Helsinki, Scandinavia, to the Uttermost...

Cyprus

2012-02-09T19:13:00.000+02:00

Turkey

2012-02-09T19:10:00.000+02:00

again abroad

2012-02-09T19:01:00.001+02:00

I made my return to this great nation of Finland a couple of weeks ago. I had barely enough time to catch my balance before I was headed back to the airport once again. I spent 10 days in Turkey and Cyprus with different groups of believers; Turks, Kurds, Greek Cypriots, Brits, Russians, Iranians, you get the idea. It was such a rich time seeing so many believers from so many different backgrounds, including Islam, worshipping the Lord together. We have a Greater Grace church in Istanbul where Pastor Matti, a Finnish pastor, is leading a vibrant assembly. Most of these people considered themselves Muslims just a few years ago! Now they have found the Truth in Christ and are growing in their walks of Faith. Keep their Istanbul Bible Institute in prayer as they look to add students and teachers for these upcoming semesters.

In Cyprus we have another group of believers who have started a Bible school where they watch video classes from MBC&S. We got to be a part of their first live class which was taught by Pastor Matti. The next night we had a time of discussion and got to hear some of their personal testimonies. What a great time.

Keep these places in your prayers as well as the great work of God here in Finland.

American visit

2012-01-09T02:30:00.001+02:00

I have been spending the last month or so traveling around the east coast of the United States; Massachusetts, Baltimore, and Atlanta being a few of my stops along the way. It has been a
refreshing time of family time, Body Life, and manual labour! I will be returning to Finland at the end of this week. Great excitement fills my heart as I look to the possibilities of what God will do in this year. Continuing in prayer.

the gospel

2011-11-30T16:23:00.000+02:00

A couple weeks ago we had an awesome Youth Meeting in our church here in Helsinki. It was so encouraging to see so many, maybe 30, teenage Finns crammed together in our fireplace room, worshiping God together and listening to His Word. I felt as if we were in the upper room, in the presence of the Savior Himself. We spoke on the Gospel of Jesus Christ; a simple but profound message. Many times we can forget how powerful the Gospel is if we aren't faced with it's reality in revelation. We were 100% lost, totally filled with our own sin... that is, until He came. He came and lived a perfect life in order to be our kinsman redeemer, satisfying the justice of God and fulfilling the mission of the Father's love towards His creation. Incredible.

My prayer is that this message would sound throughout this country through the mouths and lives of these young people.

Lahti

2011-11-16T20:38:00.000+02:00

Here's some photos of a recent trip we took to Lahti, a city about 100 kilometers from Helsinki. We are praying about starting an outreach to this area in the near future.

my mother

2011-11-08T16:44:00.000+02:00

Just a few days ago, my mother returned to the States after being here with us in Helsinki for almost a week's time. She came with Jenny Perry, an awesome woman of God from our church in Lee, MA, and they ministered in the Women's Seminar that our church hosted. It was so great to see them invest in the ladies' lives here in Helsinki and I believe their visit really left a lasting impression on everyone present. My mother has always played a huge role in my walk with the Lord. Her prayers were many and their power has been manifested in my life and many others. We await your return Ma!

tonight's subject

2011-10-01T17:35:00.000+03:00

We are having a larger youth meeting tonight at our church here in Pukinmäki. We have invited the attendees of our annual band camp celebration to come and join us. Here is the subject we will be speaking on: The believer's unique ability to expect the supernatural while seeing the beauty in that which is normal.

the person

2011-09-27T01:51:00.000+03:00

Late this evening, I found myself walking through the back streets which lead home, enjoying the crisp autumn night. I was listening to an old Pastor Schaller message which sparked some crucial thoughts in my mind.
Consider the lost souls in this world and how they think. Many people in the west have such an interesting concept of Christ these days. They see Him as just a religious figure, or in some cases, as just a principle. We often hear people speak of Christ on these terms: Why haggle about whether He really existed, or whether He really was who He said He was? The story of His life and death is full of useful principles of morality and selflessness. Why can't we just leave it at that and move on? The problem with "just moving on" would be this: What if He is not just a principle? What if He is a person? What if He is God? On these two points pivot all the meaning and purpose of creation and human existence.
The fact is He is not just a principle. I have a mother. She lives in Lee, Massachusetts. We can talk about the "Mother Principle," or the principle of having a good mother. However, the fact is that I have a real mother who is a real person. The same reality faces every human being. Jesus Christ was, and is, a real person. He really is who He said He was and will continue to be so. We must engage this personal God and find our life and meaning before His wonderful Throne.

säbä!

2011-09-25T17:53:00.000+03:00

So last week, for the first time in Greater Grace/Raamattu Puhuu history, we launched a preteen boys floor-ball league: Pukinmäen Säbäkerho (Pukinmäki Floor-ball Club). At our first official game we had a group of 9 people consisting of four leaders and five preteen competitors. Three of the young guys were from the area and were first-timers in any of our church activities.

Each week we will have a game which is divided into two halves with a water break and Bible study during the halftime. We plan to play every Saturday morning until November 12th. Keep this in prayer as it is a great way to reach young people in this area with the precious Gospel.

the latest

2011-09-14T16:13:00.002+03:00

Well things are starting to really heat up here as the Finnish autumn approaches. We started our Bible school up again at the start of this month and we have been so thankful to God for the fruit that is being manifested. Our classes are full as more and more people are looking to find definition for their lives in the Word. The Bible is truly alive with power and substance.
Also, as is shown in the pictures, we sent out a newly married couple to spend a period of time in Budapest, Hungary taking classes in the Greater Grace affiliated Bible school there. Teija, another amazing friend and disciple from Helsinki, has taken a step of faith and moved to Baltimore, MD, USA to study in our Bible College (MBC&S) for one year. It is so edifying to see these young Finns dare to challenge the system, or as I call it, the "Finnish way", and walk by faith in this time. I pray that it continues. I am sure that God honors all who let go of the natural life to find the greatness and power of a victorious life of faith with Christ.
This month, starting this week, there is a major media campaign run by various churches and Christian organizations in Helsinki. This campaign will run into the middle of October. There will be advertisements all over the city pointing to Christ in whom we find the power to change. We are excited to see what fruit will come of this event. Our church is taking part in evangelism and visitation programs which will be used to meet and follow up on people who are seeking this changed life. Pray for us... pray for them.

Southern France/Geneva, Switzerland

2011-08-29T19:47:00.000+03:00

Last week I returned from a one week trip to Southern France and Switzerland to visit the churches there and to be with Pastor Schaller, the pastor of Greater Grace Church of Baltimore and leader of GGWO. Pastor Schaller came with his wife and we had a 5 day conference with the three Greater Grace churches of France (Paris, Nimes, and Montpellier). It was so amazing to meet these precious believers and to see their unity of their fellowship in the midst of such an atheistically minded country.

Two pastors, Jean Cartier from Nimes and Yohann Pepe from Montpellier, were ordained during one of the evening services.

It was shocking to watch 50 or so people looking on as Pastor Schaller did a sketch-board display in Montpellier as part of the outreach.

We were so blessed to see the work of God there as so many believers are laying down their lives, walking with Christ, and making an impact on the western world. Pray for France. Pray for Finland. God is moving.

an epic day

2011-08-26T19:08:00.001+03:00

Jouni (our youth pastor in Helsinki) and I (Mathew Laflamme) left shore this morning expecting a easy ride on our little white fishing boat around the lake known as Ylä-Lylyjärvi...it didn't turn out that way.

We've been spending the last few days there relaxing and doing some serious bouts of fishing. The first days on the lake were pretty uneventful, that was until last night. On our way back in from a 2 hour fishing expedition we were carrying two small pickerel and we were quite satisfied to just go back and hit the sauna. But Jouni wanted one more cast, so we did, and he hit gold. A 7 kilo (roughly 16 pound) northern pike nailed his lure and after quite a struggle we wrestled it into the boat. Jouni was shocked as we saw how big these giants can be. It was over 3 feet long! I've never even seen a fish this big.
Then this morning we went off again without any real equipment because we weren't expecting anything big. I cast my line...we began talking... and BOOM, another big hit. As I was thinking to myself "how big could this one be?" the thing jumped out of the water with my lure still in its jaws. Jouni rowed the boat slowly back to the dock as I wrestled the beast. Finally, I was back on the dock, thinking I would just reel him in. I was wrong. It took me over 30 minutes to fight him back to shore and finally get him close enough for Jouni to grab him in the net. This pike was even bigger then the one from last night! It was 18 pounds and way over 3 feet long. Two huge catches in just 24 hours... crazy stuff...

Now we're headed back to civilization with our prize fillets stocked away in the cooler

Two fish over 16 pounds in less then 24 hours...

Porvoo

2011-08-13T20:42:00.001+03:00

Last week we visited a nearby city of about 50,000 people called Porvoo. It's a city that's mostly Swedish or Finnish speaking with very few immigrants living there. Our church has had amazing times of outreach there over the past few years and we decided to spend a few hours there just enjoying the city. After eating some sushi at a local restaurant, one of the crazy Americans who was visiting us here in Finland, Ruth Caron, decided we should kick around a soccer ball randomly in the park at 9:30 pm. So we did. As we were talking and playing, two young guys approached us cautiously. "Can we play with you?" they said in English with an obviously foreign accent. We replied with a yes and started to talk with them as we booted the ball around. As we spoke, they told us that they are two high school kids from Italy, one from Naples and one from Palermo. They are living in Porvoo, Finland for one month as a part of a English course that is run by an international organization. They just so happened to be the only Italian students studying in that program that were sent to this little city, the rest were sent to Helsinki, about 30 of them. They had been walking around the town receiving only cold looks and laughs from the "natives" and were about to go home before they found us in the park. We ended up talking with them for almost 2 hours and discussed many things including religion and the Gospel. They were very open and invited us to come visit them in Italy.

As we drove home we all were amazed how random the night seemed but also how Divine the appointments are that God puts in our lives. Italy is a place that is been on my heart for many years, not only because I am a citizen but because I feel it's an open door for the gospel, especially the southern parts and Sicily. Maybe these two guys will be the next P. Scibelli's... who knows?... He does.

Bändi Leiri

2011-08-08T14:59:00.000+03:00

Band Camp here in our Finnish church is something really special. Every summer about 50 young people go out into the woods to get away from the world and fellowship together around Christ through music. The camp is run mostly by young adults and teens from our church who teach kids from the ages of around 8-15 to play a selection of Christian songs on all types of instruments. This is a ministry which reaches far beyond the walls of our church with kids coming from different countries, churches, and backgrounds. A few of us had the chance to drive up into the wilderness to witness the annual "Band Camp Concert." There are different bands which are formed throughout the week who perform at the grand finale concert on Friday evening. It was something special. One of our youth leaders, Tommi Viljanen, is the camp "pastor" and we had the privilege to listen to his message on the Blood of Christ during the concert. It was an amazing night. One for the history books for sure.

Juho and Päivi's Wedding

2011-08-08T14:30:00.000+03:00

We had two great disciples come together recently here in Helsinki. They are both awesome believers and vital parts of this ministry here. We pray that God will continue to lead them personally, and now together, as they follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth.

Living Waters 2011

2011-07-19T20:13:00.000+03:00

Last Thursday we ended our first "Living Waters" International Summer Youth Event here at our church in Helsinki. We had been diligently planning this great exploit as a team for over six months. It was such a blessing to have the Youth Pastor from Greater Grace Church in Baltimore, MD, USA, Pastor John Love as our guest speaker. Each day was filled with activity, fellowship, and heavy doses of the Word of God. We had over 80 young people come from Finland, Sweden, Russia, Germany, Great Britain and the States. I personally heard of 9 different people professing Christ as a direct result of this event, 5 in our meetings and 4 on the streets during a time of evangelism with the youth. What a kick in the devil's face! On the last night we had a time of testimonies and people were really speechless, the week had really had an eternal impact on our souls. Thanks be to God for this unspeakable gift of Grace.

Souls saved, lives changed, God pouring living waters into our earthen vessels. Now we look to next year ... could there be a Living Waters 2012?

summer in Helsinki

2011-07-19T19:44:00.001+03:00

To the conference

2011-07-07T11:59:00.001+03:00

I arrived back in Helsinki last night, just in time to catch an amazing service at the church with Pastor Matti Sirviö.

Now it's on to the summer conference. Four days around a lake with 400 Finns... What could be better?

Our expectation is of Him, anything is possible.

Location:Helsinki,Finland

Into the schools part two

2011-05-23T06:04:00.001+03:00

So last week Jouni, our youth leader, and I got to go to a public school and share our faith with two groups of 15-16 year-olds. It was amazing to see some of them very interested in what we were saying.
I had a chance to give my testimony and my personal view of what the Bible means to me.
The door continues to be open and we plan to go back to that school and hopefully more as well next semester. Keep this important vision in prayer as we look to let every Finnish student know what great Love the Father has towards them.

Into the schools

2011-05-13T20:53:00.000+03:00

So for the past 9 months or so, we have been really praying for God to open doors to go into schools here in Finland where we could share the gospel to students. We approached some doors only to find them shut. It didn't seem to be a real possibility by sight, but we kept on believing that God would make a way for us to realize this vision.
This morning I received a call from a Religion teacher at a public middle school in Espoo. He told me that he had met Pastor Juha at some event and heard that I was planning on sharing my faith in the schools here. He has invited me to come this Monday morning to teach a 90 minute lesson on the topic of "What the Bible means to Christians in their lives." Praise God!
Please keep this great endeavor in your prayers this weekend.

The march

2011-05-06T17:14:00.000+03:00

Here are some photos from the Jesus March here in Helsinki. This is an annual interdenominational march that Finnish Christians in Helsinki do on the first of May. There was about fifty, or so, from our church in attendance, along with thousands of other Believers.

True Finns

2011-04-26T17:27:00.002+03:00

You may have heard about the recent elections here in Finland, and the success of the True Finns political party. Well...I've found a couple of real "True Finns" here in our church, and one not so "True." This is what we call "avanto" (ice swimming)...or as some would call it, heaven on earth.

An epidemic of faith

2011-04-19T21:51:00.000+03:00

"In epidemiology, an epidemic (επι (epi)- meaning "upon or above" and δεμος (demos)- meaning "people"), occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience."

In our Bible school class this evening, we discussed our vision for the city of Helsinki and the beloved country Finland. We see people, people who have become immunized, their minds fortified against the prospect of the Gospel. It is clearly evident as we watch them bounce around from place to place in the commotion of rush hour, hurrying from appointment to appointment. Purposeless, dry, passive...immune. Immune to the epidemic of faith. However, our prayers are powerful. We pray, and doors are opened. We pray, and God moves.
So what are we praying for?
We pray that people would find their soul's immunity to the gospel weakened and broken. The fallow ground of their heart's torn up and cultivated. To what end, though? To the end that the seed of faith could be planted and the infectious power of the gospel would captivate their hearts and minds; the goodness of God leading to repentance. Our vision is to see an outbreak of faith, or should we just say, an epidemic.

Living Waters 2011: Helsinki, Finland

2011-04-18T16:48:00.000+03:00

Living Waters 2011 trailer from GGWO Helsinki on Vimeo.

A bountiful eye

2011-04-14T17:16:00.001+03:00

In I Kings 18.41-46 there is a story of God answering the prayer of His friend. At a time when all of Israel had gone into panic mode, Elijah sent his servant to go look at the sea seven times. On the seventh time it says that he say a little cloud arise out of a sea, "like a man's hand." It's interesting how sometimes when we survey our situation we can only see "man's hand." Little things are happening but it seems nothing supernatural. However, Elijah trusted God would answer his fervent prayers, and he saw the fruitfulness behind that little hand. God was moving. Elijah had a bountiful eye, and he was blessed by God.

"How does my life look?" Do you see man's hand? Let's ask God to give us a bountiful eye so that we can see His hand and all of the great works He is doing in our lives.

Like precious faith

2011-04-05T23:22:00.002+03:00

This evening we had a great homiletics class with some of our students giving 10 minute portions at the end of the session. It is such a blessing to hear grace being poured out from the mouths of young Finnish believers. What a fulfilling event as well to see the like precious faith that we have received be displayed in such quality. Our heritage handed down from Pastor Stevens through the decades has not been lost here in Helsinki. We go forward!

Also we experienced another solid youth meeting last Saturday as 30 or more of us gathered together to be provoked by a message from our pastor in Vaasa, western Finland, about the opportunities of the gospel.

And as you can see, the Guys Bible Study lives on, going into our third year by the Grace of God.

The Boys

2011-03-31T08:53:00.000+03:00

Built up in faith

2011-03-24T15:52:00.000+02:00

Whenever we come back from a great victory there is always some satanic trap waiting for us to try to deceive us in our emotions. It happened to Elijah in I Kings 18-19 and it happens to us. Nevertheless, God has given us the secret: His faith.
When we were in Budapest, Hungary at Eurocon this past week, our faith was being built up. We had over 10 young Finns with us there, 4 of them for the first time. Message after message, rap after rap, we were being encouraged and strengthened in the deep things of God. What great preparation for the tests and trials to come.
One thing is sure: the life that I now live, I live by the faith of His Son Jesus Christ.
In all humility and assurance we say to the "strong man"...bring it on.

"[He is] near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who [is] mine adversary? let him come near to me." Is. 50.8

Brotherhood

2011-03-22T16:04:00.000+02:00

Flying out

2011-03-14T17:55:00.001+02:00

We have spent the last few days in Helsinki with Pastor Stan Collins, the GGWO missionary pastor in Lima, Peru. We had a Missions conference which lasted for three days, and by Sunday morning the house was packed out. We heard deep messages on faith, weakness, and worship which stirred our hearts to continue seeking after the Living God. My heart goes out to Finnish people. Our desire is that they would find a great hunger and purpose in their lives of faith. Could one of our young Finnish people end up being a missionary in Peru or Argentina? Why not? Is God too small?

Today we will fly out to our annual European Conference in Budapest, Hungary for one week. I am taking a young man named Matias with me. By the end of the week there will be over 20 Finns there, many of them under the age of 25, which in my eyes is a great victory.

Our expectation is of Him and we know that with Him, there can be no disappointments.

Youth Night

2011-03-08T17:59:00.000+02:00

We had an awesome youth night on Saturday with our guest from Baltimore, MD, Matt Veader. He came and edified us all with words from the heart. As he spoke, I was thinking of the value of getting involved with young people's lives. I imagined all the wiles of the enemy that are plotted and executed against them on a daily basis in this world. God is so faithful to plant great seeds in their souls because of our availability to speak the Word to them, whether it has been convenient or not. But it's not always about what we say. The greatest impact we can have is to just get involved.

Stay tuned for more frequent updates on the blog.

Back to One

2011-02-15T17:48:00.000+02:00

With so much planning and moving going on in the ministry, we must be careful not to lose our focus. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the task at hand, we forget why and for whom we serve. It seems that Jesus never faced this problem. He always knew exactly why he was doing what he was doing and he always attributed all the resources and glory to his Father in heaven. He knew why he was here. He set his face like a flint towards the cross and relied completely on his heavenly Father to bring him to that glorious hill. God wants to give us that same determination and focus in our own calling and mission. We are here to proclaim the good news of the Finished Work to those in darkness, with His faith, His motivation, His compassion, and His guidance. Only this way will we ever be able to fulfill our purpose as human beings in glorifying the one who created us, redeemed us, and commissioned us. Every morning I leave my house I need to be totally convinced that it is no longer I that liveth but Christ that liveth in me. He is my center. He is my focus. He is my goal. If that is my life then I don't have to be anxious about what comes next but I live in the spontaneity of His Divine nature within. There are too many options in the modern believer's life. We need to reduce it back to one: Jesus Christ. Only then will I find myself doing what I am called to do and with the right attitude and ability.

Things are going really well here in Helsinki, Finland. Our youth team is moving forward in every area, taking on more with a team of less. Last week we had a youth meeting with about 40 people and at least 3 new teens. Our youth are really looking forward to having Pastor Love here for our International Youth Event in July, as we know what an awesome time that will be.
Bible school is going well, with a full load of classes and around 15 students attending. We pray for more full time credit students, possibly some from other cities in Finland.
We are excited about what God will do here in 2011 in our church. The potential of expansion is so great and I pray that our expectation of faith can match that in this coming year. Keep our outreach in prayer as we pray about starting a youth outreach to go along with our regular outreach and Sunday school. It seems like a lot, but with God, nothing shall be impossible. And with you all supporting us in prayer, we may just see even more than what we expect happen this year. That is my desire.

Mathew Laflamme

To Russia With His Love

2011-01-11T18:22:00.001+02:00

Birthday Party

Russian Youth

Me with Nikita from Kaliningrad

After living in Finland for over one year now, I have finally made my first entry into the great country of Russia. Pastor Schaller, Pastor Juha, Pastor Kimmo, and I went with a small team across the border to our annual Winter Conference in St. Petersburg, hosted by our Greater Grace church which is located there. It was an amazing time of fellowship, conviction, brokenness, and growth in the midst of such quality believers. We were together practically all day for three days, with services, raps, meetings, personal fellowship, and outreach filling up our tight schedule. On Tuesday night we had a youth rap with about 15 people on the topic of how precious Jesus Christ is to God, to the Body, and to the individual believer. Afterwards we sang and discussed different topics late into the night. It was so good to be there and to connect with such beautiful believers. We are praying to have a youth conference there in April with young people from all of our Russian churches. Also we have invited them to come to our International Youth Event that we will have in July with Pastor Love. I believe God has not finished with His work in the great land of Russia and the young people raised up in our churches there will play a major role in the furtherance of the Gospel in the coming years.

While we were there, I was thinking of how many years our ministry has had an impact in that place. The first time someone from our ministry went there was in the mid-70s, while a young Pastor Schaller was leading the church in Helsinki, Finland. Over the years we have seen the ups and downs of church work in that part of the world. However, most importantly, we have seen what the Love of God can do in Russian people's lives. Many of our leaders in Greater Grace have spent time preaching the Gospel in Russia and the former Soviet states over the past 35 years, including Pastor Chris Moore, Pastor Matti Sirvio, Pastor Walsh, and many others. It truly is a key place for the advance of the glorious Gospel of Grace as we carry it onward into the uttermost parts of this fallen earth.

Turkey

2010-12-14T22:47:00.002+02:00

2010-12-14T22:47:00.001+02:00

It is so interesting to me how this world is set up. People spend their entire lives trying to avoid heartbreak, avoid despair, avoid trouble, meanwhile they become so preoccupied with avoiding it they live in the fear of it. Even as Christians, we tend to think of the Grace of God as a big bubble that keeps us safe from the worries and pressures of this life. However when we look at the scriptures we are amazed to find that all of the great things that happened and all the great characters that were revealed, were forged in the midst of serious trouble, persecution, and ungodliness. We try to avoid getting our feet dirty but the result is we end up never seeing God do anything amazing. We never see people freed from the power of demons, never see a wicked sinner turn to the Living God, and never see a sick man healed because we avoid these situations in the name of "guarding our heart" or not having an appearance of evil. I think people throw around those phrases too flippantly, just using them so that they can justify their spiritual laziness and their fear of getting involved in the lives of sinners. Jesus didn't do this. Philip didn't do this. Moses didn't do this. They lived for God and they got involved in the lives of troubled people. Let's allow God to put people in our lives that are troubled with demons, sickness, unbelief, and maybe He will also give us the dynamic Grace and wisdom to be Christ to these people. God can do amazing things through us in the power of the Holy Spirit if we would only be available. How can the Grace of God teach us to deny ungodliness if we shelter ourselves from ungodliness altogether. How can the light of our convictions shine when we hide it from the world in our little assemblies and parties. Let's stay on the move, stay close to the heartbeat of God, and stay tightly knit to the Body as we go on to win more by His Grace.

Here are some pictures from Turkey and Cyprus. I spent the last few weeks traveling to Berlin, Istanbul, and Cyprus and now I am in the USA for the month of December. When I return to Finland I will head to St. Petersburg with Pastor Schaller and then following that we will look towards our second semester of BIBLE SCHOOL in Helsinki. Our youth ministry in Finland is growing and we hope to see new young people in our Bible school there in this next semester. Keep us in prayer and the ministry in Helsinki. We have a vision to continue to reach Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, and farther out in places like Sicily, Cyprus, Egypt, China, and the uttermost parts of this crazy planet.

Cyprus

2010-12-14T22:44:00.000+02:00

Going Beyond What We Ask or Think

2010-11-14T01:10:00.000+02:00

Just got home from another amazing youth night this evening. The Lord has really been blessing us here lately in ways beyond our own futile expectations. I am constantly reminded that any expectation outside of a supernatural God is bound for disappointment, because it will always miss an appointment with the Divine.
Tonight I was so encouraged to see, in a little apartment in Lauttasaari, over forty young Finns gathered together to fellowship with God and hear a Word from His Throne. We had a guest speaker from Baltimore, Joe Lavoie, who has been a real encouragement to us here this past week. I continue to be amazed when I see how God uses different people in the Body to speak words of wisdom. Without even knowing situations at hand, the Holy Spirit fills their "open mouths" with specific and direct words to cut and to heal. During the message there are times where you can feel the Holy Spirit put His finger on something and say, "This is not of me. Let me deal with it. Let me bring you to a large place through the cross." It's amazing. That's what God is doing here.

Pray for more Bible School students next semester, and for young people here to burn with a consuming fire that compels them to go! Let us not waste our short time here on this earth! Let's redeem it!

Needs of the Body

2010-11-13T01:00:00.000+02:00

It's amazing when you really invest your time and life in a place how much you begin to see the great needs of people. Of course we are always bombarded and tempted to occupation with our own needs, but when you step outside your own little world for a minute, you realize the multitude of needs in others' lives. I was brought back to thinking about what Peter mentioned in I Peter 5:6-7 about humility and casting our cares upon the one who careth for us. The word used for 'cares' is very interesting to me. It means something that distracts and divides so that you cannot have oneness with God's mind in your thinking. These people Peter was speaking to, like us, were going through the fiery trials of their faith. In these trials they had an option: feed on the life of God or feed on your cares and allow them to distract and divide your mind. If we let our cares linger they will entangle us in a web of anxiety and stress. However, it's not only our cares that can entangle us. Many times as we identify and minister to people in the Body, we find ourselves carrying a heavy load upon our back: the cares of others. Is this how it should be? Am I here to bear these burdens alone? What is the solution for these things? Cast them. Immediately remove them from yourself and throw them upon God. Don't think about them, be occupied with them, or continue to allow them to entangle you. Cast them. This happens at the cross. That's why Peter leads into this principle by talking about humility; because this is an action that can only happen when I have surrendered all self-effort and self-occupation. I say, "I am not sufficient for these things", and I rifle them on the Father, leaving only the burden to pray, love, and encourage. What a light burden that is! What a joy it is to share that burden with Christ! Not entangled but free to serve, free to give, and free to bring people's needs before the loving Father who has all power to deal with the needs of His Body and the needs of His creation. We can rest in that.

Pray for us here in Finland. Pray for real revival among the young people.

The next few weeks I will be traveling to Berlin, Istanbul, Cyprus, and Baltimore, so keep those trips in prayer.

Our Branches Run Over the Wall

2010-10-28T23:42:00.001+03:00

   The last few weeks have been some of the deepest, funniest, craziest, and powerful weeks that I have ever experienced in my short Christian life. We went to Stockholm, Sweden with twenty of our awesome young people from the church here in Helsinki. It is amazing to see how bright our light shines amidst the thick darkness of this sick Western pseudo-culture. As we traveled from Helsinki, we had a Bible study on one of the main floors of the ship. It was amazing to see all the distractions that came immediately when the Bible was opened. It was just further clarification of how real the kingdom warfare is and how vital the trip was going to be for us. The first day we were there, we gathered for what was supposed to be a small meeting in Pastor Toll's apartment. When we arrived, we suddenly realized that there were over 35 people packed into the small living room. You could taste the presence of God there, it was so tangible. It is moving to see how God blesses His people when they take steps of faith and are available to allow His Throne ministry to flow. We spent the rest of the night there in worship, engaging in the Word, and fellowshipping together. The rest of the weekend flew by with meetings, Bible studies, outreach, and a lot of laughter. It was amazing to see some of our young people go soul-winning for the first time. One thirteen year-old boy came to me, holding a track in his hand and said, "How do I do this?" Haha! How angry could the old serpent be at that moment!
     We finished the weekend on Saturday night with the teens by having a youth meeting at a church located nearby one of the families in our church there in Stockholm. It was so amazing to see over forty-five Swedish and Finnish young people together worshiping God and listening carefully to His Word as it was dished out like fresh manna from heaven. We were all astonished how the young people in Sweden invited their friends from their schools and neighborhoods to come and listen to the gospel. There were no frills, no skits, no real sources of entertainment, just the pure gospel and the presence of God. I really felt like It was a night I'm sure none of us will forget.
    On this trip I really felt that we experienced what it says in Genesis 49:22 "Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall." We have been rooted and grounded by a well-spring of living water. It's a well that constantly provides us with a source of joy and motivation. We always have something to receive and we always have something to give because we live off of the well which is self-sustaining. God is keeping His garden, watering it every moment. And when we are nourished with that life, we cannot help but to grow. As we grow, our branches begin to run out over the walls in this world, bringing fruit to hungry people.This is what our trip was like to Sweden, and this is how our life is in this ministry.

Keep the youth in Sweden in prayer as many of them continue to make tough decisions to follow God and some maybe even heading to Baltimore to go to Bible school. God knows.

Turku Youth

He That Walketh With Wise Shall Be Wise

2010-10-05T23:32:00.000+03:00

Picture this: twelve young men from the age of thirteen to twenty-five huddled in a small living room with Bibles open. This is what we do every Monday night here in Helsinki. When I was in Finland a couple years ago we started these meetings and they have continued ever since. The way we usually do it is, we have some kind of topic or passage to read from the Bible. After some prayer and about fifteen minutes of quiet reading, we give time for anyone to give a thought for a couple minutes or ask a question. After that we have a guest speaker give a message from the passage or on the topic, whatever it may be. These meetings are done in a pretty informal way, which I think we all enjoy because it goes against the stereotypical "Finnish way" of doing things.
It is amazing to hear from these young Finnish disciples, they are really loaded and they are thinking people. Some of the greatest times that I have had were at these Bible studies. There is something so important and valuable about being with wise people. We know it says in Proverbs 4:7 that Wisdom is the principal thing. When we are put in a situation where the only thing we have to cling to is a word of wisdom that we heard at a Bible study three years ago in a dormitory living room, that verse becomes reality. God is faithful to put us into situations where we either exercise wisdom or we just snap. That is why it is so important to daily be in a place of receiving and operating in wisdom. We let wisdom build her house in our soul and we continually seek her for every situation.

Do You Want the "Good" or The Best?

2010-09-29T15:08:00.002+03:00

Lilias Trotter, a missionary to Algeria in the late 1800's said this challenging yet convincing statement: "Never has it been so easy to live in half a dozen good harmless worlds at once—art, music, social science, games, motoring, the following of some profession, and so on. And between them we run the risk of drifting about, the "good" hiding the "best." It is easy to find out whether our lives are focused, and if so, where the focus lies. Where do our thoughts settle when consciousness comes back in the morning? Where do they swing back when the pressure is off during the day? Dare to have it out with God. . . and ask Him to show you whether or not all is focused on Christ and His glory."
I feel that in this day in age, especially as young people, we are bombarded by the enemy with something very seducing yet very dangerous: a "good life". Why not? I mean, who does it hurt if I find some things that I really enjoy doing and I just fill my schedule with them, maybe fit in a decent job so that I can support myself in those good things? Does it hurt anybody? Actually in all reality it does. It hurts everybody. It hurts God because He designed you for the Best, and wants to give you what's Best. It hurts you because you are robbed of the reality of God's perfect will being manifested in your life and the true joy that comes from living in what's Best. It hurts the Body because they cannot share with you in the power and life of what's Best. It hurts the lost because while you are living in the realm of what is good and acceptable, you miss the Best opportunities which God ordained for you to reach them. Is it worth it? The only person it benefits is the Devil, because while you are living in what is good, he can keep you from what is Best, which is overcoming him in every step you take. Thirteen times the writer of Hebrews calls the life, ministry, and covenant of the person of Jesus Christ: "better." I'll go farther and say that it is The Best.

Sicily: An Open Door

2010-09-22T16:49:00.004+03:00

I remember being in Turkey about three and a half years ago and hearing Pastor Matti rehearse the vision that God had given him for the Mediterranean countries while he was visiting the country of Jordan. At the time we had little to no real presence as a ministry in the Mediterranean that I know of. This past week, a team of twenty-five of us from Baltimore, Marlboro, Romania, and Hungary, went to visit the new work in Messina, Italy which is on the east coast of Sicily. When we landed we were met by Pastor Virgil and he expounded on some of the things which he saw during the past year that he has been living there. He has prayed with over two hundred people there in Messina personally over the past year and a half. This is a response that he has never seen in Europe in the last decade of his life as a pastor in Romania and Italy. Just the first night we were there we talked with a group of six young Sicilian military men for about an hour. At first they did not seem so interested but as Pastor Virgil explained unto them the seriousness and simplicity of the Gospel of Grace they seemed to open up. A hunger for God became visible to us and after an hour or so they were all praying out loud in Itailan with us to be saved. Who knows what happened that night in their hearts, only time can tell and only God really knows. All I know is that during the week with Pastor Virgil and Pastor Scibelli we were exposed to a great number of open hearts and a new field for our ministry that plants us right in the very heart of the Mediterranean Sea. Just imagine what God could do there with a team of people and a few men wholly given to God like Joshua and Caleb. WHO KNOWS?

Words from Sweden

2010-08-09T14:26:00.000+03:00

Well, the month here in Sweden has come to an end. I will be on my way back to the states on Wednesday to gear up for the next move to Finland in September. It's been amazing to see how God has really stretched my capacity here and has been so faithful to give Words in season, divine "rhemas" that have been right on time. It's always surprising and actually very humbling when you here that something you have said has moved someone spiritually. Knowing the depths and wonders of our own depravity, we always can be positive it's a complete work of Grace. Also, isn't it amazing to see also how the Word comes at different times in the anointing? Sometimes it hits us like a hammer, breaking into pieces the little shards of the flesh so that we can't find a piece to draw water with. Other times it comes like dew in the morning, we don't even realize what it's doing until we awake to find ourselves drenched with His Goodness. However it comes though, it's always doing a work thats way beyond human ability and human understanding. It births within us new lines of sight, new perpectives, and new visions to go forward in the Mission. There's just no way we could possibly do this kind of work if it wasn't for that Sword that cuts on it's way through us and heals on it's way back.

It's been a real blessing to get to know the people here in Stockholm. We've spent many times together at the church on Sunday morning, or at houses on weeknights just having simple fellowship and listening to God in His Word as it is preached. We are being built up in Him. Also, it's been a time of great challenges, of course. However, God has been, and always will be, faithful to enlarge us in our distress through advances of the Spirit within. That is what I've seen in people here. They are all going through it, just like any one of us. But we all are brought to a place where we have to make the decision: Am I going to fall on the Rock and be broken, or will it fall upon me and leave my capacity crushed? We can get through anything if we choose to fall upon Jesus Christ and His Word.

Sweden, the people here, the times together, the vision to go forward in Scandanavia and beyond, all of these things I'm sure will stick with me. They are of eternal substance and their value can only grow with time. During this time we've seen new people coming to church (great stories), young people from Stockholm going to our youth camp in Finland, souls won to Christ, people growing in their faith, and much more. I am so excited to see what God will do with this country, these people, and this ministry in the next 10 years. Yes our minstry has had some success in this part of the world, and yes we are so grateful for it, but I say, "Let's do it all over again!" In a new, fresh way we can see God pour out a blessing on our unity and bring thousands into His Kingdom here, in the States, and all over the world in these end times. ....Right?

Questions

2010-08-09T14:21:00.000+03:00

I've been surprised at the questions I've received here in Sweden, especially from young people. I was witnessing in the center here in Stockholm a couple weeks ago and I stopped to give a couple tracks to some interesting looking teenagers. They were in somekind of "emo" group, whatever that is. There were skateboards flying around, cigarettes lighting up, and kids doing some really obnoxious things. However, in the midst of all this craziness there were a few guys who called to me and said "What are you doing, what's this paper all about?" I went on to explain what I what I was doing and they asked me to sit with them and talk about God. One of them had really been putting a lot of thought into it and had some great questions about Jesus and who he was and why Christianity is the only right belief system. We sat and talked for almost an hour until I had to leave.

One of the kids that I'm living with here, a sixteen year-old named Teodor (Teddy), had been talking with his friends about Christianity. They had many questions that he didn't feel equipped to answer so he asked me if I would meet with them. So we went down to the nearest soccer field and they came, about 7 of them. We played a little soccer and then Teddy said, "I think they want to listen to you now." So we sat and they began to ask me all kinds of questions about Christianity, God, miracles, heaven, hell, etc. It was amazing. I was really impressed with their searchings of heart and how much they had been thinking about these subjects. It was proof to me that God is really moving in the people of europe. I will continue to keep these kids in prayer and wait on God to draw them to Himself and put people in their life that will prod them with the gospel.

Next Phase

2010-07-20T19:07:00.001+03:00

Moving to Finland in September... Living in Sweden now until August 8th... posts coming soon

2009-05-23T13:19:00.000+03:00

MORE BLOGS AND PICTURES TO COME...STAY TUNED

Onward

2009-05-23T12:55:00.000+03:00

So my season here in Finland has come to an end. What amazing memories. What amazing people. What an amazing God. It has been a trip like none other here and it's tough to leave a place like this. Souls have been saved, bible studies started, prayers answered...God has truly done amazing things during this time in my life and here in Finland. Finland is in my heart for good. It will be amazing to see what God does here in these last days through this ministry and others alike. The Word of God runneth very swiftly (Ps. 147:15) and, as it has free course in us and through us (II Thess. 3:1), it will change many.

These last few weeks have been amazing. Our student outreach team (Kati, Jouni, Lauri, Miia, Johanna, Kirsi, Elvis (not Presley), Saija, Hanna, Me, and many more), had a great time Thursday and Friday night. On Thursday we passed out these Gospel CDs (containing Pastor Schaller's message, "What is Man?", a gospel message in Finnish by Pastor Juha, and Matt Roberge's song, "Is it True?") to about one hundred students in a student housing complex in the center of town, with tracks and invitations as well. The response was unbelievable. People loved it and it sparked great conversation amongst the curious students. Then, on Friday, we had our very first "Vertical Link Helsinki" meeting in the Helsinki University. We had an amazing time there with about twenty of us just praying, preaching, fellowshipping together and with some students afterward. We met one girl who had received a cd from us the night before. She said that she had listened to it and called her mother, who is a believer, to talk about the message. The Word truly does run very swiftly. Who knows whose lives are affected and how many prayers are answered when we go forth, not knowing what we're doing, and preach the gospel. Only God knows where His Word runs to. All I know is that it has run into my heart and is making it's way to many more through the breaking of the vessel.

For you in Helsinki, me, on my way to Stockholm, Sweden and Berlin, Germany, and all those reading this: ONWARD. DON'T LOOK BACK. DON'T BE SENTIMENTAL ABOUT YOUR NATURAL LIFE. MOVE FORWARD IN FAITH.

"And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." Joshua 3:5

Turkey: Istanbul

2009-05-13T13:06:00.000+03:00

Suddenly I found myself strolling down Istiklal street, gazing at a crowd of thousands of Turks. The cloud of black coats and unknown faces passing by so quickly that I barely had a moment to notice individual people. As we were walking, I was reminded of Christ walking the streets of Jerusalem. Thousands of people were passing him by, groping him, bumping him, but one lady really touched him and was delivered. I felt we have the same mission here on these streets. No matter the size of the crowd, I really believe God has those people there, just waiting for us to walk by and reveal Christ to them. As we were walking through the endless sea of people, we came to an old Catholic church. It was this church where we met an amazing girl last year who has been in our church ever since. It was just one of those times. We happened to be in a certain place, walking in faith, and the Lord brought someone to us. It's so easy to be overwhelmed by the masses of people in Turkey, or depressed by the lack of them in Finland, but no matter the place God has these precious people there, waiting. We spent some time there soulwinning and then headed off to eat with the Pastor Matti and the team.

It was such a great trip to be there in Turkey again. I took with me Jope (or Tekno as we know him) from Helsinki. It was his first time in Turkey and I believe he had an awesome time there. I had so much fun with Roger and Lizzy Robbins and to see them in action as missionaries in Turkey was really refreshing. They have a great ministry and I believe the church will really grow because of having them there. It was so great to see my friends again; Umid, Ilhan, Faruk, Kemal, Clifford, Alp, and all the amazing people there. The church there is really a light shining in a dark place. They have the life, the message, and the vision that people need there in Istanbul. Keep Pastor Matti and the team there in prayer as they move into the summer months. Pray that the Turkish people in the church can get visas and come to Baltimore for convention as well. God Bless Turkey.

Trust God and Do the Next Thing

2009-04-30T13:35:00.000+03:00

I've been back in Finland now a few days after traveling to Turkey, and I've been thinking about our lives as believers. What do we do with our past, our present, and our future? I think what we need as disciples, is to live the "tight rope" life of faith. It seems that our life is kind of like that. Just think about someone who learns to walk the tight rope. He has to start small, with tiny steps, and very small risk. At the beginning, the trainer is there, walking with him, holding his hand, and instructing him in each step. This is a very important time in the trainee's life because he's learning to trust his trainer. That trainer is building in that person an amazing capacity: the capacity to go across that tight rope at high speed, with no fear, and with a 50 foot drop below. In everything the trainer does, his goal is to safely bring the trainee to that point. In a way, I think this is what God is trying to do with our life. At first maybe we walk very slowly, maybe we don't really make any radical decisions, and just getting to church can be a challenge. But as we walk with the Master we start to realize the potential He has put in us to live radically. He is always there, loving the fear right out of us as we grow. We begin to move, faster and with more risk. I begin to realize as I look at the 50 foot drop below me that, "Hey, what's the big deal anyways? I have been given all grace, all wisdom, all power, and all ability in Him! My life is not my own, I've been bought with a price! If I fall, I fall in Grace, and God is able to make me stand! Who cares about the risk of humiliation, ridicule, disdain, or even death? I have God!"
When that person is on the rope he really only has two things in his mind: The next step, and the finish line. We are trusting that God is real, He is in us, dwelling richly, and He has given us what it takes for the next step. So what if I've messed up in the past? Now, I'm just trusting God and doing the next thing. I'm not worried about 5 days from now, I'm occupied with Christ in the Eternal Is of RIGHT NOW! Like Paul, I have my goal, my "mark", which I am pressing towards. I have my Promised Land set before me, but right now I'm occupied with each step I take as I cross the Jordan River with the Ark on my shoulders. God is parting the waters, God has possessed the Land for me, God has given me His presence and His power; I am just trusting Him and moving forward.
We need this kind of life. The world is too evil, too crazy, and too small minded. Thank God He has given us all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Let's utilize them right now in a radical way! Let's forget the past, rifle our worries for the future at the cross, and run across that rope believing God for every step.

Pray for us this week for these amazing upcoming events:
- Concert in Metro Tunnel 4/30, Jesus March 5/1, Trip to Porvoo 5/2, Finland Tour with Roger, Lizzie, Miia 5/3-5/8, and also upcoming trips to Estonia, Sicily, Germany, Czech, and possibly even Sweden.

Eurocon: Drinking from the Brook in the Way

2009-04-04T22:45:00.000+03:00

"He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head" Psalm 110:7

Whether you're playing backyard football at Honeygo Park on a Sunday night at 12 o'clock or a quick game of sähly with the Finns after church, you always need a solid time of refreshment. As Soldiers of the Call, it can be so easy to plow through our life without stopping and drinking from the brook in the way. It's so easy for ministry to become routine when we're not being refreshed. We pour out, pour out, pour out, but sometimes forget to just sit and receive. We have been called, equipped, and trained to go out and work the fields. However, in that call, God has put provisions of Grace where we can receive refreshment from the Throne of God. Think about Abraham's servant in Genesis 24 who was "in the way and the Lord led him". Where did the Lord lead him to? He led him to a well. It was at that well that Rebekah gave him a drink to refresh him on his journey.

To me, Eurocon was really a time of refreshment for me in the midst of the Work. I felt like I was just sitting at the well and God was drawing out Living Water for me to drink. Seeing all the servants who are daily laying down their lives on the field: refreshing. Hearing the anointed messages from true men of God: refreshing. Late night raps at the Turkish Restaurant with Pastor Schaller: refreshing. Times like those will be lasting refreshment for months to come. While at Eurocon, my vision was refreshed. My love for the Bible was refreshed. My fire for the lost was refreshed. The importance of intercessory prayer in my heart was refreshed. It is so good to be in a ministry where this need for refreshment is so well understood.

God is so faithful to lead us to those wells of refreshment and say "Just sit. Relax. Drink." Stop worrying about the details, cast your cares upon me, and just relax. Let's look for the wells of refreshment that God puts in our way daily. It could be a time of fervent prayer. Or maybe just a solid conversation with someone. It might even just be a ridiculously good döner kebab on the streets of Berlin: REFRESHING! God has a well of deliverance in every situation, from which, with joy, we draw waters of refreshment for our souls. (Is. 12:3) Let's be fresh, alert, and focused as we live this life of faith in the reality of the Kingdom of God. How? Just stop and drink.

Back

2009-04-01T15:50:00.000+03:00

Just got back from my trip to Budapest, Berlin, and Brasov. The triple B trip. It was amazing. Stay posted for a more detailed blog about the trip. Just letting everyone know I'm still alive and going forward!

God Bless!

Henceforth Expecting

2009-03-11T21:50:00.000+02:00

Pastor Scibelli arrives Thursday (Tomorrow), here in Helsinki. He'll be with us all weekend preaching and teaching on Missions and I believe God's heart will be revealed for sure. I fly with him on Monday to Budapest for the conference. It will be so great to spend the week with the family that we have all over the world. There will people coming from America, Europe, Russia, and Central Asia to join in the fellowship. After this, I'll be flying to Berlin, Germany for a few days and then to Romania. After that trip I'll be headed back here for more! It should be a great time and anointed for sure. Keep us in your prayers and maybe I'll even see you at Budapest. God Bless.

Report from the Field: Jyväskylä

2009-03-11T21:15:00.000+02:00

What an awesome time we had in Jyväskylä this past weekend. Our hearts were stirred to see young people come from 5 cities (Jyväskylä, Hämeenlina, Helsinki, Vaasa, and another city, which I can't remember the name of) to gather together in joy and listen to God speak to us.

Matti Kraama and I landed at Jyväskylä's TINY airport Saturday night and headed straight for the meeting place. I was blessed to see the room filled with about 30, or so, young joyful Finns, Filipinos, American's, and Africans gathered together to worship Christ. We had songs, food, and a message on having changed lives. As the rap ended, we realized we had been there for about 5 hours, and we still were standing around wanting more.

Here in Finland, the hunger for the Word is so great among many young people and definitely growing among others. My prayer is too see many of these young people be raised up as missionaries, preachers, counselors, teachers, Bible students, prayer warriors, and most importantly manifesters of the Life of Christ everywhere they go. If they keep living through the cross, drawing near, delighting in God and His word, and receiving from Christ, their source, than I believe this will most definitely be the case. These young Finns will go all over the world, bringing this most amazing gospel to lost souls, just like P. Matti Sirvio, Heidi and Arto Niukkanen, P. Ben Turkia, and many other amazing servants of God. For I believe it will be even as God has said it.

He is for us... so tell me... who exactly can be against us? (Rom. 8.31, I John 5.18b, Ps. 124, Acts 5:39)

" Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies."

Psalm 108:13

On the Road Again

2009-03-06T00:05:00.001+02:00

It seems like we just got back from Sweden, but here we go again! On our way to Jyväskylä this weekend to have like a mini youth conference with about 30 people. Praying for an awesome time, anointed by God, and moving forward in oneness here as a ministry in Finland. Thanks for your prayers and your lives. Two words: Eternal Is ... think about it.

Other Upcoming Events:

- Pastor Scibelli and the Missions Conference here next weekend

- EUROCON (with trips to Berlin and Romania following)

- Easter Conference in Vaasa in April

- Weekly outreach to student housing on Thursdays

- Youth meetings on Saturdays

- Young Men's Bible Studies on Mondays

- Other Meetings, trips, and events as God leads

Changed

2009-03-05T22:50:00.000+02:00

"... nor turn again by the same way that thou camest ..." I Kings 13:9b

I was thinking today while strolling the sunny streets of Helsinki, people need change. We saw in our last election in the States that the people of this world seeking the reality of the word that graced almost every billboard and newspaper in the country for months: CHANGE. I think everyone in the world is searching for it in some way. Why do you think women worry so much about their hair, or businessmen about their new car and new suit? It always has to be different and better. I believe there's some real truth to that search.

It says in the Bible that we're created in God's image, but because of sin we've been changed. We've fallen from that image. Now it's God's mission to take us by Grace and to conform us into a new image: His Son. Our entire being is yearning for that change. God has a certain individual design for each one of us and He is in the process of transforming us into it. Every single situation that we go through is an opportunity for God to transform us, whether by sight it seems good or bad. How does He do it? "How is this change possible?" you might ask. I'll tell you, it's by going through the cross, losing all consciousness of self, through death, entering into resurrection life and seeing the glorified face of Jesus Christ. When we see that face, then we are like Him. We don't realize as we look at Christ, the Holy Spirit is within us, changing us from the inside-out. He's changing us into His image. We look into the mirror of Divine Perspective and we see our face, but at the same time it's His. This is what Paul says in II Corinthians 3:18 and I John 3:2. This is the amazing paradox of the kingdom of heaven: we are 100% ourselves in our individuality, yet 100% Christ's very image. AMAZING!

I feel, as many of us are preparing to go to Eurocon and many other trips, that God is saying a similar instruction to us like the one he gave the man of God in I Kings 13:9: "you shall not return again the same way that you came." I stumbled upon this part of this verse and I thought about how true this is for us. God is sending us out, whether it's Eurocon, Africa, Asia, Baltimore, work, school, whatever it is, and is saying, "don't come back the same way that you came, but let me take you a new way, just trust me." God want's to refresh us, change us, because He doesn't want us to live in a mechanical routine, but in the newness of His Life. Even if I've done something before or read something before, it's not the same, because I have changed. I see it differently because I'm walking in the newness of life.

People in the world are looking for change but are only finding themselves becoming conformed to a system. What they really need is not a new car, or a new suit, or a new hair color, but it's a new heart and a new reality. They need a transformed life from the inside-out. Let's walk in new paths, fresh ways to look at the things we do and and know, let's be transformed by the renewing of our mind.

Copenhagen

2009-02-23T18:52:00.000+02:00

There's something about the streets of Copenhagen that didn't seem right to me. It may have just been the fact that we had gotten up at 5:00 a.m. after a long night, flown to Copenhagen airport, and it was still only nine in the morning. But in any case it was dark. I've been to many "dark" cities like Berlin, Dublin, Istanbul, but this place was different, at least I thought so. While we wandered about looking for a place to sit and eat I felt like the atmosphere was pressing down on us. The atmosphere continued to press as we quickly got lost in the all so similar looking streets of this famous Danish city. As we tried to find our way I was quietly praying, "God, you've got to do something. There are so many people, so many cities like this one who seem to lack any kind of spiritual light. God, use us...use our ministry and others alike to reach these people and these cities while we are still here on this earth." I was imagining what the world will be like after the rapture, after the only light on earth is taken away. For some time there will be no more joyous assemblies. No more true gospel messages. No more street preachers. No more gospel tracks being handed out. No more believers going door to door bringing the light of the gospel. No more sketchboard. No more words of faith. How important is it that we use our time wisely and bring the light to this dark world while we are still here? The world needs what we have. They need the fullness, the joy, the intimacy, the security, and the consistency that the Life of Christ brings into our lives when we believe. If only they would receive, these streets of Copenhagen would be full of laughter and singing. People would be excited about living each day and they would love with all of their hearts. This is our burden and our desire, that God would give us these cities and fill the churches with hungry believers who have tasted and seen that Lord is good. Praise God that we have this life and that we can give it to others as we preach, evangelize, and reveal Christ everywhere we go in every area of our lives.

Upcoming Events to Pray for

2009-02-19T16:25:00.000+02:00

Here's some of the things coming up in the near future here on the field:

- Trip to Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmo, Sweden. 2/20-23

- Pastor's meeting in Tampere, Finland (Discussing many things including new church plants in Finland). 2/28

- Trips to Vaasa, Finland in April and May including Easter Seminar.

- Pastor Scibelli and the Missions Conference here in Helsinki before Eurocon. 3/13-15

- EUROCON

- Trips after Eurocon (Berlin, Prague, possibly Romania)

- Trip to Turkey hopefully in May

- Trip to Palermo, Italy in April or May

- Starting trips to Porvoo, Finland in March and April.

- Trip to Yvaskyla, Finland in April or May.

- Trip to St. Petersburg, Russia in Spring.

- Continuing Young Men's Bible Studies on Mondays, Student Outreach on Thursdays, Teen Evangelism and Youth Meetings on Saturdays.

"Jesus Only, Jesus Ever"

2009-02-10T20:32:00.000+02:00

A phrase that Oswald Chambers had said once really hit me today while on a train coming back from the small nearby city of Hämeenlina: "Jesus Only, Jesus Ever." I was thinking, "What am I doing here? What's the most important thing in my life? Is it my work here on the mission field? Is it preaching? Is it soulwinning? Is it Bible College? Is it studying, prayer, church... What is it?" And then it hit me... Jesus... Jesus only... Jesus Christ is why I am here. I didn't get here on my own. I got here by following him in faith. My life is not my own, but it's his. Have I forgotten Jesus? Has he gotten lost in the midst of the details of life? Maybe for a moment, but thank God the Holy Spirit will never fail to bring me back to the reality of the living Christ. Look again at him on his throne. Is there anything that can compare to his majesty? Is there anywhere else where you can find and experience the very FULLNESS of God that is in him? Who was it that shed his perfect, precious blood on the cross? Who else can plead my case before the throne of God in heaven? Who has the right? Who is qualified? ... Jesus... Jesus Only. It is he that died in my place. It is he that nailed all the documents and records of sin to that cross. It is he that chose to lay down his own life so that I, through death, could experience true life in him. That same life that can give sinners the assurance of eternal life, alcoholics victory over their addiction, drug addicts a clean and pure life, depressed people unspeakable joy and clarity of thought... Who else has this life? Who else can even come close in comparison? Who else would we preach? Who else would we give our lives to? Jesus Only. It's only him and forever him. Only his sacrifice was ONCE and for ALL. Only he has sat down at the right hand of the Father to give us a place of rest in him eternally. Only he has the power to be our advocate forever in the courtroom of God. Only the stains of his blood will forever be so fresh upon the Mercy Seat in the Temple of Heaven. Jesus Ever... He will never leave us and never forsake us... He has overcome the grave and the fear of death... He ... He is MY Savior, MY King, and MY friend. Will I fail him at times? Most definitely. But will he see it? Never. Will he love me at all times? Yes. Now? Yes. Forever? Forever. In HIM we live, move, and have our being. JESUS ONLY... JESUS EVER.

The Words of the Wise

2009-01-27T02:00:00.000+02:00

The words of the wise are as goads, nails fastened by the masters of assemblies which are given from one shepherd. Words. The words of the wise. Where can you find these words? As you walk the snowy streets of Helsinki these words can be hard to find. We stop people out in front of the mall in Kamppi we ask, "Have you heard these words?" You can go into the bars or the night clubs, which are so well attended on a saturday night, and ask, "Have you heard these words?" Usually no will be the response to this all important question. Why is it that so many have not heard? It seems to me that truth, the words of truth, are truly "fallen in the street."

"I have loved you with an everlasting love and with lovingkindness I will draw you."

"We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."

"Therefore there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." Precious words. These words should fill our minds and overflow into our conversation.

We finished our informal young men's Bible study tonight with a good season of fervent prayer. What a blessing it is to find an apartment in Helsinki, Finland that is full of the Spirit and full of young men ready to hear from God. As the Word was being spoken, each phrase seemed to cut through the air, whose "prince" seemed to lose his power in this apartment. Words of faith filled the room. Young men getting their hands on the book, their fingers on the pages, and their minds wrapped around each thought. We are so privileged to have these words fastened into our hearts in such a way. Each one cutting, making it's corrections, and then heading for our hearts to be stored for later use. Can we measure what each word from God does when it has free course in the heart of a man? "The word runneth very swiftly" (Ps. 147:15) and "it will not return unto God void, but it shall accomplish that which He pleases and it shall prosper in the thing whereto He sent it." (Is. 55:11) It's effects are eternal and exponential.

I love Christ's charge to Peter in Acts 5:20, "Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life." This is our life, our vocation (Eph. 4:1). There's nothing like seeing someone receive words of life into their heart for the first time. We are praying that God would give us boldness in preaching like He gave to the apostles in that day. A radical faith and a radical message that goes hard against today's society, that's what this world needs to hear.

Keep us in prayer here, that the word of God would increase and the number of the disciples would multiply greatly. (Acts 6:7)

Mathew Laflamme

VISION

2009-01-27T01:49:00.000+02:00

Here's some things to keep in prayer:

- Youth Trips to Yvaskyla, Kuopio, Stockholm, Sweden...maybe others as well.

- Mission trips to Ukraine, Russia, Estonia, Sweden, Denmark, Czech Republic, Germany, Palermo, Sicily, Turkey...and more.

- Eurocon

- We are looking to start something in a nearby city of Porvoo in March.

- Monthly trips to Vaasa.

- Growth in Youth Ministry and Young Adults Ministry here in Helsinki and all of our churches in Finland.

- Power, boldness, and wisdom in our evangelism and new people in the church from the streets.

- The Grace of God would really be revealed to people in each of it's many facets.

- Disciples

- more to come...

Mat Laflamme