Our Work in Sweden

For 3 years, the Lord planted us in North America following our service in Eastern Europe with Greater Europe Mission. This was a time of preparation to serve the people and the church in Northern Sweden.

What Did We Learn After Our First 3 Years in Europe?

Our first term of 3 years in Eastern Europe were vital for us. We learned firsthand how different life is in post-Christian Europe, where the church has been in decline for decades. We focused on building relationships, serving people, and sharing hope. Our experience helped us empathize with our new friends and neighbors whose daily lives are isolated from Jesus and the gospel. While it may feel like a shock to us, it is their ‘normal.’

After a time of diligent training, building, and growing—we have been better prepared to partner with what God is doing in Northern Sweden!

Our New Home for Ministry & Mission in Sweden

Sweden truly is like no other place on earth. The World Evangelism Research Center says Sweden is home to “the most resistant people group to the Gospel.” The importance of this challenge is heightened by Sweden’s influence in Europe. As the third-largest country in the European Union, those who are unchurched among Sweden’s 9.9 million people are starving for a bold gospel witness, and Swedish believers are in need of people who can come alongside and serve with them.

The Swedish Church is Desperate for Help

One Swedish Christian leader described the state of the church with these words, “The Swedish church has already collapsed. We need help bringing a boldness for the Gospel and a conviction the Swedish church has lost.”

Another Swedish believer noted this about the church upon his return to Sweden, “I asked several pastors what they wanted non-Christians to hear when they came to church; virtually no one could give a clear answer.”

Our 2-Part Plan to Help the Swedish Church

1. Discipling 18–25 year olds at Bibelfjäll

We serve at Hemavan Fjällstation and at Bibelfjäll in Hemavan in Northern Sweden. Bibelfjäll is a one-year Bible school discipling students 18–25 years old from among the Nordic countries. Discipling these Swedish believers is crucial for reaching Sweden and the greater Nordic region. Upon graduation, these students will be equipped to influence key cities like Stockholm:

• 18–25 year olds are one of the largest demographics in Sweden: reaching them is critical
• Stockholm is an important Nordic city, the size of Silicon Valley, California
• Business Insider named Stockholm The 9th Most Influential City For The Future

Our role at Bibelfjäll includes student life ministry, teaching, devotions, chapel, pastoral care, and inviting students into our home and lives. Our aim is to also help the school increase enrollment to capacity.

2. Strengthening the local church

We want to impact more than just the Swedish nation, we want to serve our neighbors. Our home county of Västerbotten has 268,000 residents and another 10,000+ tourists each season. The local Swedish Covenant Church needs urgent help. Our work includes training, leadership, and resources to help reach their friends and neighbors with the gospel.

We’re excited to ask the Holy Spirit to do a miraculous work in and through this small group of believers as we help with preaching, leading corporate worship, equipping believers, and helping the church see themselves as missionaries to their friends and neighbors.

This also gives Bibelfjäll students an opportunity to serve, apply what they are learning, and gain experience equipping others.

We are Qualified and Called to Help Reach Sweden

• We know the post-Christian culture of Europe. We’ve lived and labored there
• Our experience raising 2 daughters of our own to adulthood has given us wisdom for how to reach and relate to young adults
• We work with an excited, talented team at Bibelfjäll who have been eagerly praying for help
• We have the faithful support of more than 40 families and 6 church families who give regularly

Our Nordic Ministries Support Team

We already have the financial support from many others just like you. Along with them, we’re completely sold out to helping reach Sweden and we strive together to bring the joy of Jesus to secular Scandinavia.

Our Support Team is enabling us to:

Move from the US to Sweden. We now need to locate a home that will be used for hospitality for students, church, neighbors, and supporters like you who want to visit us.

Attend language school to learn Swedish. We started language learning before our arrival, and now we’re continuing in a formal language learning environment, plus we work with a private tutor a few times each week. Our aim is to complete our language training with full fluency by 2023.

Serve with Bibelfjäll and help lead the local Swedish Covenant Church. We serve as part of the teaching and leadership teams, providing pastoral care and discileship for Bibelfjäll school, Hemavan Mountain Station and the local Swedish Covenant Church.

 

Choose A Monthly Support Option

Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us in monthly support?

Your support will be handled with complete integrity and accountability through the 501C3 organization of Greater Europe Mission.