norman, Senior Directors for Global Missions who also serve as field personnel in Spain; Gennady and Mina Podgaisky, CBF field personnel serving in Poland; and Tina Bailey, CBF field personnel serving in Austria. Their presence underscored the Fellowship’s ongoing commitment to living out the Great Commission through partnership, presence and shared mission.
As CBF and EBF continue to work together, their partnership stands as a vibrant example of the global Baptist family united in calling, compassion and cooperation. Together, they embody the hope that when Baptists across continents share their gifts and stand alongside one another, the Gospel continues to bring renewal and reconciliation to a changing world.