What this year's guest speakers thought of the 15th annual Calvary Chapel Scandinavia Conference.
The five guest speakers at the
2013 conference all pastor churches or ministries that are significantly larger in numbers than any of the Calvary Chapel (CC) ministries in Scandinavia. However, each of them left this conference encouraged and touched by the faithfulness and endurance of those serving in Scandinavia and by God's solid and slowly evolving work. Here are their reactions to and thoughts on this year's conference near Stockholm, Sweden.
Bil Gallatin, CC Finger Lakes
The perhaps most experienced of the guest pastors - measured solely by years of ministry - was Bil Gallatin, who was one of the pastors whom God used to bring the ministry of CC to the East Coast of the United States back in the 1970's as the so-called Jesus Movement spread from California to the rest of the country. While pastoring in New York state for decades, he has also been involved in various outreach ministries in Europe, but this year was the first time he attended the Scandinavian conference - and it made an immediate impression on him.
"It reminded me of Costa Mesa when it all started. It's exciting to see and to be a part of it. I go home praying that men and women in the United States would not be afraid of taking the steps of faith that you are taking here and that they would realize how God honors it. Scandinavia is clearly Acts chapter 2013," said Bil Gallatin.
David Guzik, CC Santa Barbara
As one of the co-founders of the Scandinavian conference 15 years ago (and married to Inga-Lill, who is originally from Sweden),
David Guzik is no stranger to the region and its ministry conditions. This year he attended the conference for the 13th time along with Inga-Lill, and he enjoyed the opportunity to reunite with all those who serve here year in and year out.
"Each ministry here and the people in them seem to be growing, and more ministries are being prayerfully prepared. But it is slow work here and we have to be patient with God's work in this region. It's a unique work of God and we have to be humble about that and be faithful as it unfolds. It was a real blessing for Inga-Lill and I to revisit all those who serve here so faithfully, and to meet some of the new people who are joining the work in Scandinavia. We are always filled with joy and encouragement when we come here," he said.
Stan Marinussen, Cross Culture CC Amsterdam
Serving only a few hours's drive south of the Scandinavian region, Stan Marinussen pastors the church Cross Culture Calvary Chapel Amsterdam just outside the Dutch capitol. Since the post-Christian culture in the Netherlands is not all that different from that of Scandinavia, pastor Stan felt that he himself got just as much out of the conference as anybody else, being strengthened and encouraged.
"I thought it was absolutely great. I was pleasantly surprised to see the fervor and love of the people serving in Scandinavia. It was just wonderful to see God working in and through the Scandinavian people as He used people to touch lives at the conference. For my wife and I personally, God really used the conference to bless us, strengthen us, and encourage us - we leave here more charged for ministry than when we arrived," he said.
Jeremy Foster, CC Bible College Europe
As director of the English program at CC Bible College Europe in Vajta, Hungary pastor Jeremy Foster sees many aspiring missionaries come through semester after semester. That is how his connection to Scandinavia initially came about, and this year was his second time as a guest speaker at a Scandinavian conference, this time attending along with his wife Christi.
"I loved it. I really felt that the love I have for this part of the world and the saints serving here has really grown, and I can't wait to come back again - I loved being here. Our initial connection to Scandinavia was through some of the guys serving in Finland, but over the years we've come to know many of the other fantastic people working here, and there is a Spirit-filled fellowship going on here across ministries and borders that is just a joy to be a part of," said Jeremy Foster.
Nate Holdridge, Calvary Monterey
Guest speaking for the second year in a row (and the third time in total), pastor
Nate Holdridge from Calvary Monterey in California noticed a visible solidification of God's work through the Scandinavian Calvary ministries.
"I was very encouraged to be here and see people still sticking with it, walking and running the race. One of the things that really stood out was the spiritual growth of some of the people I've gotten to know here over the years - it's been five years since I first came to this conference, and it is so encouraging to see God raise up men and women here. There is a deepening and maturing of the different works throughout Scandinavia. I think everybody recognizes that this is not a fast place to do ministry, and sometimes there is a discouragement about that, but the impression I got this year is that there's an acceptance of that reality in a very healthy and positive sense. To see people commit to this place even though that
is the reality, wanting to pour into the saints in their fellowships and reach out to unbelievers, is just powerful to witness," Nate said.
The above guest speakers joined some of the local Bible teachers from Scandinavia as the conference sessions took us all through Acts chapter 13-28 (the first twelve chapters having been covered at last year's conference).
The local speakers this year were Bob Pecoraro (pastor of CC Finland), Joel Wickström of Calvary Stockholm, and Daniel Jacobsen of CC Hillerød near Copenhagen.
All teachings from this year's Scandinavian conference will be available online for streaming and downloading soon.
Also, in the brand new episode of the radio podcast Calvary Scandinavia Update you can hear a special edited medley of powerful messages and points made from the pulpit at this year's conference.
