Reformed Colloquium 2024: Dwelling in unity

‘Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!’ — Psalm 133:1

From 16–18 April, Westminster Seminary UK held a Reformed Colloquium in Budapest, Hungary. 

By God’s grace, this was the first event of its kind, bringing together pastors and theological educators in Eastern Europe to explore how Westminster could support the European Church in training men for gospel ministry.

Around 85 people from 17 countries attended, representing small Reformed congregations and several small Reformed seminaries across Europe. The programme included addresses from Peter Szabo, Ian Hamilton, Florian Weicken, Jon Payne, Jonathan Winch, Donald John Maclean, Victor D’Assonville and Andrea Ferrari, as well as a Q&A panel and regular opportunities for discussion and prayer. 

The addresses were of exceptional quality and very well received. It was particularly moving to hear men from Ukraine and Belarus, a closed dictatorship, speak honestly about their ongoing work of training the next generation of ministers in the midst of war and persecution. Jon Payne—senior pastor of Christ Church Presbyterian in Charleston, SC—urged us to stand firm in the face of the challenges that face the Church: “God’s people will never be more joyful or content than when they are prepared to give all for Christ.” 

Dr Ian Hamilton addresses the Reformed Colloquium

Many expressed their desire to attend another in 2025 which, God-willing, we hope to organise. “Friendship is a reflection of the doctrine of the Trinity—a demonstration of the reality of God’s trinitarian nature,” said Andrea Ferrari, a pastor in Italy. “We need an event like this at least once a year; two would be better.” 

One delegate told us, “There are people I know that would lap up this wisdom like a man dying of thirst who gets a taste of clear, cold water. Marvellous.” Another shared, “It was a thrill and an honor for me to worship and be in the presence of brothers in Christ. Thank you for all your hard work in organizing this meeting.”

Those who attended greatly valued the opportunity for fellowship, since many of them are quite isolated in their own country. “The mutual encouragement has been very strong,” said Derek, another delegate. “There’s a sense of unity of purpose: though people are scattered, there’s a realisation that we’re sharing the same task.” 

Alister Torrens, Kiev’s Seminary President, shared movingly about continuing to provide theological training and worship in war-torn Ukraine

Budapest Presbyterian Church provided an authentic Hungarian goulash for dinner on one of the evenings

Delegates at the Reformed Colloquium

There was also a large appetite for Reformed teaching, and 18 delegates enquired about studying at Westminster. We pray that this will translate into more men joining us to train for a lifetime of faithful and fruitful ministry.

Please join us in giving thanks to our gracious God for our time together, and asking Him to continue to build His Church throughout Europe and to the ends of the earth.

You can also access all the addresses from the Colloquium here.