New venue chosen for Scandinavian conference in 2016

There will be a change of both venue and timing for the 2016 Calvary Chapel Scandinavia conference, which will move from early August to mid-July and from Stockholm to a campsite near the Swedish town of Vingåker. New dates are July 13th-17th.

After 7 consecutive years with the Scandinavian conferences being held at a castle-turned-boarding-school in Ekebyholm an hour's drive north of Stockholm, the organizers of the annual event is announcing a change of venue that marks the end of an era.

Following further restrictions in the availability of the Ekebyholm facilities, a decision has been made to move the 2016 conference to the pre-arranged back-up location, a campsite called Hjälmergården two and a half hour's drive southwest of Stockholm.

"We have had a great time while having the conference at Ekebyholm, which is why we've stayed there for 7 years in a row. But now more and more parts of that venue are being reserved for permanent tennants, thereby limiting the size of the venue available to us to a degree that no longer matches our needs. We have therefore had to look for another place to stage the next conference," says Joel Wickström, pastor of Calvary Stockholm and a member of the team of organizers behind the annual Scandinavian conferences.

"We are thankful for all that God has done at our conferences while at Ekebyholm, but it's time to move on and thankfully we know that God's work is not limited to certain locations," he adds.

A great place for adults and kids
The 2016 venue of Hjälmergården (we wish all our non-Scandinavian participants good luck pronouncing that name) contains many of the same facilities that were available at Ekebyholm. The campsite is not far from the Swedish town of Vingåker and is located by a lake and offers bedroom cabins as well as available outdoor space for tents and camping trailers. The conference will take place on July 13th - 17th (Wednesday evening to Sunday noon, as usual).

"It remains to be seen whether this will be a new long-term venue for us, but for now our decision is just to have the 2016 conference there. We are always considering our options and looking for alternative venues near the international hubs of Stockholm and Copenhagen, so at the moment only God knows where we'll be in 2017 and onwards," says Joel Wickström.

"I think it will be a lot of fun for all of us to gather at a new location. I've visited Hjälmergården myself, and it is a really nice place with great space for both adults and kids. The sleeping accommodations, bathrooms and shower facilities are all of high standard, and the general surroundings should create a great environment for our conference," Joel adds.

Sign up process opens in January
At the moment the organizers expect to open the sign up process by early January, and as in recent years there will be advantages to signing up early.

More specific details will be shared at that time about the venue and how to get there. For now you can read more about Hjälmergården at www.hjalmargarden.se

If anyone has questions about the 2016 conference you are welcome to contact Calvary Chapel Scandinavia on Facebook, Twitter or send an email to conf@calvarychapel.dk

Conference teachings now available!

The teachings from the Calvary Chapel Scandinavia Conference 2015 are now available online.

Over 11 sessions this year's invited guest speakers - pastors Alex Kruse from CC Siegen, Kyle Eckhart from CC Szegen, Mark Walsh of CC Bible Institute New Zealand, Kurt Ibbotson from CC Leipzig, and Darrel Wilmoth from Front Range Calvary - joined various local pastors from ministries in Scandinavia and taught through the second half of Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians.

Whether you sat in on each of those sessions at the conference or missed a few or couldn't make it to the conference, now you have the chance to revisit this powerful piece of divine Scripture or enjoy them for the first time. Go to calvarychapel.fi or click here to download or stream the teachings, including some of the workshops from the conference.

Marvelous Miracles take home Viking Games trophy

No miracles needed as captain Darrel Wilmoth and the Marvelous Miracles claim the victory in Viking Games 8, leaving defending champion Bob Pecoraro and his team of Wisdom Warriors in third place.

As the battle cry rang out across the big sports field that formed the stage for this year's Viking Games at the Calvary Chapel Scandinavia conference near Stockholm, it was initially met with laughter. "No miracles needed!" screamed the seven members of the team named the Marvelous Miracles, with a confidence that initially did not seem to impress the five other rival teams in the minutes before the 8th edition of Viking Games kicked off.

But it would not be long before the competing teams, one by one, would begin to feel the superiority and determination of the Marvelous Miracles, led by team captain Darrel Wilmoth. As the six teams, all given names inspired by the second half of 1 Corinthians, competed in activities like beach volleyball, football, relays and various water balloon battles it quickly became clear that three teams stood out in the overall battle for the Viking Games trophy.

In the end captain Darrel Wilmoth and the Marvelous Miracles came out triumphant with more points than team Healer's Heat led by Simeon Fuchs, who finished second, and the defending champion Bob Pecoraro and his team Wisdom Warriors. In spite of winning the final captain's showdown contest, captain Bob could not prevent overall defeat. The Marvelous Miracles took home the trophy as Darrel Wilmoth collected his first ever Viking Games championship as captain.

"We certainly lived up to our team name more than our team battle cry, that's for sure. It was a really tough competition this year, so it may have been a miracle that we won the whole thing. But it was very exciting to hear our team name being called out when the winners were announced. It was fun. Viking Games is always fun," says Darrel Wilmoth, who - when he's not unleashing his inner viking - is the pastor of Calvary Front Range in Colorado, USA.

Trophy travels to Colorado
Viking Games 8 had another historic touch to it as it featured the first ever all-women's team, the Veils of Victory. In spite of putting up a valiant fight, the Veils of Victory came up just short in several competitions - and had the last inches and a little bit of luck been on their side their overall points tally would have been much higher.

In the end the trophy will now spend a year in Colorado with captain Darrel Wilmoth, who will return next year to defend the title.

The final scores in Viking Games 8:

141 points - Marvelous Miracles
123 points - Healer's Heat
113 points - Wisdom Warriors
85 points - Tongues of Thunder
40 points - Invincible Interpreters
40 points - Veils of Victory

The Viking Games is an annual tradition at the Calvary Chapel Scandinavia conferences, which started in 2008 and has since been staged each year. It's a fun way for conference participants to take a break from all the sitting down at teaching sessions and get to know new people (or new sides of familiar people) through competitive comradery.

Click on the fact box on the right to see all previous winners of Viking Games.

Click here or on the video below to see the Viking Games 8 film:


2015 Conference - Viking Games 8 from Calvary Chapel Scandinavia on Vimeo.


2015 Conference - Viking Games 8 (news report) from Calvary Chapel Scandinavia on Vimeo.

Guest speakers found the foundation strong in Scandinavia

No less than five guest speakers graced the pulpit at this year's Calvary Chapel Scandinavia conference. They taught through some tough chapters in the second half of 1 Corinthians, and all of them were blessed to the see the response.

Of the five guest speakers who joined the local pastors on the teaching bill this year, two of them attended their first ever Scandinavian conference. Pastors Alex Kruse (CC Siegen, Germany) and Kyle Eckhart (CC Szegen, Hungary) made their debut while Mark Walsh (CC Bible Institute, New Zealand) returned for his fourth appearance since 2005 to lead worship and teach a session. 

For the third year running, pastor Kurt Ibbotson (CC Leipzig, Germany) came with a children's ministry team and pastor Darrel Wilmoth (Calvary Front Range, Colorado) with a team of helpers to serve in practical work during the conference. Both Kurt and Darrel taught at the conference for the first time this year.

Here's what the guest speakers thought of this year's conference:

"I've often heard about what God has been doing up here from friends who have come and taught here. For me it was just amazing to see how God is setting things in order and laying a foundation for what He wants to do here in the future. There is a great group of people here that God is using. My wife and I have been extremely blessed to be here," says Kyle Eckhart, pastor of CC Szegen in Hungary.

"It was awesome. It was so much fun. It was great meeting so many new people who are serving here, and to see the family-like union among everyone here. I also saw people receiving the Word of God like dry ground soaking up water. There is really an eagerness for the Word here and a love between people that is so awesome to witness," says Alex Kruse, pastor of CC Siegen in Germany.

"The first time I came to one of these conferences was 10 years ago, so coming now for my fourth time really gives me perspective. One of the exciting things is the maturity of the work here, the sense that something is growing beyond that which is new or childlike. In many ways it's still a new work, but there's a depth to it now that was not there yet in 2005. There is a whole crop of leaders being developed. Ten years ago we were praying for and dreaming about leaders, ten years later there's a whole bunch of leaders. The next ten years will be those leaders doing something. It's very exciting," says Mark Walsh, pastor and leader of CC Bible Institute in New Zealand.

All teachings from this year's conference will be available online soon. Stay tuned on this blog for more info.

You can also click here to see a video with reactions from the guest speakers and some of the local Scandinavian pastors.

A love revived in Scandinavia

Love took center stage at this year's Calvary Chapel Scandinavia conference as nearly 140 people gathered over 4½ days to study the second half of 1 Corinthians.

As July turned to August the congration of Calvary Chapel Scandinavia turned the pages of 1 Corinthians from July 29th to August 2nd, going through the second half of 1 Corinthians, completing the journey through this epistle that had begun at last year's conference.

Guest pastors Alex Kruse (CC Siegen, Germany), Kyle Eckhart (CC Szegen, Hungary), Kurt Ibbotson (CC Leipzig, Germany), Darrel Wilmoth (Calvary Front Range in Colorado, USA) and Mark Walsh (CC Bible Institute in New Zealand) all joined local pastors and ministry leaders to teach the 11 main sessions and added workshops.

During each teaching session God used His Word to stir up the Scandinavian congregation to a more love-filled life and service for Jesus.

"Throughout the whole conference God really showed us the purpose of the gifts He has given us through the Holy Spirit. It was good for both new and experienced believers to revisit God's own intructions on how the gifts operate and function, and how each person has one or more gifts that can be used to edify the body of Christ. And most importantly, we saw that the gifts are all about love; for God and one another. How and why we use our gifts is all about love," says Joel Wickström, one of the conference organizers and pastor of Calvary Stockholm.

Knit together in record-time
It was the 17th consecutive Calvary Chapel Scandinavia conference, and over the four and a half days of the event nearly 140 attendees and day guests came together from the Scandinavian countries to pray, worship and study God's Word at the castle-turned-school venue in Ekebyholm outside Stockholm.

"Whenever these Scandinavian conferences take place it is always such a special congregation that forms. In a matter of hours, people who have never met mix with people who have known each other through years of ministry and form a well-oiled, functioning church body of believers who love and serve each other. And whether we are born and raised in Scandinavia or visiting from America or elsewhere, we are all knit together in record-time by our love for Jesus and the people of Scandinavia. These conferences are really a wonderful testimony in and of themselves of the unity that can only be found in Jesus Christ," says Joel Wickström.

Served well by incoming teams
This year the worship leader throughout the conference was pastor Mark Walsh from CC Bible Institute in New Zealand, who attended his fourth Scandinavian conference since 2005.

The children's ministry was once again run by a team from CC Leipzig in Germany, led by pastor Kurt Ibbotson who also taught a main session this year.

Another mission's team from Front Range Calvary in Colorado served the Scandinavian body greatly by running all meals and practical work during the conference. As in previous years, this team was led by pastor Darrel Wilmoth who also taught a main session at the conference.

All teachings from the 2015 conference (incl. workshops) will be available online soon.

Stay tuned on this blog in the coming days for announcements about available teachings plus additional articles, photos and videos with reactions from guest speakers and more.

Click here to see the official conference video (or here to see a special TV news report about the conference) or click below on your video of choice. If you want to download the official group photo from this year's conference, just click on the photo below.




2015 Conference from Calvary Chapel Scandinavia on Vimeo.



2015 Conference - news report from Calvary Chapel Scandinavia on Vimeo.

Sign up for the 2015 conference

The registration for the Calvary Chapel Scandinavia Conference 2015 is now open, with cheaper prices than previously. The conference will take place from July 29th to August 2nd and will offer unforgettable studies of the second half of 1 Corinthians. Here's why you shouldn't miss it!

From the moment the Bibles are opened for the very first session at this year's Calvary Chapel Scandinavia (CCS) Conference, there will be drama and delight, controversy and comfort as divine truth about life, love, and God Himself is served through some of the most potent passages of Scripture. Go ahead, read it for yourselves and see what's in store in 1 Corinthians 11-16.

Once more, Ekebyholm Castle will be the venue for the conference. Situated about 30 minutes' drive outside Stockholm, the location is a former royal castle from the 1700's, which today is used as a boarding school. Outdoor facilities include a large playground, two beach volleyball courts, a football pitch, and lots of space for both indoor and outdoor activities.

THE TEACHING
At the 2015 conference a line-up of invited guest pastors and local speakers will teach through the second half of Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians. The conference will also offer specific workshops on topics that are highly relevant to our daily lives as Christians. All teaching will be in English. Click on thumbnail to the right to see the program for this year's conference teachings, including workshops.

THE TEACHERS
This year we welcome four guest speakers to teach alongside local ministry leaders from Scandinavia throughout the conference. These guest speakers are pastors Alex Kruse (CC Siegen in Germany), Kyle Eckhart (CC Szeged in Hungary), and Mark Walsh (CC New Zealand).

THE TIMING
Please note that the "Arrival and registration" takes place on Wednesday (July 29th) between 4pm and 7pm. The first worship and teaching sessions starts at 7:30pm.

IMPORTANT: Please note that due to people's differing arrival times, the Wednesday evening dinner is NOT included in the attendance prices listed below. However, if you would like to have a light dinner on Wednesday evening, you must let us know when filling out the registration form. It will be served at 6pm and costs an extra 50 SEK pr. person. If you would like lunch on Sunday, you can buy lunch for 75 SEK pr. person.

THE SLEEPING FACILITIES
When you sign up, you can choose between three different types of accommodation which all vary in price (see below): Private bedroom (with your own key), Gender-divided dorms in classrooms (mattresses will be provided), or space for self-brought tent or auto camper.

IMPORTANT: Please note that private bedrooms will be assigned based on who signed up the earliest, however married couples, families with children, and elderly attendees will be prioritized in case of simultaneous overbooking.

ATTENDANCE PRICES
The price for your attendance depends on your age and what type of accommodation you choose. See all prices below. Please note that we are using a different price set-up this year than in previous years.

Regardless of your accommodation choice, everyone will pay a basic conference fee, which covers your use of the castle facilities (such as restrooms, showers, sports facilities, etc), and all meals throughout the entire conference (meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner and various servings of refreshments in the afternoon and evenings).

The prices for accommodation is put together in a way that sets a fixed price for a private bedroom no matter if one or six people are staying in the room (an option more profitable for families, married couples, or friends of same gender), a fixed price for a tent or camper site, and an individual price pr. person for those staying in dorms.

Basic fee - ADULTS: 575 SEK (age 13 and older)
Basic fee - CHILDREN: 250 SEK (age 2-12)
Basic fee - BABIES: free (age 0-1)

Bedroom: 1000 SEK (fits 1-6 people)
Dorm: 250 SEK (pr. person)
Tent: 400 SEK (regardless of how many people stay in the tent or camper)

HOW TO SIGN UP

If you want to attend this conference, please CLICK HERE to fill out the official registration form and click the "submit registration" link afterwards to complete your registration.

IMPORTANT: Please note that the deadline for paying your attendance fee is June 15th. When you register, we will send you a confirmation email with payment details. It is not possible to pay in cash when you arrive.

MORE INFO
All who sign up will receive an email with specific transport directions and the official conference program. Until then, if you have questions that aren't answered on this page, please feel free to email us at conf@calvarychapel.dk.

We hope to see you there!

Please note that the Calvary Chapel Scandinavia Team cannot assist or vouch for any participants in any visa application process (if you require special visas to enter Sweden due to your citizenship you must provide this on your own).