 |
Revive Sweden
Strategic Church Multiplication to Save a Nation
|
Jim and Lynn Jarman
National Directors Sweden - Converge
European Strategic Partners Team - ReachGlobal
Church Multiplication Catalysts - New Life Network Sweden
Newsletter #17 - July - September, 2017
|
What an honor it is to serve God in Sweden! After an extremely busy summer including moving to a new apartment - we are now fully engaged in the active fall season of church life. The leaves are starting to turn color, the
autumn rains and accompanying cold wind have begun, and the days are noticeably shorter. Now we rejoice in the warmth of friendships, the taste of good, strong coffee, and the beauty that this season offers all on its own.
In choosing to follow God's call and make our home in Sweden - we have discovered the beautiful Swedish rhythm that embraces each time of year. God is the Lord of both springtime and harvest and he has a time and a purpose for everything under the sun.
This fall, the New Life Network is studying "Planting and Sowing" and after the new year we will look at "Harvesting and Reaping". For those of us who follow Christ in the Nordic region, we earnestly desire the seeds that we sow for Christ to reap a bountiful harvest for eternity. As you celebrate autumn wherever you might live - when you see the signs of this season around you - would you remember that Jesus said the "fields are white unto harvest" and "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."
We could not be doing what God has called us to do without you. Together we are asking, seeking, and knocking on God's door - for a harvest in your city and in Sweden. Thank you for all you do for us.
Your friends,
Jim and Lynn
|
"
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:13-14
Here is our journey during July, August, and September.
|
|
|
Greetings from Sweden - and YES, the water's COLD!!! Swedes do not let things like weather and water temperature stop them from enjoying life to the full. This is the swimming platform in Liljeholmen - our Stockholm neighborhood on Lake Målaren.
|
|
|
|
In early July, New Life hosted a retreat for both Swedish and Latvian women. Over 60 people traveled from Latvia for the occasion which was organized by New Life member, Ilona Wetterud. Here Anders Berghult and Lynn get ready to prepare a wonderful meal.
|
|
|
| New Life Associate Pastor Kjell Waern and his wife Magan have served our church for many years. His gifted teaching and counsel have helped many on their journey of faith. Kjell will be retiring at the end of October - and Magan and he will be seeking God's direction for their next steps in ministry. They are dear friends. |
|
|
|
In July, we met 300 ReachGlobal colleagues from around Europe at the biannual Europe Division Conference in Portoroz, Slovenia. ReachGlobal is a leader in setting the standard of supporting European partners as they share the gospel in their nations.
|
|
|
|
In late July, our friends Mark and Jodi Revell and their sons, Jonah and Parker, visited New Life Stockholm and us. Mark is the Budapest City Team Leader for ReachGlobal. The New Life multicultural, multi-site model is gaining a strong reputation across Europe.
|
At the end of July, we moved once again - our third time in 2 years. This apartment is a gracious gift from God. We can stay for 23 months and have this wonderful view. Moving and setting up a home is never easy, but it is part of life in Stockholm where 580,000 people are in queue for first contract housing. Stockholm is Europe's fastest growing city.
|
|
|
Pastor John van Dinther and translator Gunilla Bäcks teach the people of Stockholm how God loves and accepts them - and how we should do the same for each other. John is a true movement leader and it is our joy to support him.
|
|
|
|
In August, a team from Hillside Church (Converge) in Bloomington, MN, came to Stockholm to serve the New Life Network. Pastor Bob Bakke (far right) taught at our leadership day and family camp while his team taught our children.
|
|
|
|
Just before our church camp, we had a 24 hour leadership day where over 100 leaders from all 7 New Life sites came together to interact, connect, grow and pray. Jim and Lynn were the facilitators of this day. Here Andreas Palm, site pastor at New Life Sollentuna leads a break out session on spiritual gifts.
|
|
|
The New Life Network annual church camp is always a special time for our 7 sites. This year over 470 people gathered together in the heart of Sweden for a weekend of awesome teaching, worship, prayer, and fellowship. Here 12 people from 4 different nations follow Christ by being baptized.
|
|
|
Our partners from Minnesota's Aspen Grove Network had a strong presence at our church camp as well. Here are Drew and Lauren Johnson - pastors at Mercy Hill Church in Minnetonka - and Aaron and Kal Sorenson - pastors at Crow River Church in Delano. These experienced church planters came with hearts to serve our church planters.
|
|
|
At the end of August, the New Life Network had a week of prayer at all sites. We fervently asked God to bring revival to Sweden. We do not want to do anything unless God's presence leads the way. Here Pastor John van Dinther prays for the people of New Life.
|
|
|
|
Our "baby" church site - New Life Mission Road - is only 6 months old and already 30-40 people are meeting weekly at this "site within a site" - a unique concept in church planting. Here site leaders Freddy David, Andrea Keller, and Andreas Forslund share the interactive teaching time. More New Life sites are in the dreaming/planning stages.
|
|
|
|
It is our joy to also serve other church movements across the continent with ReachGlobal Europe's Strategic Partner Team. Here's the team at our September meeting in Budapest in this artistic photo rendering.
|
|
|
Teaching God's word is our passion. On 24 September, Jim preached at New Life Stockholm - the regional "mother" church for the Network. Our theme this fall is planting and sowing. Lynn will be preaching here on 1 October. Sermons can be heard online at
|
|
|
|
Would you pray for Sweden? This is Gamla Stan - the Old City of Stockholm - as seen from Stadshuset - the City Hall of Stockholm. Please pray for an awakening to sweep this nation - not just in Stockholm - but all across Sweden - in Göteborg, Västerås, Malmö, and all our cities. And pray for us as we serve the wonderful people of this land.
|
|
Please continue to pray for us!
Thank God for answered prayer for our housing.
We needed to move this summer and God gave us a 2 year lease
on a nice place in our same neighborhood.
Please pray for our finances - and thank him for providing.
We have a shortfall in our monthly funding
but God is miraculously providing through our partners.
Autumn is always a busy time in church life. Lynn and Jim both have numerous preaching and teaching times scheduled.
Pray for us as we enter the dark, winter months - that God will give us strength, health, and energy.
Please pray for us as we coach our church planters and site leaders and as we help the network plan for what God wants to do this year. Pray for new sites to begin and many lives to be changed.
To become a monthly partner - or to send a special gift
please click on our name below and go to our profile page.
The giving link is easy to use.
Thank you for remembering us and Sweden!
Jim and Lynn
Why not friend us on Facebook and enjoy our journey regularly!
|
|
|
|
I urge you - in view of God's mercy - to offer your bodies as living sacrifices - holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship.
Romans 12:1
(From the chapter we chose as our lifelong desire when we were married)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
