Praying for Aarhus

 

Every year, Christians from churches all across Denmark join in a special day of prayer for their country. It’s called “Store Bededag,” (“All Prayers Day”) and this year it’s May 4. Believers in Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, are taking the opportunity seriously as they promote a special “Pray With Aarhus” day, in which they lift up their city and neighbors to God. “I’m participating in ‘Pray With Aarhus’ because I believe God hears and answers prayer,” says one of the movement’s supporters. “And when we pray for Aarhus, then something’s going to happen in Aarhus.” 

PRAY for the thousands of residents of Aarhus who don’t know Christ, that they would be touched in a new way by this day of prayer. 

PRAY for the believers who are on their knees for their city, that they would know God’s presence in a fresh way. 

Prayfordenmark.com Announces Robert Elmer as the New Editor

Dr. William F. "Bill" Hunter has been editor of Prayfordenmark.com since its inception on March 1, 2004. Because of responsibilities in the care of his wife of 65 years and given his soon-to-be 86 years of age, he has felt that it is time for a change in the editorial role for this webblog. We are grateful that the Lord has brought to this ministry the right man at the right time with the right background to assume the editorship.
 
Beginning April 1, the new editor/writer will be Robert Elmer, currently Manager of Communication Services at Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington. Brad Haugaard will continue in his role as the technical editor. Brad has given unstintingly of his time to this ministry and has been most generous in covering expenses connected with it. Prayfordenmark.com would never have gotten off the ground without Brad's assistance.  Most of all we give thanks to the Lord for the way He has blessed and sustained the ministry over the years and for all those who have been so faithful in their prayer support.

Bob Elmer is a committed evangelical believer who loves the Lord dearly and looks forward with eager anticipation to having a part in rousing fellow believers around the world to pray for evangelism, discipleship, revival/renewal, church growth, and church planting in Denmark.

Like Bill and Brad, Bob too has Danish ancestry. His parents are both from Denmark; his father born and raised in Copenhagen, and his mother on the island of Møn. They met in Denmark shortly after WWII and immigrated to the United States in the early 1950s. Bob was born and raised mainly in California, but in many ways has always felt a strong connection with his Danish heritage. His knowledge of the Danish language comes from having grown up in a Danish-speaking family. In fact, Danish was the only language in his home, so he grew up speaking Danish, and the Elmer family observed many Danish traditions along the way. He was raised in the Lutheran Church, but since accepted Christ as Savior and Lord at age 17. He affirms, "I've always felt a deep burden for the Danish people." During his college days in San Francisco, he volunteered at the local Scandinavian Seaman's Mission.

There are interesting elements in Bob's Danish heritage. His Great-Uncle Robert, after whom he was named, was a postman in Copenhagen and took his family to stay with out-of-town relatives during the worst days of WWII. Apparently he felt it would be safer for them to be away from the city. As Bob understands it, he would visit his wife and children on the weekends, and commute back to their apartment in the city during the week. But on one of those trips back to Copenhagen he was targeted and shot dead by Nazis--it is uncertain if it was in a crossfire situation or if it was deliberate. As for others in Copenhagen, there is no plaque commemorating the spot where he died, but understandably the story made an indelible impression on Bob.

Another story that made an impression on him was about his mother's sibling, Bob's Uncle Hother, who would apparently sneak out at night from their home to take part in a Resistance group. Uncle Hother was reluctant to speak of his experiences. Those familiar with some of Bob's novels can detect elements of these stories in them.

Bob has had a fulfilling career as a writer and editor and as a news editor, advertising writer, and freelance author. For a short time he was an assistant pastor at a Christian and Missionary Alliance church. In the past (depending on where they've lived) Bob and family have attended churches of various denominations. This has given him an appreciation for the various traditions amongst evangelical Christians. He is a graduate of Simpson Bible College and St. Mary's College.

As yet, he has visited Denmark only once, as a teen, but he is excited about the prospect of another visit to make contact with Danish churches and believers on behalf of prayfordenmark.com. Bob and his wife Ronda have been married for 32 years; they have three adult children and four grandchildren.

PRAY for Bob and Brad as they continue this much needed ministry of prayer support for the Lord's work in Denmark. We believe the best is yet to come. What joy it would be to see a nationwide return to Christ in Denmark!

Jeremiad or Challenge?

For some time Danes have been leaving and continue to leave the Folkekirke, Denmark’s state church, in significant numbers. According to the October 2012 issue of  Folkekirkens Mellemkirkelige Råd publication Inter-Church News, Folkekirke membership has declined from 85.4% to 79.8% since 1999.  The article adds that “this decline is suddenly quite steep” as what began as a mere trickle has become a steady stream.  It is notable that the resignation figures for all of 2011 totaled 13, 587, but in the first six months of 2012 alone 12,406 Danes left the Folkekirke.

Various causes are assigned for this trend, including the nation’s financial crisis as well as the Folkekirke’s promotion of gay marriage.  It is also attributed to “a bad press,” whatever that may mean, and “aggressive atheism.”  The article cited above opines, perhaps a bit lamely, that “part of the explanation lies in the number of newly-nationalized immigrants who are not members of the Lutheran Church and, hence, do not pay the church tax of around 0.9% (2011) incumbent on all Lutheran Church members.”  

From our perspective it would appear that rampant secularism is the major cause of the decline.  With its highly socialized governmental system, Danes are snugly comfortable from cradle to grave with little thought that there is life after death that demands a choice in the here and now between heaven and hell.  It is little wonder many Danes consider the church passé and irrelevant, and because they do the parish churches have been emptying for years. We can hear the pain of a dear Danish Christian friend who wrote recently: “We are very thankful for your prayers as you know that the church in Denmark for a big part is betraying our Lord.”

This is not to say there are no exceptions to the trend.  There are pockets of vibrancy in local parishes here and there throughout the country.  The Valmenighed movement appears to be gaining momentum and revival movements within the Folkekirke continue to have their devoted adherents. If at some point the Folkekirke drops its status as a state church, as seems to be the trend in Scandinavia, it is within the realm of possibility these revival movements may result in splintering of the Folkekirke as it is known today..

So, where does this leave Evangelicals and the Danish free churches?  They have their own set of problems and preoccupations of such magnitude they may or may not be up to the evangelistic challenge presented by the vacuum created through Folkekirke departures.  Surely there are Danes who hunger and thirst after righteousness. And it is for this reason that the free churches need to get their act together to foster an aggressive evangelism and an enhanced emphasis on the planting of new churches rooted in a sound biblical theology. 

If ever there was the need for a nationwide revival of faith in Denmark, this is the time.  Danes need to hear and know that “Jesus Saves!”  So often repeated we hardly hear it anymore, the truth of the Word of God remains:  “If my people, who are called by my Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV).  It reads the same in Danish:  “Mit folk, som mit navn er nævnt over, så ydmyger sig og beder og søger mit ansigt og vender om fra deres onde veje, da vil jeg høre dem fra himlen og tilgive deres synd og læge deres land” (Anden Krønikebog 7:14).. 

PRAY earnestly that God will honor and answer the prayers of believers in Denmark as well as in other lands concerned for a genuine Spirit-led revival reaching every corner of “det yndigt land" (the lovely land).

PRAY that God would raise up a new evangelist voice, or many such voices, to fearlessly and faithfully proclaim the Good News of the Gospel in such an irresistible way that Danes would listen and respond.

PRAY that the Danish government would relax its tightened immigration and residence requirements so that biblically sound workers from other countries would find it easier to assist evangelistic and church planting efforts in Denmark. 

PRAY that Danes living overseas that have come to know the truth and power of the Gospel of Christ in their lives and subsequently have become thoroughly grounded in the faith would consider return to the homeland as witnesses of the saving grace of Christ.

Is Jesus from Herlev?

Bible stories are coming to life for grade-school children in Herlev, on the outskirts of Copenhagen. Organized by three local Lutheran churches, a new one-day outreach program called “On the Trail of Jesus” (“På Sporet af Jesus”) blends drama, authentic costumes, and creative outdoor storytelling in a way that engages young imaginations.

Last September, 70 fourth graders were given maps to trace out a journey between church building, parks, and even a hospital. They began under a large tree outside the Herlev church, where Pastor Niels Jørn Fogh dressed as Zachaeus to tell them his story—in character. From there the children met Mary and Martha (who argued about household chores), a fisherman by a lake (a.k.a. the Sea of Galilee), and eventually Jesus himself at a party hosted by Zachaeus.

Now in its second year, the idea was inspired by a similar program at a church in the southern Danish island of Lolland, and “imported” to the Herlev-area churches by youth worker Johnny Tidemand.

“Seven classes signed up for the day,” Tidemand told the Danish Bible Society, “but we only have room for four. That’s why we’re organizing another session in the spring. And I suppose that means we have a waiting list. We take that as a good sign.”

PRAY that youth workers in Danish Lutheran and free churches would be inspired to reach out in new, creative ways that will touch young hearts for Christ.

THANK GOD for the 70 children who participated in the program this fall. PRAY that even more would be reached in the spring, and that they would be challenged to respond to the truth of the Gospel in a personal way.

Posted by Bob

New Church in Hillerød

The city of Hillerød, with a population of 30,570, has a history that can be traced back four centuries or more.  Hillerød is located in the heart of North Sjælland, approximately 23 miles northwest of Copenhagen.  One of its major attractions is Frederiksborg Castle whose foundations were laid in 1602 during the reign of King Christian IV. The ruins of an Augustinian Monastery, founded in 1175 may be seen just west of the city. 

It is in this historic city that a small group of believers has been meeting for several years in the home of Calvary Chapel pastor Daniel and Lisa Jacobsen. Though not numerous in number, but not despising the day of small things, the small but committed Calvary Chapel group felt led in September to expand its services to include a regular Sunday meeting and to constitute itself as a church.

Because of its small size, Daniel and Lisa have had to be self-supporting in secular jobs.  But Daniel has faithfully done week after week what Calvary Chapels all over the world do so well—teaching the Bible book-by book, chapter by chapter and verse by verse.

It is amazing that though a native-born Dane, Daniel speaks English with a 99 percent pure American accent.  In fact, in 1996 as a boy age 15, he had first visited the United States with his parents.  A “chance” but surely God-directed encounter in a Southern California restaurant with a Danish lady and others from the Costa Mesa Calvary Chapel sitting around a table reading their Bibles was what the Lord used to put the desire in Daniel’s heart to start reading the Word.  Eva, the Danish lady, asked forthrightly, “Are you born again?”  Daniel’s father, though a believer, was rather startled by such a direct question not exactly in harmony with Danish dislike for such confrontation.  That encounter left a deep and lasting impression on Daniel.

The Jacobsen family attended and participated actively in Denmark in several free churches where the emphasis was not on the kind of deeper study of the Bible Daniel yearned for. He was very active in the local church and had led his first Bible study at age 16.  He had a hunger for the Word and pleaded with local church leaders for more emphasis on Bible study, only to receive the answer, “We tried that in the past and we’re not going to try that again!”  Eventually Daniel sensed God’s call to ministry. Ultimately, in answer to that felt call, he headed to the United States in 2000 where he spent two spiritually profitable years of study at Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrietta, California.

Daniel met Lisa at a retreat in 2009 and they eventually married.  The Hillerød Calvary Chapel continues to meet in their home. There are other churches in Hillerød but none that take Daniel’s classic evangelical approach to expository Bible teaching.  More about the church can be found on its web page, www.calvarychapel.dk.  The site has recordings of Daniel’s weekly Bible teaching.  Even though the reader may not speak Danish, listening to his messages, as I have, will give an idea of Daniel’s warm teaching style.

PRAY that the Lord will reward the faithfulness of Daniel and the little flock of believers with an influx of world-weary Danes looking for the “something more” that only the Lord Jesus Christ can satisfy.

PRAY that as the church grows, and in His timing, the Lord would move the Calvary Chapel church to a larger and attractive meeting place.

PRAY that the financial needs of the church will be met so that as the Lord provides Daniel can spend more of his time in evangelism and the grounding of new believers in the Word of God.

PRAY that the Lord would soon call someone with musical gifts to be the worship leader for the new church. 

Posted by Bill Hunter

More “religion” in the preschools

Danish preschoolers are singing more Christian songs and hearing more Bible stories today than they did a decade ago, according to a report just released by University College Syddanmark in Kolding. But they’re also celebrating Ramadan more often.

The study, which looked at the programs in 128 South Jylland preschools, found that over three-fourths now incorporate songs with Christian content. Ten years ago, the figure was just over a third.

Meanwhile, the percentage of preschools celebrating the Islamic month of Ramadan more than tripled, from eight percent to 27 percent.

“We probably have not seen a large increase in Muslim teachers during the past decade,” research contributor Jørgen Boelskov told Kristeligt Dagblad, Denmark’s daily religious news source. “But when educators feel there is religious activity on the part of parents, they respond by incorporating religion in their everyday programs.”

PRAY that these seeds planted in the hearts of Danish children would bear fruit when they hear the truth of the real Jesus.

PRAY that this apparent increase in spiritual interest would lead more families to investigate churches where the Gospel is preached.

PRAY that God would use the upswing in Islam to challenge and equip more Danish Christians to reach out and share their faith.

Posted by Bob

A Window of Opportunity?

More and more people from a state church background are seeking answers in Denmark’s free (non-state-sponsored) churches, according to a recent report in Kristeligt Dagblad, Denmark’s daily religious news source. Pastors quoted in the report say that free churches offer a relevant worship experience and attempt to be both responsive and seeker-friendly.

“We hold fast to what we believe,” says Jakob Viftrup, a free church pastor in Kolding. “And I’m not seeing people stay away. Quite the contrary. People are searching for light during a time when it can be difficult to discover what’s right—and what’s wrong. Among other things, we’re experiencing a large incoming group who are leaving the folkekirke since the approval of same-sex marriage.”

Some 325 free churches in Denmark represent a variety of denominational viewpoints, from Baptist to Pentecostal. But free church leaders quoted in the Dagblad all seem to agree that outside interest is up.

“I don’t have a number,” says Baptist leader Mogens Andersen, “but I have the impression that we’re experiencing an increased influx from the folkekirke (state church). There’s no doubt that free churches are providing a place for the spiritual nature (of life), and that’s what people are moved by.”

Meanwhile, Bishop Elisabeth Dons Christensen of the Ribe Diocese admits that the folkekirke may have neglected to preach some of the more “emotional” aspects of faith. So last year she employed an additional outreach pastor in her area of Sjælland, on the west coast of Denmark.

“As a church, we’ve preached a simple, pure gospel,” she says. “We’ll continue doing so. But perhaps we’ve underestimated the religious feelings of seekers. If we’re going to be the folkekirke, we need to reach out to people.”

PRAY that the Lord will continue to draw many more Danes to himself, and that they will find answers to their questions in the person of Jesus Christ alone.

PRAY for courage among Danish believers to recognize this window of opportunity as they reach out to co-workers, friends and relatives.

PRAY that the state church’s recent decision to endorse same-sex marriage would provide new opportunities for a Biblical, compassionate response from Danish evangelicals.

PRAY for revival, unity and growth among free churches—as well as in the state church.

-posted by Bob