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I hope to be able to equip Christian politicians in the 33-member countries of the EEA to do their job as Christian politicians so that we together can do this. "Together we are stronger" is the motto of EEA, and I just love that!

Also I hope to be able to build strong relationships with Christian politicians in Brussels, so that they dare stand up for what they believe. And concerning other Christians and churches, I hope to be able to challenge them to lobby for legislation that is for the Christian lifestyle and fight against legislation that is not. They have a responsibility concerning this, but many churches and Christians do not act as if they do.

How much influence can European Evangelical Alliance realistically have at the EU?

If I succeed in the goals I've outlined, we can have a lot of influence. But we also need to pray, because only if the Lord is showing us where to focus and where to use our time primarily, we will be able to succeed. The task so overwhelming, so we really need the blessing of the Lord.

That is one of the reasons that I will participate in several prayer meetings around Brussels to meet Christian politicians and to pray with them for Europe.

In the Danish parliament, our small party of four members has had great influence in many cases because of relationship building and communication.

What do you say to the American evangelicals who wonder if evangelical Christianity in the so-called Old Europe is dead? Do you see any signs of hope among European evangelicals?

Well, I do not think that evangelicals in Europe are dead! I feel very alive!

I have been struggling in church. I have been struggling in media. And I have been struggling in parliament. So, I feel like the little fish going up the stream, very alive. And I feel that the evangelicals of Europe are like this fish.

European evangelicalism includes the state churches—of which some are dead or only culturally Christian, and of which some are very alive. Evangelicals also make up the free (or independent) churches. If they were not alive, they would not be there at all. Many evangelical free churches are very alive, and at the time being in Denmark, for example, they are uniting to become stronger.

European evangelicals are learning, and they are willing to learn. Recently several churches throughout Denmark participated in "40 Days of Purpose" with Rick Warren, and I think this was the case in other European countries too. Also we are learning from the Willow Creek Community Church model. Pastors from all around the world—including Africa and Asia—are coming to Europe to help us and strengthen us.

Copyright © 2005 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

The EEA's site has more information on the organization, on Videbaek, and on its response to recent E.U. actions.

Christianity Today's previous coverage of Christianity in Europe includes an examination of renewal in France and coverage of the E.U. constitution controversy.

In a 2003 Books & Culture article, Philip Jenkins examined Andrew Greeley's claims that Europe hasn't become so secularized as most people think.

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June (Web-only) 2005, Vol. 49