The CORe Criteria

All churches who participate in the CORe project try to provide a place where youth and young adults will feel comfortable. In order for this to happen a CORe church applies the following criteria or principles. CORe churches believe that the following criteria are essential to provide this comfortable yet challenging environment where youth and young adults will be able to discover and develop their faith.

A Place of Refuge

Welcome to the Church of Refuge website in Europe.

The Church of Refuge (CORe) initiative is aimed to assist local churches provide a meaningful ministry for Senior Youth and Young Adults. Come and explore the website and join other Adventist churches in providing a church where young adults can find a welcoming Refuge.

Refuge is a core Biblical principal and can be found in the provision of Cities of Refuge in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 19). These were places of protection, shelter, and long-term care. We want our churches to be the same today and the CORe network is an international initiative in making this a reality.          

Please look at all the features, resources and events. If there is a Church of Refuge in your country do take a visit - if not why not start one and join the network?

First CORe Training

Introducing a totally new church-based youth ministry initiative in the Trans-European Division.The Church of Refuge (CORe) programme assists local churches to provide a meaningful ministry for Senior Youth and young adults. Come to the first training event in Europe and join other Adventist Churches in providing a church where young adults can find a welcoming refuge.

Who Can Attend | This programme is designed as both an Exchange and a Training event. Pilot churches that have already begun using the CORe criteria will meet together to exchange experiences and move on further in their programme. Other churches, recommended by their Unions, can also send teams to begin the journey.

Who Should Come | This is a programme where teams are needed to work together – Three or four members representing the church leadership and youth membership of the church should make up the team. Applications (teams only) should be made via your Union Youth Director and will be then on an invitation basis.

Programme and Costs | We would ask teams to arrive in the evening of Thursday 11th March ready to commence the programme first thing on Friday 12th. There will be two and a half days of programming finishing at lunch time on Sunday 14th March. Each team is asked to pay their own travel costs. The dormitory accommodation and food are provided.

The programme will include |

• A background to Churches of Refuge
• A step by step introduction to the CORe criteria
• A CORe exchange featuring Pilot and new churches
• Launch of the CORe website and Resources
• Links to the International CORe network.

The accommodation will be at the newly refurbished dormitory at the church headquarters in Holland situated at Oud Zandbergen. (Nearby hotel accommodation can be arranged at individual expense.)

How To Get There | From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: Take a train from Schiphol to Amersfoort Station. At Amersfoort take bus number 56 to “Wijk bij Duurstede”. Get off the bus at bus stop “Prins Alexanderweg”. Across the street from the elderly home “Vredenoord” you will find the grounds of the union offices including the “Vormingscentrum”.

How To Apply | The application form can be downloaded from the link below. Applications due by February 28th 2010