Equmeniakyrkan’s Winter Conference
The first week of January I participated in Equmeniakyrkan’s “midwinter” conference. Roughly 500 pastors, diacons and ministry leaders gathered from across Sweden in the heart of Stockholm. The theme was “Together we build the church” and throughout the conference pastors from diverse contexts in Sweden bore witness to how they are seeing God at work. A young church planter from the far north shared about the pioneering work and the creative ways they are reaching out. If you look closely in the picture above you can see a picture of their outdoor live Christmas nativity utilizing a front loading tractor! It was inspiring to hear so many stories from around the country, from historical churches letting go, trying new things and experiencing new growth, to church plants in areas where Equmeniakyrkan has never had a presence. I was touched by the down to earth nature of panel discussion and stories from local pastors at the center of the sessions. There was a sense that the wider body of the church was deeply encouraged to be together and be encouraged by their peers in ministry.
I had the opportunity to connect with many old friends over lunch and coffee and join in seminars that helped me gain a wider perspective on Equmeniakyrkans global and local mission.
Over lunch with a Swedish colleague, whom I first met while he was an exchange student at North Park Seminary, he reminded me that the Swedish Covenant was inspired to initiate a midwinter gathering for pastor’s through their long standing connection with the Covenant church. In 2010, on the invitation from the Covenant a group of leaders from Sweden traveled to Chicago and experienced Midwinter. The next year they initiated the first “Vinterkonferensen” which has gone on to be a vital part of encouragement and resourcing for their church movement. Hearing this story reminded me of the gift of long standing relationships across cultures and church traditions that are united in the wider body of Christ. We can learn and be enriched though the manifold gifts we bring to the table. As we often say in the Covenant, “we are better together.”
Pray for Equmeniakyran, (formerly Mission Covenant) as they continue to depend on the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and guidance in their movement.
Pray also for local pastors, and congregations as they seek to embody the love of Christ and the hope of the gospel to a next generation of youth who are open, curious and looking for a “hope that will not disappoint.”
Translating for the Fajardo’s during a session. They are missionaries from Honduras serving in Spain and were invited to offer a seminar on their work. After the conference they traveled to share in several Equmenia churches around Sweden. It was amazing to meet them and learn from their experiences in Spain and to be reminded that mission truly is “from everywhere to everywhere!”
General Session introducing a denomination wide focus on the Psalms in 2026.
A small taste of one of our worship sessions.