From the September-December 2011 Issue
WHAT IS HAPPENING? - Norway
John and Oline Taylor
The long cold winter is over. You can imagine the transformation as the days get longer, everything begins to grow, all the trees become green in a day and suddenly there are a hundred things that must be done which could not be done before. People are drawn into a new life of activity and it is light both day and night.
But summer is often a time of drought spiritually, especially for the small groups in isolated places. Whereas in a bigger town meetings can be carried on in spite of holidays, in smaller places with many miles to the next group, activities tend to grind to a halt.
Conventions
Summer is a good time to travel, visit family and the like. It also allows Christians the possibility of gathering with other believers from a large area at differing kinds of conventions. Even in the North of Norway there are quite a few to choose from. These reflect differences in preaching, teaching, or atmosphere. Not all is good. But especially for the Christians in a small group a good convention can be a very important part of their spiritual development and the fellowship with other Christians of like-mind is a great encouragement to go on with Christ. The possibility of sitting under a good Bible teacher and to be able to have a spiritual conversation with others is a real blessing from the Lord.
The different denominations each have their conferences. The Northern district of the Misjonsforbund, the group we have worked with, had theirs in Narvik this year and there were nearly 100 gathered altogether, lots of families with children. The children had their own meetings. The larger towns were well represented and there were just a few from the smaller groups. The Bible studies centred on what we are and what we can do in Christ. Then in the afternoon we asked each other in the different churches the question: “What is happening?” Here are the answers: In Tromsø there is good work especially amongst the students in the University there. They have two pastors and good leadership.
In Narvik there are many immigrants who have found a spiritual home in the church, where they have seen people coming to faith in Christ and becoming active in the work. They have had a very busy winter.
In Bodø they are not reaching new people. They are trying to contact previous members inviting them to come to the meetings.
We had Olaug and her husband from Tana with us and she told us of her determination to reach new people. They witness in the whole of their district in different ways. The children’s meeting has grown. The smaller children must have a parent with them, so there have been five or so parents attending and they are hearing the Word too. Oline and I have had two periods of three weeks each year with them and it is a great inspiration for us.
In Målselv there is a small group and they have meetings every fortnight. They now have a new leader who needs our prayers. Several people sought the Lord for salvation during this conference. At the end of July there is to be a conference on the island of Senja quite near us, and this is usually attended by the Christians from the small groups in our district. I have preached in these churches occasionally and we look forward to some good days of fellowship together.
An evangelist is coming to live in a little village called Rosfjordstraumen. He has a secular job and plans to work out from the church there, so perhaps we can do things together. I would ask you to pray for this man, John Willy. He is coming to the conference on Senja.
In these days when Christian standardsare being opposed on every hand and the unsaved do not come to our meetings, we need to hear the call again: “How can they hear without someone preaching to them” and “You shall be my witnesses” – yes, we who have already met Jesus the Lord.
Thank you for praying for us.