Traditional methods still make an impact in secular Finland

<p>5 December 2016 | Kuopio, Finland [Sibrina Kalliokoski]&nbsp; Even in secular Finland, traditional evangelistic methods can still reach people. The fifth evangelistic visit of Richard and Mary Halversen from Florida, USA has clearly demonstrated that, with meetings held in Kuopio Adventist church, central Finland, some 380km north-east of Helsinki.</p>

News December 5, 2016

5 December 2016 | Kuopio, Finland [Sibrina Kalliokoski]  Even in secular Finland, traditional evangelistic methods can still reach people. The fifth evangelistic visit of Richard and Mary Halversen from Florida, USA has clearly demonstrated that, with meetings held in Kuopio Adventist church, central Finland, some 380km north-east of Helsinki.

Finland Halvorsen 2016
Front row left: Evangelist Richard Halversen with the new members. Back row far right: Pastor Klaus Kalliokoski.
Previous series run by the Halversens have all been held in public venues. Their very first programme began in the famous Finlandia Hall, Helsinki. How would it work running the programme in a local church and supported by local church members?

Perhaps it was the local support that was important. The whole programme was a team effort between members, the Halversens and the local pastoral team, Klaus and Sibrina Kalliokoski.

“It was God’s great miracle from the very start,” states, Klaus Kalliokoski. “It was amazing that people in secular Finland came in to listen to Bible prophecies in an Adventist church.”

The small church was packed with excited listeners. For most people, this was their first time in an Adventist Church. Many said, “This is what I have been searching for and now I have found it,” or “I sensed the power of the Holy Spirit and peace of mind as I entered in to the Church.”

Now, after five weeks of meetings and an initial baptism, ten new members have joined the Adventist family.

“It was just a joy to observe how God was working in the hearts and minds of the listeners by His Word and His servants” Kalliokoski says. As a pastor and evangelist, he also translated for Halversen, and he will continue the work alongside his wife Sibrina, a pastor and psychotherapist.

“There is still a lot interest,” she says. “There is no greater joy in the work of the Lord than to see the joy of salvation on the faces of people who have found their Saviour Jesus.” [tedNEWS]


tedNEWS Staff: Victor Hulbert, director; Esti Pujic, editor
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