The Potential to Break the Ice
Scotte Staab
Norway is a beautiful and historic country that has taken the world’s admiration by storm. Tourism has been growing since the Disney animated film “Frozen” and the television series “Vikings” from the History Channel. There has also been a renewal in worshiping the Nordic gods, reconnecting admirers to their national roots. This shows the shift from the country’s Christian heritage to a humanistic and atheistic worldview.
According to “Operation World,” Norway’s 200 years of Lutheran heritage and push of cross-cultural missions is in decline. Out of the 90 percent of people who call themselves Lutheran, only 10% are committed Christians. Atheist can now be “confirmed” in their ideology just like the Lutheran young people. Only four percent of the population attend church on any given Sunday. So how is God breaking through this “ice of confusion and unbelief?”
In 2011, a connection was made with the Baptist Church of Trondheim to assist the church and help a physically ailing pastor. Through this dear relationship, an intern from Liberty University served a year and a half with this church and several smaller churches along the E-6 corridor toward Oslo. Teens and college students made decisions for Christ and were baptized. Relationships were also made with the churches in Lillehammer, home of the Olympics of 1994 and the International Church of Oslo.
Through these relationships, there was a connection made with the student group Laget (means Team). This group has been coordinating a student ministry that in the spring hosts an Apologetics Week each year. During this week, there are debates on God, the Bible, religion, and science. God has brought many young college students to salvation and the continued contact with believers has encouraged discipleship and growth. These events have “broken the ice” for SLM.
In 2017, SLM will partner with local churches to strength these local bodies and plant new churches from Oslo to Trondheim. In Trondheim, it is our desire that Pastor Egil Sagen spearhead the SLM materials into Norwegian and that they will start using the material in English and Burmese where there is a church of 50 members living and serving in Trondheim. There is also another possibility of using Russian in Trondheim and the International Church of Oslo. In Oslo, children’s materials are needed in Norwegian, Russian, and English. So here is our prayer response to what God is doing in Norway.
- Pray for a revival in the hearts of this nation of affluence where the average income is $94,000 and they have largely rejected Christianity in search of other religious systems.
- Pray for the Norwegian translation to be completed for Explorers, New Life in Christ, and Practical Christian Living this year.
- Pray for Pastor Egil Sagen and his leadership in the Trondheim Baptist Church.
- The International Church in Oslo needs a pastor.
- Discipleship is needed in a great way and SLM is ready to help. Between 1995 and 2005, over 250 churches of different denominations were started. Please pray for discipleship leaders who will reach the lost and disciple the nominal believers.
- Church nurturing is a great need. The churches of Oppdal, Dambos, Lilllehammer, and Otta are without permanent leadership. Leadership training is so important for the future of the Lord’s work in Norway
- There is another Apologetics Week in March, where over 20 United States students and leaders will participate. NTNU is the largest university in Norway and is home to the future leaders of Norway. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the teams as they share the Gospel and build relationships so the local churches can follow up with these talented students.
