Renewing Our Minds (ROM) is a Southeastern European project of change with a vision of a transformed leadership, inspired by the character and teachings of the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
ROM's mission is to develop leaders of integrity, committed to reconciliation, peace-building, and healing social action; leaders, who renewed in their mind, character, attitudes, and actions in the likeness of Jesus, are steadily transforming their constituencies, communities, and country.
Following the Balkan Wars (1991-1995) in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, a group of young adults associated with Life Center International (LCI) from Croatia, gave birth to the international ROM movement. ROM was born in response to prevailing ethnic, religious, political, and economic distress; and at a time when an emerging generation of young leaders in the region lacked role models and a vision for the future of the post-war Balkan region.
The first ROM Gathering was launched in 1999 in the beautiful town of Fuzine in Croatia. Over the years ROM has grown into an international family of friends that embraces young adults and emerging from 40 countries. In 2011 ROM became part of a non-profit organization, Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation.
A ROM Gathering is a journey that begins with the question: “Who or what is impacting your mind?” Over several days, you are guided from one question to another, all of them leading you beyond the daily superficialities of life into pondering deep into the themes and subjects that matter, are true, defining, dignifying and meaningful.
Upcoming Events
Renewing Our Minds and the European Christian Political Party invite you to Faith, Media & Politics: Rebuilt, a conference taking place in Thessaloniki, Greece October 29- November 1, 2026.
This year our theme is Rebuilt, focused on how to rebuild a healthy, flourishing society after division and destruction. Students and professionals from various spheres with an interest in the topic are invited to attend. Because we believe that all of parts of society have a part in rebuilding, this conference is not just about and for politicians. We hope that we may, in fact, counter the helplessness and disillusionment many experience as a result of the current political climate, which then leads them to disengagement. Instead we want to present a vision for healthy, productive political engagement based on our core values, and for participants to leave feeling empowered to contribute to rebuilding their communities. Learn more and register through the link below.
Aug 25, 2026
Get Equipped to Rebuild at Faith, Media & Politics 2026
Renewing Our Minds and the European Christian Political Party invite you to Faith, Media & Politics: Rebuilt, a conference taking place in Thessaloniki, Greece October 29- November 1, 2026.
Jul 1, 2026
An Other or Another?
What does it mean to be an "Other"?
We've all felt the sting of being excluded in a community, whether it was in middle school or the office. It could have been because we were new, or we weren't as smart as the in-crowd, or maybe it was because of the way we looked, or the way we worshipped, or the way we pronounced certain words.
May 1, 2026
Forum Welcomes New Board Member Kimberly Hart
The Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation held its annual board meeting from January 16–19, 2026 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to strategic planning for the short- and long-term future of ROM and EDI, the Forum also welcomed to our board our newest member, Kimberly Hart of Maryland.
Apr 14, 2026
ROM Community Spotlight: Branly Madati
Branly Madati, from Tanzania, first attended the Renewing Our Minds (ROM) summer gathering in 2022. But last year, summer ROM 2025 in Tuk, Croatia, sparked a desire to take the lessons of ROM back to his ministry in Tanzania. Branly runs Purpose Discovery, a ministry that seeks to provide a safe environment for young people to discover and live out their God-given purpose.
Mar 31, 2026
From an "Other" to Another: ROM 2026
This summer, Renewing Our Minds returns to Crikvenica, Croatia June 27-July 4, 2026, for a week of teaching, dialogue, and community built around the theme (An)other.
It's a theme that asks young leaders of tomorrow a deceptively simple question: What does it genuinely mean to encounter someone different from yourself? That question has been at the heart of ROM since 1999.
Nov 25, 2025
EDI: Building Something Bigger
In July 2025, Justin Kagin, EDI Director, and long-time EDI team members: Dan and Silvia Nichita, Mihaela Kovacs, Aurora Martin, Noemi Menes Montes and Corina Leahu gathered in Romania for an energizing EDI Masters Summit—several days of prayer, excellent ideas, and deep conversations about the future of EDI.
Nov 14, 2025
Adapting and Resisting with Empathy, Hope, and Creativity
About 50 participants, speakers, and volunteers gathered for the 2025 Renewing Our Minds summer gathering August 3-15 in Tuk, Croatia. The theme of this year’s gathering was “Adapt or Resist,” and we dealt with how to respond to an increasingly complex and divided world.
May 8, 2025
ROM 2025 Asks the Question: Adapt or Resist?
This year, the Renewing Our Minds summer gathering will maintain its focus on reconciliation and leadership development, while also featuring a special theme: Adapt or Resist. The past year has been a year of protest in the Balkans, the rest of Europe, and around the world...
Nov 15, 2024
Faith & Politics: Bridging Divides and Reclaiming a Civil Discourse in European Politics
For four full days, politicians, students, and young professionals gathered in Crikvenica, Croatia to explore peaceful and faith-based solutions to today’s polarization, especially in politics. Renewing Our Minds (ROM) partnered with the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM) for the event
Oct 10, 2024
Faith and Politics: Bridging Divides and Reclaiming a Civil Discourse in European Politics
Renewing Our Minds (ROM) invites you to a conference on Faith and Politics: Bridging Divides and Reclaiming a Civil Discourse in European Politics, taking place in Life Center in Crikvenica, Croatia October 31-November 3, 2024.
ROM Updates
