21 May 2025| St Albans, UK [David Neal]
Strategic decisions, a leadership appointment, financial oversight and some goodbyes were key highlights of the Trans-European Division (TED) Executive Committee Spring Meeting, held on 19 May at the Division office in St Albans, UK. Leaders and representatives from across the region reviewed the audited 2023 financial statement, discussed preparations for the upcoming General Conference (GC) session, and voted to appoint Dr Dan Serb as the new principal of Newbold College of Higher Education (NCHE), among other significant agenda items.
The Blessing of Increase
Nenad Jepuranovic, TED Treasurer, presented the audited financial statement for 2024. “With most Unions for 2023 showing an increase in tithe return,” he reported, “we not only give thanks to the Lord and the faithfulness of members, but also do not take it for granted, given some plateauing and even downward tithe trends in other parts of the world.” Union tithe return in local currency showed a 3.7% increase, and 2.3% when measured in the TED base currency (UK pound).
The tithe was used in the following manner: Appropriations to Unions and Entities (28%); reversions to Unions for evangelism (16%); appropriations to Newbold College of Higher Education (5%); operations, including meetings and site costs (19%); workers and travel expenses (24%); and other, including transfers and tithe exchanges (8%).
Although Working Capital and Liquidity dropped due to increased meeting expenses, including the quinquennial European Pastors’ Council, the Division’s finances are healthy, and the Working Capital and Liquidity levels are above the minimum required levels.
Noting that the General Conference will be revising its appropriation policy to Divisions between 2025 and 2030, Jepuranovic remarked, “We are, of course, hoping that the appropriations will not decrease, but at the same time we are putting our assets [referring to investments] to good use, working in the background to support the financial realities we can control.” He added, “We trust this sets a good example of faithful stewardship.”
Audit Review Committee Report
British Union President, Eglan Brooks, then presented a report from the TED Audit Review Committee, which had examined the Auditor’s Report from the General Conference Auditing Service (GCAS). Brooks noted on behalf of the committee that it was “a good and diligent report”, adding that the “Auditor’s opinion was unmodified, the Policy Compliance Report was standard, and the audit had not identified any significant internal control deficiencies or proposed any significant audit adjustments.”
Working Capital Increase
With the GC recently voting to increase its Working Capital and Liquidity requirement, Jepuranovic recommended that the TED likewise increase liquidity and working capital to 12 months. This is considered prudent in the context of global economic turbulence and also “because we are here to help Unions if crises come. We face a lot of uncertainties.”
One-off Distribution of Resources
From the financial challenges the TED has no control over, Jepuranovic offered some joy to gathered leaders with a plan to distribute “Excess Working Capital.” Using the following two slides to present this agenda item, he explained that this “unique and one-time opportunity” is due to the prudent and faithful management of TED resources over the last few years.
Explaining the proposed allocation during the 2025-2030 quinquennium, he shared that the distribution of the resources had been agreed upon through a consultation process with stakeholders representing unions, treasurers, and lay members.
Regarding the various allocations, Jepuranovic said that the Alive in Jesus Sabbath School Curriculum is a Bible-based program designed to nurture the faith of children and youth from birth to age 18. The Mission Refocus allocation refers to mission collaboration projects with the Middle East and North African Union Mission (MENA), recognising that the TED belongs to a global church, and wants to support the worldwide church in the most appropriate way. Funds for church planting will be available in addition to the existing funds provided through the Mission Board.
Given that the General Conference will place special emphasis on Digital and Media Evangelism in the 2025 – 2030 quinquennium, a fund is also being made available for Unions to apply for funding to develop this form of evangelism in their territory.
Sponsorship
TED Education Director Kayle de Waal provided an update on sponsoring tertiary students for the upcoming 2025/2026 academic year. “Highlights from the Sponsorship Committee for 2025/2026,” said de Waal, “include recognising the work of the chair, Nenad Jepuranovic, and key leaders Candy Layson and Emma Stickland.” Continued de Waal, “They provide outstanding service to ensure the committee functions efficiently.”
From September, the British Union Conference will sponsor 6 MA students at Newbold, with the Adriatic Union sponsoring two lecturers to embark on a PhD program. In addition, the programme will support 12 One Year in Mission students. “There are, of course,” concluded de Waal, “a number of other students who received sponsorship, and we wish them God’s rich blessings in their academic journey.”
Sandra Grice and Alan Redfern to leave GCAS
In a heartfelt and unexpected moment, Sandra Grice announced that after 17 rewarding years of service, her current five-year term as GCAS Associate Director and elected officer will conclude this July. Quoting, “The paradox of change is that it’s constant,” she reflected on the journey with gratitude, expressing what a privilege and honour it has been to serve the TED alongside colleagues from the Inter-European Division, Euro-Asia Division, Ukrainian Union of Churches, Southern Asia Division—including Bangladesh and Sri Lanka—Middle East and North Africa Union Mission, and the Israel Field.
“The highlight of my journey,” concluded Grice, “has been the deeply fulfilling interactions with so many dedicated individuals, as well as contributing to safeguarding the Church’s sacred resources, enhancing accountability, and upholding the integrity of those faithfully serving God’s mission.”
After 38 years of service for the denomination, and as the external auditor serving this Division, Alan Redfern announced that he would be retiring later this coming year. “Thanks to all the officers of entities within the TED for making my task so easy,” he said to the gathered leaders. “I have been pleased to travel around the Division territory (and beyond) and get to know such wonderful people. You will all be missed.” After his retirement, he will continue with GCAS, in the capacity of Training and Professional Development.
Noting his impending retirement, Grice commented, “Alan is an icon and a legend. In the GCAS team, we call him ‘Sir Alan’ because he exemplifies and epitomises quality, depth of knowledge, and top-notch skills. We thank him for his support, dedication, commitment, and leadership. He is our walking encyclopaedia, Chat GPT, AI (artificial intelligence) with the built-in capacity and intersection of the human mind.”
Sincere and heartfelt thanks to Alan. We wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.
Faithfulness is Success
The morning devotional, held in the adjacent St. Albans church and led by Vanesa Pizzuto, TED Associate Director for Communication and Media, hovered in the background over the day’s business.
With a reflection called “On Failure, Diatoms, and the Bones of Elisha,” Pizzuto challenged the modern obsession with success by offering a biblical perspective. Drawing on the surprising journey of mineral-rich Saharan dust—carrying the remains of microscopic diatoms across the ocean to fertilise the Amazon—and the story of Elisha’s bones bringing a man back to life (2 Kings 13:20–21), Pizzuto reminded attendees that even what appears dead or useless can serve a divine purpose. “God calls us to be faithful, and that is a mercy that removes the burden of success from our shoulders,” she concluded.
That message lingered as leaders moved through the day’s agenda in an ‘end-of-term’ atmosphere, mindful of the upcoming July General Conference Session. “In that light,” commented one participant, “Pizzuto’s devotional reframes the way we assess the TED 2022–2025 strategic mission goals: Extending Love, Growing Life-long Disciples, and Multiplying Communities. Do we measure success—or faithfulness—in how we’ve applied them?”
[Featured image & photos: David Neal, Attila Erdeg & Marcel Ghioalda]
What is the “TED Spring Meeting”?
The May Spring Meeting is one of the Trans-European Division Executive Committee’s twice-yearly business sessions, where leaders meet in person to ensure the organisation’s financial stewardship and operational health. In contrast, the November Year-End Meeting serves a different purpose, with its agenda focused on mission, governance, and policy.
