“The things to come” – Christian mission in the midst of apocalyptic imagination, politicized communication, and ideologized algorithms

Call for the annual Conference of the Central and Eastern European Association for Mission Studies

 

Hybrid format 

12 – 15 February 2027, Osijek, Croatia

 

The annual conferences of the Central and Eastern Association for Mission Studies (CEEAMS) seek to facilitate a platform where mission study scholars, theologians, missionaries, ministers and students can explore the relevance of theology-missiology for being church and being Christians in relationship with others for the sake of peaceful and just societies. 

Concepts of time such as the “end of  time” and “the things to come”  have increasingly become central notions in the history of Christian mission from the eighteenth century onwards. Different interpretations of Biblical texts, combined with human experiences of God, resulted in manifold understandings of how “proclaiming the Gospel till the end of the world”  implies not just a geographical dimension, but also  a chronological one, as in “the end of times.” The link between the geographical and the chronological is usually established and/or affected by political powers (of dominance and suppression) and the development of technology. Christian missionary enterprise embodies this link in numerous ways: missionary zeal, political and/or ideological theologies, and the participation of Christian churches and organizations in shaping societies. 

Recently, there seems to be a more extensive preoccupation with the “end times” worldwide. In the midst of wars, climate change, demographic shifts, and the speedy development of  AI, the “end times” language appears in various sectors of  society, posing a challenge to which theologians-missiologists must respond. The responses have an urgency because the “end times” discourses affect the everyday life and belief of people and how they participate in shaping life together in a particular community. 

The annual CEEAMS conference seeks to do exactly that: to provide a platform for theologians-missiologists, mission studies scholars (juniors and seniors), reflective practitioners (ministers, missionaries, theologians working in different sectors of the society) to engage with the issue of how does “end time” imaginary, thinking and practice impact, challenge and question Christian mission in Central and Eastern Europe.

The questions formulated below may be of some guidance: 

• What apocalyptic images impact mission in your particular tradition and context and what are some possible theological responses?
• How can churches and faith communities critically and constructively address the issue of instrumentalization of religion?
• What is the relationship between religion (rhetoric, symbols, imagination) and current technological developments, particularly with regard to AI and military technology?
• What is the relationship between mission theology, Christian identities, and ethics of digital engagement? 
• How can Christian churches make a positive contribution in the effort of “being human” vis-a-vis the all too often dehumanizing aspects of technological progress?
• What are some examples of constructive exegetical and hermeneutical work with apocalyptic and eschatological texts in the Bible?
• In what ways can theological education contribute to critical Christian engagement with “end time” imaginary, thinking, and practice?

The above formulated questions are only a few examples which seek to stimulate answering the call. Feel free to answer the call with your creativity as long as your proposal connects to the keywords and explicitly relates to Central and Eastern Europe. Next to the more classical proposals for an academic paper, we also invite artistic responses to the conference theme (e.g. poetry, music, painting, film, sculpture). A special part of the program will be dedicated to such contributions. 

Abstracts and procedure

To submit a paper  or a panel proposal, please send an abstract of no more than 300 words to ceeams@ceeams.org by 18th of October 2026 with the subject heading: CA2027 / [your name]. 

Abstracts should provide a brief description of the work, clearly outlining the theoretical perspectives and methodology to be applied in the paper, as set out in the Guidelines for Abstracts (see below).

NOTIFICATIONS OF ACCEPTANCE WILL BE SENT BY the 2nd of November 2026.

Papers may be selected for publication in ACTA MISSIOLOGIAE, the journal of the Central and Eastern European Association for Mission Studies.

Conference presentations/papers should be restricted to a 20 minute presentation followed by 10 minutes for discussion.

Dates of the Conference

The conference starts on Friday afternoon, the 12th of February 2027 and ends on Monday the 15th of February with lunch. 

Conference Venue

Evangelical Theological Seminary

Cvjetkova 32, PO Box 370, Osijek, Croatia, HR-31103

Tel: 385-31-494-200 // Fax: 385-31-494-201

 

Hybrid format

The conference will be organized in a hybrid format.

REGISTRATION 

The conference cost is 120 euro which includes conference participation, lunch, dinner and coffee breaks. 45 euro is non-refundable in case of cancellation.

Accommodation and breakfast are not included in the conference cost.

REGISTRATION TIMELINE

January 1 to 10th, 2027 – EARLY BIRD registration:

• 110 euro – conference fee for regular participants (accommodation to be arranged by participants themselves)
• 95 euro – conference fee plus accommodation in shared rooms and breakfast for scholarship holders (for scholarship requirements see below)
• 35 euro – online participation

January 11th to January 24th, 2027– regular registration:

• 120 euro – conference fee for regular participants (accommodation to be arranged by participants themselves)
• 105 euro – conference fee plus accommodation in shared rooms and breakfast for scholarship holders (for scholarship requirements see below)
• 45 euro – online participation

 SCHOLARSHIP

We are glad that once again this year, we will receive financial support for those conference participants who cannot afford the full conference fee.

Those participants are entitled to pay the reduced conference fee – and  be hosted in shared rooms at the ETS including breakfast, who:

• are from Central and Eastern Europe
• submit an abstract
• register for the entire conference
• students
• do not get a reimbursement through their institution.

Scholarships can only be provided upon a request which include the following:1. Motivation to attend and the reason for the need for financial support; 2. Budget of your conference costs.

Scholarship requests must be submitted not later than December 31st  2026.

Full scholarships for conference fees are available only in exceptional cases.

Do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have at registrations@ceeams.org

 PAYMENT

You can pay through Paypal or through our bank account.

1. Paypal LINK
2. CEEAMS bank account:

IBAN HU58 1202 04070175 8448 0020 0001
BIC: UBRTHUHB
Raiffeisen Bank Zrt. Budaörs
Templom tér 22.
2040 Budaörs
Hungary
Branch number 2040

Do not forget to add the conference code and name of participant: *CA2027+your name*

 

Travel information

• Direct flights to Osijek:

There are few direct flights to Osijek. Please check Osijek airport travel agency.

• Flying to Zagreb:

If you travel by bus, train or plane to Zagreb, please check Arriva webpage. There are regular busses to Osijek, several times a day.

For those arriving at Zagreb airport, there is a shuttle to Zagreb bus station.

• Flying to Budapest:

*Budapest to Osijek by bus: If you travel by bus, train, or plane to Budapest airport, there is regular once a day bus line to Osijek. Flixbus leaves at 17:25 and arrival in Osijek at 21:30. For online reservations click HERE.

*Budapest to Osijek by shuttle: We can arrange shuttle pick up at Budapest airport for you. It is 50 EUR per person/one direction. If there would be a group of people being picked up, transport is 35 EUR per person.

 

Accommodation information

Hotels recommended: 

If you are going to book your own accommodation here are some options. If you are looking at booking.com or Airbnb.com make sure to put “Donji Grad” – this part of the city where the conference venue is located. There are just apartments to rent, there are no hotels or hostels. 

*Apartment Mursa: 5 min walk from conference venue, it can accommodate up to 7 people. 

*Apartman Krstova: Private apartment across the venue, it can accommodate 2 people. 

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cancel your conference participation:

• before  February 1st, 2027: you will receive your previous payment minus the 45 euro non-refundable fee.
• between February 1st and February 10th, 2027: you will receive your previous payment minus 70 euro.
• after February 10th, 2027: no refunds are possible.

Reimbursement after cancellation within the specified timeframe only happens upon request.

 

REGISTRATION FORM

https://r3.minicrm.hu/Form-33778-0a5ufiy2bh17oz2vjhc30huwmbee9j