A new day for Oase

Pray for the new general secretary of the “Dansk Oase” movement, Keld Dahlmann. He comes to the critical leadership position after serving as a pastor in Aarhus since 2002.

In his new role, Dahlmann oversees a country-wide network of some 21 churches, including many of the larger churches in the country. (Dahlmann’s church in Aarhus, for example, has around 800 members—which is quite large for a Danish church.) Churches in the movement, while still retaining their Lutheran identity, also enjoy a bit more autonomy than mainline Lutheran fellowships, and typically take an evangelical perspective. 

Oase churches are also the source of some of the most dynamic praise music artists in the country. And the movement maintains a strong emphasis on youth outreach. And these churches also participate in a large yearly family camp called “SommerOase,” featuring praise concerts, seminars, and activities for all ages. It’s a highlight of the year. 

Dahlmann brings not only his experience as a preaching and lead pastor, but also a passion for international outreach and ministry. The result is what he calls a more “welcoming culture” for those normally outside the church.

“We’re never done,” he told his church in a recent blog. “And that’s fantastic. I have my time, where I contribute something, and there was someone here before me, and someone follows me. That’s the nature of God’s kingdom—we never finish.”

PRAY for Keld Dahlmann, that he would be inspired to lead the Dansk Oase movement church network in God’s direction. 

PRAY for the Dansk Oase movement, with churches scatted all over the country. Pray for God-honoring growth in each of the 21 churches, and that many would be saved and discipled.

PRAY for God’s protection of the movement, and for wisdom in its leadership. Pray that they would keep God’s priorities amidst all the world’s craziness. 

Revival in 2023?

So now we stand on the verge of yet another year. What lies ahead for the Danish church in 2023? What lies ahead for Denmark?

If you’ve been following the past year’s prayer requests in the Pray For Denmark blog, you’ll notice one word that stands out.

Revival.

We pray for revival, that God would renew his church in this small land. That he would draw believers closer, and that he would draw unbelievers to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. 

But let’s be clear about our definition of true revival. As pastor and Christian commentator Tim Challies recently wrote, true revival is “supernatural, unexpected, deeply desired work of the Holy Spirit in which God’s people hunger for his Word and long for his glory. It is accompanied by an unusual sense of the presence of God, a deep awareness of sin, an overwhelming joy at forgiveness, and a passion to reach the lost.”

And revivals happen, as Challies reminded us, “when God deems them good and necessary, not when humans do.”

So this is what we pray for in Denmark. Not a human-manufactured version leveraged by technique or entertainment, but God-breathed and orchestrated. In every country village church, in every big-city gathering. In the schools and youth groups. In the places where a half-dozen faithful old people still gather, and the gyms where junior high kids laugh. Among recent immigrants, and among those who trace their Danish heritage back a thousand years. From the summer camps to the candles lit to the hygge of warm living rooms. From the tip of Skagen to the hundreds of islands to the cobblestone streets of market cities.

In the year to come we pray for nothing less than revival in God’s country of Denmark. We pray for revival among all 5,882,261 souls who make this lovely place their home. 

Revival. 

Pray with us. 

A Christmas Challenge

Pray for the upcoming annual evangelistic outreach through the “Julens Udfordring” (“Christmas Challenge”) news publication. Filled with stories and articles, the special tabloid is designed to reach Christians but especially the unchurched in Denmark with the good news of Jesus—during a time of year when Danes are perhaps more open to hearing the gospel.

A few articles from this year’s edition: Why Christmas is Something Special. Bob Dylan Found the Answer in the Wind. A Father and Son Help in Ukraine. The Story of “O Holy Night.” And more…

Christians in churches, small groups, families, or just individually may order as many copies as they can, and distribution is up to them. Else Ruhe Ludvigsen started with 10 copies four years ago, and has passed along more and more copies each year. This year she’s hoping to give away 1,000 copies in her hometown of Rødekro.

“I go from mailbox to mailbox,” she said, “as I pray to the Lord that I will meet those who live in the houses. As many as possible should hear about Jesus, so they’ll each receive a Christmas newspaper, in order to read about the King of kings.”

So Else shares her joy each year, and she has big plans to reach even more homes with the gospel. “Christmas is about Jesus,” she said, “and people need to know! Jesus has a birthday, and it’s us who receive presents. For me, being a Christian isn’t about being religious, but about having a personal relationship with Jesus. I want to offer that to others through the Christmas paper. Next year I want to distribute 2,000 papers, not just in Rødekro, but also in Aabenraa.”

PRAY for this year’s “Julens Udfordring” outreach, that God will reach many with the good news, and that many would turn to Christ this Christmas season as a result. 

PRAY that Christians will find new and creative ways to distribute even more copies this year.

PRAY for revival in Denmark through the “Julens Udfordring” outreach.

We all do Laundry

A new podcast in Denmark is tackling faith topics in a creative new way, bringing the conversation to a place where everyday Danes can learn and discuss more about what faith in Christ could mean in their lives.

It’s called “Laundry” (laundry.dk) and is produced by Camilla Engrob under the Youth for Christ umbrella. Through interviews, podcasts, music, art, and short films, it’s designed to work around the culturally Danish tendency to shy away from talk about spiritual things. 

“Sharing about faith in our society has largely been in the hands of a very few,” she said, “in very specific platforms: the pulpit, speeches, or theological books. I’ve had a growing desire to give a platform to other forms of expression.”

For Camilla, that means bringing in creative people and interesting interviews for her podcasts. After all, she said, “God is the greatest artist and creative creator—and we’re made in His image.”

Camilla herself is a trained graphic artist and architect, and has a background in book design. She’s especially excited to share people’s stories.

Why call it “Laundry”? Camilla says it’s because we all have it, but few want to talk about it, or even show it to others. 

“The idea grew over time,” she explained. “But three years ago it became clear to me that if I wanted things to be different, then I would need to do it myself. (So) ‘Laundry’ aims to focus on the Christian faith, and to make it natural to talk about God in the everyday. The starting point is the story about faith, hope, and love—the place where life is lived.”

PRAY for Camilla Engrob as she reaches into her culture with the truth of Jesus, for creativity and strength to present the claims of Christ in a winsome way. 

PRAY for listeners, that minds would be opened and hearts would be softened to consider the claims of Christ.

PRAY that many Danes of all ages would discover the podcast.

PRAY for revival in Denmark through creative approaches like “Laundry.”

Young Danes in Israel

Here’s something a little different: Let’s pray for the young Danes who have just begun a special three-month Bible learning and discipleship course at the School of Discipleship (Discipelskolen) in Israel. It’s run by Danish believers at The Danish House (Det Danske Hus) in Poriya, near the Sea of Galilee.

The new course began last month, with some 20 new learners. Here’s what one of the students, Jacob, had to say: 

"Orientation is over, now, and we’ve had a nearly normal week. We’ve had the privilege to hear our own Jakob Ulriksen, who led us through the topic of “Glimpses from the Books of Moses.” We’re learning much more about the creation story, the Fall, and the formation of Israel—how God chose and used Israel in his greater plan of salvation. In addition, we have been exploring the Old Testament to see if we could find Jesus there. Spoiler alert: Jesus is in the Old Testament. The week was crowned with a Friday trip to Dan and Tel Hazor, where we saw some very exciting stones from the old days. We have been fortunate to welcome Hakon Christensen, who will be teaching the Book of Romans this week. We're looking forward to it."

Jacob and the rest of the students are not likely to forget this special hands-on learning time in the Holy Land. It’s a chance to walk where Jesus walked, to breathe biblical history, and to experience the truth of God’s Word in a unique setting.

This experience will change their lives!

PRAY for the 20 Danish students learning right now at The Danish House in Israel, that they would draw closer to the Lord during these three months. Pray for their protection as well.

PRAY that God would touch the Danish church through the experiences of these 20 students when they return to Denmark later this year. Pray that they would inspire others in new and fresh ways.

PRAY for the instructors and staff at The Danish House, that they would be especially blessed and inspired this term.

PRAY for the ministry of The Danish House, Det Danske Hus, that God would protect them and help it to flourish.

Expanding the tent

They’ve been gathering at a place called Hadsund every summer now for 50 years—young and old, families and small children. Hadsund Bible Camping is typically Danish, and organized and led by volunteers. 

There’s room for 60 small RVs and tents, so it’s somewhat smaller than many other family summer camps. But like most other camps, they set up a large main tent for gatherings, as well as a large outdoor eating table. For many Danish believers, this is how they reconnect every year.

“Some people come who aren’t used to being part of this kind of fellowship,” said Cecilie Christensen, who co-organized this year’s gathering. “And I hope there are more who have a chance to be a part. I always dream of bringing in more people from outside.”

She said the camp is “an obvious place to meet the church and hear about Jesus, because we have time to talk about things, and because we can get to know one another. I dream that someone will come each year who isn’t used to hearing about Jesus, and who isn’t used to this kind of fellowship.”

Some of the seniors who attended this year have been a part of the gathering ever since it was established 50 years ago. Others have married into the group, when children have grown up to establish their own families, and then brought more children along. Everyone tends to watch the children, by the way, so it’s a safe place for spiritual growth in a multi-generational atmosphere.

Let’s pray for the families who are meeting all across Denmark this summer in family camps, for the relationships and spiritual growth, as well as for a spirit of revival and healthy outreach—the kind that Cecilie Christiansen dreams about.

PRAY for the families of Hadsund Bible Camping, for growth and nearness to Christ across all generations.

PRAY for the kids of Hadsund, for lasting growth this summer and beyond.

PRAY that new families would be welcomed and drawn into the summer fellowship—especially families who don’t know Christ. 

PRAY for revival throughout Denmark, starting in tents and spreading throughout the country, throughout the year.

Pray for the Forest Church

One of Denmark’s leading praise song writers and performers will soon release a new album, inspired by his new outdoor ministry. 

Arvid Asmussen, who recently began serving as pastor and worship leader at the Oasekirke (Oasis Church) in Silkeborg, finds inspiration outdoors—what he calls “the big cathedral.” So the album is appropriately titled “Cathedral (Katedral).”

In addition to his daily duties as a pastor, Asmussen leads a monthly “Forest Church” alternative worship experience. He invites the entire family on a pilgrimage that typically features Bible reflections and communion, and likely a good deal of singing, as well. 

“I believe most people can come in contact with the feeling of being a part of something bigger when they’re out in nature—whatever their connection is to the church,” he said. “I hope the Forest Church can be a way for spiritually searching people to meet with God.”

Asmussen’s new album of nature- and psalm-inspired praise songs is scheduled to release in September, but he has already shared and performed much of the music at a praise gathering last April. 

Listen to some of Asmussen’s music here. (There are even a couple of songs in English!) 

PRAY for the monthly Forest Church—that unchurched Danes would meet their creator on these monthly praise outings, and that believers would draw closer to the Lord here, as well. 

PRAY for Pastor Arvid Asmussen as he inspires other believers to creatively praise God through music. 

PRAY for the ongoing ministry of the church in Silkeborg, that many would come to faith in Christ through this ministry.