By Philip C. Johnson – October 25, 2025
The past September and October have been a whirlwind for Global Next, launching new programs across Europe while anchoring young lives to biblical truth amid a fractured world. From Edinburgh’s ancient stones to Rome’s pilgrim-packed streets, we’ve chased courage, confronted darkness, and celebrated full-circle grace.
It began in Edinburgh with our inaugural “Jump Your Shadow” conference (read more). Students from Lexington Christian Academy—many traveling with me for years—explored lives of shadow-jumpers like Mary Slessor, the fearless Scottish missionary in Nigeria; David Livingston— a nod to bold pursuit of purpose; and firebrand preacher John Knox, whose Reformation thunder echoed in the city’s graveyards. Treasured moments abounded: breathless summit triumphs on Arthur’s Seat, wobbly descents sparking laughter, and Loch Ness cruises pondering monsters—real and metaphorical. Watching these familiar faces grow into consequential young men and women filled me with quiet joy.
Global Next’s traditional conferences paused for urgent detours to Paris and Brussels, where I interviewed voices on Europe’s jihadist shadows in Molenbeek and Saint-Denis (read here and here) These unassimilated enclaves shielded ISIS terrorists post-2015 Paris attacks, exposing integration failures. Meetings with far-right figures demanding “remigration” of non-French immigrants underscored the stakes—a heartbreaking Bataclan survivor story is forthcoming.
The marathon climaxed with back-to-back groups in Rome, smack in the 2025 Jubilee Year. This Catholic holy year, proclaimed every 25 years (last in 2000), invites pilgrims to seek indulgence through Rome’s holy doors. Millions have flooded from worldwide for this once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage. As a Protestant, I’m overwhelmed watching fervent souls strive to earn God’s favor. Yet I dissolve in gratefulness: I could never work hard enough to earn my salvation. Salvation is a gift—“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV).
The final group , also in Rome, echoed full-circle sweetness. My friend Paul (from California), a Global Next believer for nearly 20 years, brought his 15-year-old son Eli on his first conference—in the very city where, over 15 years ago, we discussed the father Paul would become. A decade and a half later, Paul’s legacy shines in Eli’s character. Then Brandon (from Florida), a former student now educator, led his first group—mirroring his father bringing him years prior. Nostalgic, heart-tugging, humbling.
From Nessie hunts to geopolitical pokes, dodging Rome’s pilgrims while teaching amazing students, these weeks slowed even my forward gaze. God has inserted Global Next into unexpected places, shaping youth biblically—edging geopolitics and hearts toward His sovereign plan. My gratitude overflows for this small purpose that God has placed in my life.
And it seems far from over, at least as long as God finds it in his purposes to allow me to continue. In two weeks, I’m off to Japan with students, two back-to-back programs in Poland in January, two more Japan programs in March, a Greece program in May. And Rome and Florence in June with a group of adults. And yes, probably a few “research” trips tucked in here and there—but you’ll be the first to hear about those. 😊
Discover more at www.GlobalNext.org.
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