The European Christian Political Party (ECPP) partnered with its member party ChristenUnie to organize a two-day congress ‘Believe. Dare. Do’ aimed at encouraging ChristenUnie politicians and government executives in their roles, informing them about the ECPP and the European Union’s (EU) institutional structure, and training them on how to engage effectively with these institutions. The event, held in Garderen, the Netherlands, gathered around 200 participants.
The congress opened on Friday evening with a welcome by mayor Andries Bouwman, who emphasized the event as a unique opportunity for networking and exchanging best practices among politicians and office holders across all levels—local, regional, national, and European. He underlined that the congress seeks to provide practical tools for translating the Christian concepts of peace and justice into policy, and to spread a hopeful message to societies in need of encouragement.
In her keynote address, MP and party leader Mirjam Bikker offered words of encouragement, reminding attendees that Christian faith is the foundation of their public service. She acknowledged the rise of populism, which offers simplistic answers to complex questions, and called for courage to stand for justice and hope. “When you choose connection over the easy answer, you make a difference,” she said. “We are not just Christian policymakers. We are Christians called to govern.” Bikker concluded with a reference to Luke 4 verses 18-19 (NIV):
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
She urged the audience to stand in prayer and action for those oppressed by regimes that make injustice their policy.
Behavioural scientist, author, and public speaker Ben Tiggelaar shared valuable insights on behavioural change, asserting that the aim of public policy is to influence behaviour. Often, solutions are available, but the challenge lies in implementing them. According to Tiggelaar, behaviour is shaped by three factors: motivation, capacity, and environment. He encouraged adopting a learning-oriented approach, where progress—even without achieving the original goal—is valuable. He warned against focusing solely on performance outcomes and stressed the importance of taking small, realistic steps. “The feeling of progress is essential to achieving big things over time,” he concluded.
ECPP President Valeriu Ghilețchi congratulated ChristenUnie on its 25th anniversary and reminded participants that just two years after its founding, ChristenUnie leaders helped establish what would become the ECPP in Lakitelek, Hungary. In his speech, Ghilețchi officially announced the party’s new name: the European Christian Political Party (ECPP) , reflecting its mission more clearly. He praised the longstanding partnership between ECPP and ChristenUnie. Despite electoral challenges, he affirmed ChristenUnie’s influence remains strong, highlighting the party’s valuable role in government as an openly Christian political force. Ghilețchi concluded by asserting the presence of Christians in politics is essential, especially in times when truth and moral values are under pressure. “Europe needs leaders who are not only competent but also deeply rooted in the values that sustain societies: justice, mercy, and freedom,” he said.
On Saturday, the second day of the congress, ECPP Events Officer Adriana Rus led a workshop for ChristenUnie’s local and regional representatives, introducing them to the ECPP, the EU, its legislative processes, and funding programs. She explained the distinction between European political parties and parliamentary groups. She emphasized the coalition nature of ECPP, bringing together Christian parties from various nations and denominations noting that ECPP MEPs represent ChristenUnie even if ChristenUnie has no direct MEP at the time. At its core, the “C” for Christian remains central. ECPP’s seven focus areas include: human dignity, healthy families, relational economics, freedom, security and stability, honouring the Christian roots of the EU, and reforming the EU. Its motto ‘Elevate. Empower. Engage.’ reflects the mission of ECPP to elevate the voices of its members because Christian voices are often set aside at the EU level, and to empower them to have an impact. “As a small party, we need to stick together and learn from each other to make that impact,” she asserted.
Rus provided an overview of the EU institutions—the European Commission, Parliament, and Council—and explained the Ordinary Legislative Procedure, where the Commission proposes legislation and both Parliament and the Council act as co-legislators. She stressed the relevance of EU decisions for national and local governments, especially regarding laws and funding.
To illustrate the European Parliament’s impact, ECPP Secretary General Maarten van de Fliert recounted his experience with former CU MEP Peter van Dalen. He shared how van Dalen’s resolution to free Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian facing a death sentence, gained traction and ultimately influenced international diplomacy. The resolution process in the Parliament, van de Fliert explained, is complex. Negotiating on the content and wording of resolutions and finding majorities among the political groups in the European Parliament are challenging aspects of the procedure, but the outcome can be powerful. Once passed, such resolutions can exert pressure on governments and prompt real-world change.
Rus concluded the workshop by discussing EU funding programs such as NextGenerationEU and Horizon Europe, which support policy areas like innovation, the environment, and social cohesion. She explained how local governments can apply for these programs and submit proposals. The session offered practical tools to help bridge the gap between EU institutions and local policymakers.
Another workshop led by marketing and communication expert Igor Mateski explored how Christians can communicate effectively in politics without compromising their values. He emphasized the importance of strategy—aligning timing, tone, and context to deliver impactful, redemptive messages that win hearts, not just arguments. Using the Gospel as a model for the hero’s journey, he showed how storytelling can connect deeply with audiences. He introduced key tools like AIDA and PASTA to structure messages, and stressed understanding both your audience and your own identity to create message-to-market fit.
Mateski highlighted the emotional process people go through when accepting new ideas, and the need to adapt messages accordingly. He urged constant testing and feedback, warning against common communication pitfalls like being irrelevant or overconfident. The core message: combine strategy with soul—speak wisely, listen well, and always communicate with purpose and empathy.
