Friday, April 26, 2013

bringing life to Lahti

Here we go again! Another Sunday in Lahti. Today some of our team members will spend time in prayer and fasting for this event. Though we aren't seeing huge numbers coming out to our services, we know that every endeavor where Christ is glorified in this city is a spiritual battle. Most of those who come from Lahti have no other church to call home. This is it, let's give it all we have for the glory of His Name!

Also, today Pastor Juha and I will visit a Christian school in nearby Espoo to share a Word with the students... Keep us in your prayers always!

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

another Turkey adventure

I recently returned to Finland from a short stay in Istanbul where I was teaching in the Istanbul Bible Institute (hosted by Pastor Matti Sirviö and Greater Grace Istanbul Church). We had over 15 students there from all over the Middle Eastern/Central Asian world. The classes were being translated into Turkish, Arabic, and Russian. Amazing time... Here's some pics:













Tuesday, March 19, 2013

promo w/ Pastor Schaller


HIBI (Helsinki International Bible Institute) is coming to town! Check out our new promo video for this summer's intensive Bible training here in "The Sink" a.k.a. Helsinki City.

a day out

We had our "bros only" youth night this weekend with an amazing guest speaker: Pastor Juha Haatanen. It was a great time, one for the record books! Pastor Juha got real personal with the young guys and the words were deep. Our calling, having a personal relationship with Christ, taking new steps of faith, decision-making with God, all of these topics stirred our hearts as the fire warmed our boots (and burned some hands!). One of our youngest guys was grilling our youth leader (Jouni) about when the next outing like this would be. There's a hunger in these young men... a hunger to know Him who has redeemed us.
Pray for the "bros" here in Helsinki.











Monday, March 11, 2013

eurocon '13

Eurocon. The highlight of every year, at least on this side of the Atlantic. So many faces, stories, and memories. The messages were sharp. The theme, taken from 2 Tim. 1.7, seemed to penetrate through the European atmosphere right to our hearts. The challenge now is to take this Word and mix faith with it in our detail-filled lives. Put it into practice.

We had our first church service in Lahti the weekend before last and we anticipate great endeavors of the Spirit in that place during the coming Spring. Keep our Helsinki Church, Bible School, Youth in prayer as always. Also the possibility of starting a new event geared towards youth in Lahti is on the horizon.

The Word is not bound!











Thursday, February 14, 2013

preparing

Nick and I arrived in Istanbul, Turkey just a few days ago. We are getting ready to receive a group of 30 Finnish young people here for a 6-day Youth Missions Trip. This amazing pack is made up mostly of teens and young adults from our Greater Grace church in Helsinki. We look forward to what God will do in the hearts and minds of these precious people as they take a big step out of their "comfort-zone". Keep this great endeavor in your prayers.









Saturday, February 9, 2013

our first church building

Under this little smoke-hut located outside the mall in central Lahti we have had some amazing connections with people. It's sort of become our first unofficial church building. Not the most luxurious edifice one may conclude, but I've come to love it. People of all types, mostly young people, come here to chill and chat... as well as smoke, obviously. It provides us with a place where, no matter what the weather, we can converse and connect with the locals. We pray that God will use our words and lives to draw these folks to Him.

Monday, January 21, 2013

the debut of Nick

Nick Gronewold... Our newest Helsinki team member!