ECM has been involved in spreading the gospel in Europe for more than a hundred years.
What began with one man's call has now become a mission involving hundreds of people. All across Europe.
The origins of European Christian Mission stretch back to the year 1904. A young man named Ganz Raud was called by God during an all night prayer meeting (in what is now Estonia) to reach Europe once more with the gospel. He began by travelling to Britain where he spoke everywhere about the need in the continent of Europe.
The 1905 Russian Revolution and the First World War forced Raud to leave for the United States. There he slowly built up a network of people who shared his vision and in 1920 the first office was opened in New York. Offices in Toronto and London were also established in the years that followed.
By 1923 there were 55 missionaries working for ECM in Europe. In 1927 that number had grown to 81 with 250 volunteers. After the Second World War an ECM office was opened in Paris. Raud died in 1953, but the organisation still continued to grow after his death.
European Christian Mission in Australia
An exerpt from This is Our Story 1904-1974.
12,000 miles away was the continent of Australia, potentially a a great missionary-sending and missionary-supporting nation. One Australian said of his fellow country-men: "Once they are aroused, they can not be stopped"
But who would go?
Ruby Oliphant was prepared in heart to respond to the call. A farewell meeting was·held on the 10th March, 1953, and on the 12th she travelled by ship from Tilbury en route for Sydney, Australia. She was a real pioneer. The Mission gave her £50, a few names and addresses, plus all the promises of God. So began the answer to our prayers for Mission centres in the Commonwealth. It should also be put on record that the Lord so wonderfully provided that it was not necessary to send any further money from England to Australia for Ruby Oliphant's support, or for the support of the work in that country.
European Christian Mission Internationally
Today ECM has over 300 workers in more than 20 different countries. These reach from Sweden to the sunny beaches of Spain. From developing Albania to the developed West. From big cities to rural communities. From centres of tourism to forgotten villages. ECM is involved everywhere in the mission which God began through Ganz Raud more than a hundred years ago.
If you would like to see Europe continue to be changed into a continent full of people who love Jesus then please join us through praying, giving or going.
