ECM’s vision is to see the peoples of Europe transformed in the name of Jesus Christ. This is our dream and aspiration and it motivates everything we do. Our purpose, or reason for being, is to glorify God by the planting and developing of reproducing churches that evangelize and disciple the peoples of Europe. Our identity as a mission is principally expressed through our Statement of Faith and our shared values. Other missions may share the same vision, even the same purpose, but the following shared values and distinctives establish the unique culture of ECM.
We value a life oriented to God, where courageous faith, prayer and the Bible are the basis of all we do as a mission. (UP) We are committed to integrity and mutual respect in our relationships, that we might be known for loving and caring for each other as we work towards our common vision. (IN) We believe in participating actively and creatively in God’s mission as we reach out to the peoples of Europe through the establishment of new communities of Jesus followers. (OUT) We are committed to working and learning together, as teams, fields and national sections, and through partnerships with others, in pursuit of our common purpose. (TOGETHER) These four values rest on ancient foundations, namely the four marks of the church as expressed in the Nicene Creed. These have been the core values of ECM since its inception in 1904. (https://www.ecmi-usa.org/our-values)
On January 1, 2016, the ministry of New Hope International became part of the family of ministries associated with the European Christian Mission International. Today, the more than 25 national workers of New Hope Bulgaria, New Hope Hungary, New Hope Romania and New Hope Ukraine, have joined hands with ECMI to bring hope to all of Europe. The New Hope office is now part of the office of ECMI-USA. For almost 20 years, Hank Paulson and New Hope workers smuggled Bibles and Christian literature into Eastern Europe. They also convened secret youth camps and training programs to strengthen the Church. After 1989, New Hope established ministries that would establish and strengthen the church in several former Communist countries, with each New Hope ministry registered in its own country as a non-profit organization.
In 2008 Dimitrie and Maria Todorov launched New Hope Bulgaria. Their ministry raises a new generation of children, youth and family ministry volunteers who reach their own communities with the love of God and make Disciples of Christ. Dimitrie and Maria and their Team work to empower others and invest their lives, energy and funds into a growing army of church volunteers who seek and save the lost by bringing the Gospel of Christ to every corner of Bulgaria and beyond.
As the New Hope Ukraine (established in 1995) Field Director, Roman Matviyiv, oversees eight full-time staff members, over 20 part-time staff and approximately 700 volunteers in most of the 25 region-states of Ukraine. Every year New Hope Ukraine team, led by Field Direcctorector, Roman Matviyiv reaches out to thousands of students, children, orphans and families using various kinds of programs. Oksana Savka, Roman’s sister, gives oversight and direction to the orphan care ministry of New Hope Ukraine. She trains, prepares and motivates Christian families to foster and adopt orphans in Ukraine. Her husband, Peter, not only assists New Hope Ukraine, but he also pastors a local church in Lviv.
Octavian (Tavi) Verlan coordinates the publishing activity and maintains relationships with the publishing houses and supporters. He also searches for new books that would be valuable for the churches in Romania and selects those to be translated and published. His wife Jeni is active in the ministriy as well.