British podcaster and author Elizabeth Oldfield was a main speaker at the Pilgrim autumn meeting held in Linköping, Sweden, over the weekend. Oldfield is known for her book Fully Alive and her podcast The Sacred, which explores the question of what is holy. According to the report, she uses genuine curiosity to draw out deep, funny, and educational conversations with her guests. The event took place in the Swedish city of Linköping, highlighting her role as a prominent voice in contemporary religious discussion.
Adolfo, based in Lima, Peru, coordinates Bible translation projects and builds partnerships across South America. He reports that while over 40 indigenous languages are spoken in the country, ranging from Quechua in the Andes to various Amazonian tongues, many millions still lack the complete Bible in their native language. Recent gatherings allowed pastors and congregation members to gain new insights into marriage by studying the first chapters of Genesis. The initiative highlights the ongoing need to provide Scripture in local languages for these diverse communities, according to the report from Varlden idag.
Life Church Stockholm, located in the Folkungakyrkan building, invited Tony Olsson, formerly Byström, to share his testimony about converting to Christianity. The announcement by pastor Rune Borgsö sparked significant backlash on social media. Olsson was previously convicted for the Malexander police murders. The event took place during a Sunday service where he described changes in his life attributed to his faith. The invitation generated controversy among the public and online communities.
Hillsong Sweden celebrated its twentieth anniversary this past Sunday with two services at Cirkus in Stockholm. Approximately 4,000 attendees gathered for the morning worship event, which featured praise music, video messages, and socializing. The congregation also held an evening service and a mixer that attracted many participants. Andreas Nielsen, the lead pastor of Hillsong Sweden, expressed deep gratitude to the outlet Världen idag regarding the milestone. The large turnout highlights the continued presence of the international church network in Sweden.
Hillsong Sweden is celebrating its 20th anniversary, having grown from a small group to reaching 5,000 people weekly. Pastors Andreas and Lina Nielsen spoke to Världen idag about the church's history and future goals. The couple emphasizes that reaching the next generation is the most important mission. Their permanent city campus is located on Stora Essingen in Stockholm, serving as the administrative hub for the Swedish branch. The interview took place in October during a rainy afternoon at the facility.
SOS Church has established a new congregation in Buford, Georgia, in the United States. This marks the organization's expansion into its fourth country, following previous establishments in Sweden, Switzerland, and France. Pastor and evangelist Johannes Amritzer was present for the first service, alongside pastors Fernando and Elizabeth DeCarvalho. The move represents a significant step in the group's international growth strategy.
A group of 85 people held a worship service at Byttorp Church in Borås, Sweden, on October 18, despite the Church of Sweden having officially discontinued operations there. The initiative began two years ago when Christer Samuelsson attended an Alpha course. Services had not been held at the location for over a year. Organizers now hope to continue using the building for regular gatherings. This development marks a potential revival for the threatened site, driven by local community efforts rather than official diocesan plans.
Approximately 4,000 young adults gathered at the Conventum Arena in Örebro, Sweden, for the Jesus Conference 2026 on Saturday. The event focused on worship and spiritual encouragement, with attendees expressing a strong desire for deeper faith. Organizers reported that the venue was so full that not everyone could find a seat. According to the report, the organizers are already planning to expand the event next year to the Avicii Arena in Stockholm, aiming to accommodate an even larger audience.
Ten Swedish craftsmen have traveled to southern Israel to assist the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) in constructing a rehabilitation center in Ein HaBesor, located near the Gaza border. The project revives a vision originally proposed by Sivan Shefer before the events of October 7, 2023. Gitten Öholm from the ICEJ highlighted the site's significance during a visit by Världen idag. The group states that the initiative aims to provide support services in the region, marking a continuation of their local development efforts despite the ongoing conflict.
The Jesus Conference is scheduled to take place this weekend at the Conventum Arena in Örebro, Sweden. Organizers expect a full house for the fourth consecutive year of the event, which has become a regular gathering for young people and adults. Andreas Andersson, one of the event's organizers, stated that the program places significant emphasis on prayer and moments of stillness. The conference aims to provide a spiritual experience for attendees, continuing its tradition of drawing large crowds to the region.
Translated from SvenskaAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Four churches in Oskarshamn, Sweden, hosted a Bible festival on Saturday to celebrate the new translation of the New Testament. The event took place at the Culture House in collaboration with the local municipality. Participating groups included the Pentecostal Church, Hamnkyrkan, the Salvation Army, and the Church of Sweden. The festival featured panel discussions, workshops, crafts, film screenings, and a lecture on the connection between the Bible and J.R.R. Tolkien's works. Many attendees came to the event, with some purchasing Bibles. The outlet reports that the gathering drew significant interest from the community.
A new study covering 105 countries reveals that more than half a billion Christians live in regions where access to the Bible is restricted. The report highlights that the mere existence of a Bible does not guarantee availability for those seeking it. In a country in central Africa, which recently ranked 29th on the Open Doors World Watch List, the demand for Bibles exceeds ten million copies. This data underscores the significant challenges believers face in obtaining scripture in various parts of the world.
Swedish-American pastor Dan Johnson visited Sundsvall, Sweden, accompanying a group of prayer warriors to the country's geographic midpoint. During this trip, he reported witnessing what he described as a supernatural light. Johnson, who previously discovered his roots in Hjälmseryd, stated that he now sees evidence confirming his earlier messages about spiritual developments among children and youth. He predicts that the Kingdom of God will expand significantly by 2027. The visit marks his second trip to Sweden, following an initial journey in 2024.
The Institute for Bible Translation (IFB) has marked the 20th anniversary of publishing the New Testament in Gagauz, a Turkic language spoken in the autonomous region of Gagauzia in southern Moldova. Mattias Hallkvist, director of IFB, recently visited the area and reported that residents expressed great gratitude for receiving the scriptures in their native tongue. The organization is currently working on translating the Old Testament into Gagauz to provide the complete Bible. This development fulfills a long-standing desire of the local population for religious texts in their own language.
Four churches in Oskarshamn, Sweden, are organizing a Bible festival on October 17 to mark the release of a new Swedish New Testament translation. The event, held in collaboration with the local municipality, commemorates the 500th anniversary of the first Swedish New Testament print. According to Fredrik Wenell of Hamnkyrkan, the program includes pizza and panel discussions aimed at encouraging people to read the Bible. This initiative is part of a broader effort by congregations across Sweden to celebrate the linguistic milestone with outward-facing activities.
Approximately 550 individuals were baptized in the icy waters off the coast of Bridlington in eastern England last weekend. The event was organized by Merlin Kraft, who described the gathering as a sign of spiritual awakening and a significant harvest of believers. Participants publicly confessed their faith in Jesus Christ by undergoing the ritual in the cold sea. The organizer stated that something powerful is happening in the region, highlighting the scale of the mass baptism event that took place in the United Kingdom.
Millions of people in over a hundred countries participated in a live-streamed prayer event for Israel. The report comes from Jerusalem, three years after the October 7 Hamas attacks. Mike Evans, the American initiator, addressed the audience, stating that antisemitism is a spiritual battle. The broadcast featured various Christian leaders and anchors, including Tamryn Foley and Judge Brown, who expressed solidarity with the Jewish people. Israeli producer Roni Izhayek described the support as an honor. The event aimed to show global Christian unity with Israel and pray for healing.
During October, various independent organizations and networks in Sweden's free church movement are hosting specialized conferences. Events include the Jesus Conference for young adults in Örebro, a Bible credibility day in Nässjö, and a leadership gathering for Alpha in Stockholm. Other activities focus on LGBTQ+ inclusion in Stockholm, Jesus' second coming in Uppsala, and youth ministry in Falun. Organizers aim to inspire believers and address contemporary issues such as biblical authority and social engagement. These gatherings complement larger summer festivals by targeting specific demographics and theological interests throughout the autumn season.
A Swedish aid worker from Love and Hope is currently in Nepal following a catastrophic flood triggered by a glacier collapse in the Himalayas. The disaster has resulted in 1,450 confirmed deaths and over 7,000 missing persons, according to reports. The aid worker describes the scene as the worst he has ever witnessed. He also warns that the crisis is being exploited by individuals attempting to traffic children into sexual exploitation. The floods washed away entire villages, leaving thousands homeless or dead in the affected regions.
Translated from Svenska
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