Connections in Gothenburg, Sweden
In the middle October I visited the city of Gothenburg in south western Sweden. This was three full days of connecting with church leaders from the Uniting Church and visiting local ministries. A highlight was staying with pastor Daniel Demming, (above left) and his lovely family. Daniel and I studied together for a year at North Park Seminary in 2000. He now serves a large congregation in the suburbs of Gothenburg where they gather 300 people for worship on Sundays and have a big impact on youth and children in their community. One of the ministries they support is Fisher’s Creek International congregation which meets in their facilities.
Daniel organized a meeting with two leaders from this congregation to talk about leadership in international ministry. It was wonderful to see how Daniel and the pastoral staff care for these leaders to help their ministry thrive and the passion and energy of these lay leaders. One of the challenges we discussed was the wide variety of church backgrounds and cultures they are working with, and how as leaders they can help people keep focused on Christ and their shared mission. I left this meeting so encouraged by this partnership in ministry and how each worship group is reaching people with the Gospel using the gifts and resource God has provided.
In the sanctuary of Fiskebäck Church where Daniel is pastor. He is such a gifted pastor with a heart for discipleship and it was great to reconnect with him. Pray for Daniel and this congregation as they seek to serve Christ and their community.
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Pastor Daniel arranged for me to spend several hours at a new ministry initiative in a rougher part of the city. Five churches partner together to run a cafe called “The Living Room.” The back story is great. In a meeting with civic and business leaders around challenges in the neighborhood a real estate developer heard of their ideas and offered to rent this space for their ministry. She asked what a reasonable rent would be, and pastor Daniel suggested they let them use it rent free. Much to everyone’s surprise the company agreed and so five days a week between 50-70 people gather here throughout the day, where they are received warmly, receive support for various needs, and build community with each other and loving volunteers.
Marita, (left) was appointed to lead this ministry and has such a heart for the people who come and the volunteers that serve.
The volunteer crew on the day I joined the ministry. Two of them are pastor’s from participating churches. I found it inspiring to see churches working together and with community leaders to make a positive impact on the neighborhood. The response from the police and city leaders has been overwhelmingly positive and the churches have already opened another cafe in another part of the city. I find this to be such a witness to God’s healing and compassionate love in the city! Join me in praying for the church’s in Gothenburg, and their desire to work together for the shalom of the city.
It was great to connect with Derek Wallace who serves as a Covenant pastor in Gothenburg. Derek has served in Sweden for 20 years and has pastored congregations in several parts of the country. He has deep ministry connections and helped me to meet several church leaders in this dynamic region of the country. We are praying for new doors to open for missional partnerships between the Covenant and Uniting Church in Sweden.