2012 Guest Speakers: Arpad Horvath-Kavai

To introduce you to this year's guest speakers, we will bring you a series of short profile interviews with each of the pastors who have accepted our invitation to teach God's Word at this summer's conference.

With less than two weeks to go before this year's gathering in Stockholm, Hungarian pastor and program director at Calvary Chapel Bible College Europe, Arpad Horvath-Kavai, is getting ready for his first ever Scandinavian conference. And he and his wife Andrea, who is teaching the women's workshop at this year's conference, is anticipating a great first encounter with Scandinavia:

"I have had an inexplicable love for all things Scandinavian throughout my entire life. I love the crime show Wallander (the original Swedish version) and Forbrydelsen (the original Danish version - can hardly wait for the 3rd season to start this September). More importantly there are people connecting me to Scandinavia; former missionaries and friends who serve in Scandinavian countries, as well as former students of mine at CCBCE who are Scandinavian."

When did you first know that God was calling you to pastor and/or teach the Bible?
"I used to translate Bible studies from English into Hungarian and Croatian, and I often found myself wishing to teach the study. When seeking God, He confirmed He has teaching in store for me."

For you, what is the most rewarding thing about being a pastor?
"Changed lives, no question."

What is the toughest part about being a pastor?
"The stories of sin, and stories of ill consequences sin causes."

What book are you reading right now?
"The Demise of Guys by Philip Zimbaro."

This will be your 1st Scandinavian conference. What do you expect?
"I am expecting God to work, fellowship with the saints (Psalm 133), lots of IKEA furniture and my wife is looking forward to H&M stores on every corner :)"

See also:
2012 Guest Speakers: Phil Metzger
2012 Guest Speakers: Mark Walsh
2012 Guest Speakers: Nate Holdridge

You can sign up for the 2012 Calvary Chapel Scandinavia Conference right here.

2012 Guest Speakers: Phil Metzger

To introduce you to this year's guest speakers, we will bring you a series of short profile interviews with each of the pastors who have accepted our invitation to teach God's Word at this summer's conference.

One of the speakers who is set to make his Scandinavian debut this year is Phil Metzger. As pastor of Calvary Chapel (CC) Budapest in Hungary and director of CC Bible College Europe, he is well-acquainted with the challenges of teaching God's Word on hard soil.

He currently oversees church plants throughout Eastern Europe, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. He and his wife Joy has been on the mission field for 15 years, and they have four children: Niki, Karina, Judah, and Hannah. This summer's conference will be the American pastor's first ever visit to Scandinavia.

You're a busy man, involved in ministries across the continent. Why have you taken time out of your schedule to come to Scandinavia this August?
We have so many friends serving up there and we are always hearing about the good things God is doing. It's a joy to finally get to be at this conference.

When did you first know that God was calling you to pastor and teach the Bible?
When I was 17 and teaching my first Bible study I felt God's call. I'm pretty sure the Bible study was aweful, but God used it in my life!

For you, what is the most rewarding thing about being a pastor?
When God changes a life... it's like a drug!

What is the toughest part about being a pastor?
Probably two things: the disappointment of people rejecting God's wisdom and my own failings and weaknesses.

What books are you reading right now?
A Journey To See by Mary Chapman, and the story of Condeleeza Rice.

This will be your 1st Scandinavian conference. What do you expect?
My hope is for God to refresh all of us!

See also:
Guest Speakers 2012: Mark Walsh
Guest Speakers 2012: Nate Holdridge

2012 Guest Speakers: Mark Walsh

To introduce you to this year's guest speakers, we will bring you a series of short profile interviews with each of the pastors who have accepted our invitation to teach God's Word at this summer's conference.

Among the guest speakers this year is Mark Walsh, who thereby will take part in his third Scandinavian conference after attending the conferences back in 2005 and 2006 (the latter as a guest speaker).

In your own words, who are you?
I am a 50 year old englishman currently serving in New Zealand as the Senior Pastor and Director of Calvary Chapel Bible Institute. My wife Gwyn and I, along with our two kids Becky and Jordan, have been serving as missionaries for the last 15 years in Austria, Hungary and now middle earth.

When did you first know that God was calling you to pastor and/or teach the Bible?
I had a heart for service and ministry right from the time I was converted in 1978. I was involved firstly in worship leading. After about 10 years of struggling with my calling, I accepted the fact that God was calling me in that direction and then just became more and more involved in ministry.

For you, what is the most rewarding thing about being a pastor?
Simply being where I am in the center of God's will for my life. That's not really about being a pastors, that is just about being believer.

What is the toughest part about being a pastor?
The continued battle with discouragement.

What book(s) are you reading right now?
Mainly the Bible, but also Spurgeon on spiritual leadership and the book Abide In Christ by Andrew Murray. I tend to read for the the things I am studying and teaching.

Why have you accepted the invitation to be a guest speaker at this year's conference in Scandinavia?
I have a heart for Europe and Scandinavia and have some very special long-term friendships in that area that are also very special to me.

This will be your 3rd Scandinavian conference and your 2nd time speaking. How do you feel about being invited back?
It's always nice to be invited anywhere :) It's been a while, though, so I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone has grown.

See also:
2012 Guest Speakers: Nate Holdridge

2012 Guest Speakers: Nate Holdridge

Tonight there is exactly three weeks until the 2012 Calvary Chapel Scandinavia Conference kicks off outside Stockholm.

To introduce you to this year's guest speakers, we will bring you a series of short profile interviews with each of the pastors who have accepted our invitation to teach God's Word at this summer's conference.

One of these guest speakers is Nate Holdridge who, at 34, is the lead pastor at Calvary Monterey in California. He is married to Christina with whom he has three daughters (Lauren, Violet, and June). This will be Pastor Nate's second Scandinavian conference as he also taught as a guest speaker at the 2009 conference.

When did you first know that God was calling you to pastor and/or teach the Bible?
I was 18 years old, reading a book by Pastor Chuck Smith, when God spoke to my heart clear as a bell, "I've called you to teach my word." I seriously held out hope that he meant as a children's ministry volunteer, but that never materialized, as He intended the pastorate for me.

For you, what is the most rewarding thing about being a pastor?
There are many joys in it, but my greatest reward comes from knowing I am doing what the Chief Shepherd has asked me to do. That brings any Christian incredible joy.

What is the toughest part about being a pastor?
Watching sin decimate people you love.

What book(s) are you reading right now?
Life of Elijah by A.W. Pink.
Christ's Prophetic Plans by John MacArthur.
Lectures To My Students by Charles Spurgeon.
Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell.

Why have you accepted the invitation to be a guest speaker at this year's conference in Scandinavia?
The Hawaii conference never called. Plus, having been to Scandinavia a few times, my impression is that it isn't the easiest place to profess Christ. I simply want to encourage and help the believers there in any way I can.

This will be your 2nd Scandinavian conference. How do you feel about being invited back?
I couldn't be more excited. This year I will bring Christina, my wife, and I think we will really treasure our time with the church body at the conference. Plus, I am really looking forward to demonstrating what pure domination looks like during the Viking Games.