The Freakstock Festival in Germany this past August was the setting for the first ever Global Roundtable of the Underground Emerging Church. This historic gathering drew more than 60 key leaders from 26 different countries, including church planters, musicians and artists.

The event was instigated by the Jesus Freaks, who have planted 90 European churches; and the Underground Railroad, a coalition of North American and European ministries.

Other participants included The Boaz Project; Sanctuary International; Norway's Sub-Church; the Glorious Undead, from the UK; and New York's Tribe Church.

Freakstock was a very intergenerational event. Participants ranged from children of the leaders up to a few of the pioneers who were in their 50s.

Each morning included an experimental worship time, and an interactive workshop. Since there are no books out there for underground churches, the insights shared by pioneering leaders were invaluable.

The evening roundtable sessions were the most memorable part of the event. They enabled participants to speak of what they felt the Lord had put on their heart. It was inspiring to hear of their creativity, and the variety of directions God had taken them in reaching out to this unusual people group.

First, we heard from American missionaries who had been in Europe for many years and had begun significant ministries. Then we listened to a new generation of missionaries - sent by the Jesus Freaks, Sub-Church and the Prodigal Project, to youth cultures in Japan, Nepal, India, Indonesia, Israel and Europe.

A band called No Longer Music played, and demonstrated their presentation of the gospel. They take it into some of the darkest hell holes imaginable; and yet, because of their creativity and anointing, they have brought many to Christ.

On the last day, we all had communion together. It was very touching, with many people crying. We then prayed for leaders from the different geographical areas represented at the festival. It was especially significant when we prayed for leaders from Latin America; there was a great sense among us that the Lord has a strong desire to move mightily in that region.

We finished off with a prayer for Sasa, a Jewish believer from the Czech Republic, who has spent a number of years translating the Bible into modern Czech; and Sam, a Lebanese believer who was miraculously able to get out of Lebanon right in the middle of the bombing this past summer. We prayed for God to work in the Middle East.

The following comments from Nina Orpana of Finland, who is new to the underground subculture, provide a good summary of Freakstock's impact:

"Most people at the roundtable were men in black, in tattoos, piercings or dreadlocks; but there was something familiar about the scene. These people seem to be tribal in the same sense as some of my Native friends. Subcultural people struggle with many of the same problems as Native peoples do.

"It was important to see that, in even the more traditional countries, there is an emerging subcultural scene which attracts those who see through their traditional culture, and feel called to something new. Yet, it's not about 'doing underground church.' We felt God challenge us to see 'beyond the beyond.'"

The event, she concluded, "created an atmosphere where people dared to be themselves, and to connect authentically."

Vancouver pastor Trevor Macpherson is head of the Underground Railroad.

Mission Fields Spring 2007