Ministry in Malmö, Sweden
Steve and Barb Swanson with youth leader Luca in Wesleykyrkan, Malmö.
Visit to Serve Globally personnel in Malmö
1 March 2024
Malmö is a very diverse city. More than half of the population has a foreign background (first or second generation). In the last decade Malmö received many refugees fleeing wars in Syria and Afghanistan as well as asylum seekers from Iran.
Since 2017, Steve and Barb Swanson have partnered with Wesley Church in Limhamn, on the westside of Malmö. This local church intentionally seeks to welcome and support newcomers to the city in various ways.
Every week, Steve and Barb, together with volunteers from the church, host a Swedish language cafe where they welcome a diverse group of people largely from the Middle East. It is an opportunity for people to improve their Swedish language skills, but also to build friendships with each other and the church community. Through this ministry people have experienced God’s love and welcome in tangible ways.
Gathering with the Swansons and local leaders pioneering a church plant
Community outreach in Rosengård, Malmö
Bridge builders to segregated neighborhoods
Steve took me on a walk through a neighborhood in Malmö called Rosengård, meaning, “rose garden.” This is a part of the city where many immigrants have made their home. Walking through the shopping center I was struck by the diversity of people, foods and languages and learned that this is a neighborhood seldom visited by the average Swedish person.
But it is exciting to see how Steve and Barb are bridge builders to this community and part of an ecumenical team that supports several initiatives including a church plant, youth outreach and building friendships with their muslim neighbors.
I was struck by the incarnational expression of the work of this team. Joseph, originally from India, and Shiraz, from Pakistan both live in this community and know their neighbors and the community intimately. In our time of prayer, I experienced their expression of love and the deep longing for people to experience God’s shalom in their neighborhood.
Pray with us:
-For Barb and Steve as they seek to advocate and befriend immigrants and refugees in their city.
-For youth pastor Luca, who is discipling a new generation of young believers and reaching out to their neighborhood.
-For the team working in Rosengård, that God may strengthen them in their work and that the love of Christ may shine through their ministry.