The old Communists have become "the ghosts of Christmas past". A stunning moment in history has been replaced by the new demi-gods of terror and Islam.

The Church is remembering her responsibilities, rediscovering her theology and taking her place in the new world. Christians are learning how to better understand their culture and articulate the message of hope to the world around them.

Discernment and wisdom are needed to be a prophetic witness of God to his world. This is not a time for withdrawal from society but of engagement.

Jesus prayed not that we should be taken out of the world but that we should be kept from the evil one. We do not promote either a separated pietism or an empty social gospel but the Evangelical faith as it has been taught and practiced throughout history.

We are working to restore confidence in God through a deeper understanding of His revealed Word, in historic biblical Christianity and in practical theology that demonstrates how the values of the Kingdom of God transform our everyday lives.

We need to be reminded often that eternity is a quality as well as a quantity. Central and Eastern Europe are in need of eternal hope.