As we travel around Norway and meet people, we experience a strong connection and a shared commitment to issues that many Christians are concerned about. These meetings create a sense of community and unity, and it is inspiring to see how many share our passion for making a difference.
That's why I wanted to write this travelogue to convey that there is life and movement everywhere we go. We meet many people who are devoting time and resources to working towards cultural change, and it is truly encouraging to see how dedicated people are to creating positive change in our society.
Finally, the whole group met, which is usually geographically dispersed across the country. In Søgne, we had two days of meaningful conversations and fellowship where we got to know each other better and gained a deeper understanding of the mandate of the Kristent Ressurssenter. Together, we looked at the needs we face around the country and how we can grow, develop new and useful resources, and gain more ground in the social debates.
Kristent Ressurssenter will participate in the public debate with a clear Christian and biblical standpoint. We use secular studies, statistics and science that confirm that we can trust the Bible's path, and use it fully to understand ourselves and society.
Our work includes exposing falsehoods about gender and sexuality, about cohabitation and marriage, abortion and family structures and instead pointing to a better path where God's Word is the starting point. Our children and youth deserve the very best, and we believe cultural change is possible.
This is the third year in a row that I have participated, invited by Pastor Geir Stomnås from Vennesla Filadelfia. Geir has a strong focus on societal changes that threaten Christianity and church governance. Every year the conference is filled with powerful voices that bring serious messages. The name “Rise Up Church of God” reflects this, as the challenges and responsibility for change lie with the church. I fully support all the speakers and their messages, which is what makes this conference so powerful and relevant. It is truly timely!
Around 600 people made the trip, and the conference was also broadcast live on Channel 10.
I spoke about how queer theory, sexology, and radical sex education originate from the UN, and documented that the UN's Sustainable Development Goals have several objectionable aspects that challenge a Christian value system and sexual morality. In fact, it states that the UN intends to “eliminate all forms of harmful morality.” This implies that the UN positions itself as the authority defining what constitutes right and wrong morality.
Betania Sokndal invited me to a series of meetings where I started with my testimony during the church service, followed by two open meetings and a youth meeting. In addition, I had a full day with a tour of Titania Gruver (Mines), the largest racetrack in the Nordic region, Myssa Bedehus, Gjøssingfjorden and Fredsvarden. Everywhere there were passionate Christian brothers and sisters who were enthusiastic and joyful hosts and spoke warmly about their place. Hear my testimony his.
After the testimony, Pastor Jonny Pettersen shared prophetic words about Daniel and David, which made a strong impression. The youth meeting and the last evening meeting were packed, and several adults listened from outside. They could not believe that the youth were so engaged in learning about how to talk about and confront pride, queer theory and secular sex education. Many benefited from what was said, especially about trusting the Bible and the importance of praying together and for one`s spouse when getting married, as this creates the strongest marriages. Good questions from the audience were also answered, and it was surprising how many confirmed the answers with their own experiences of pride pressure in the workplace. The solution is for people to dare to speak up – that is what is missing.
The youth meeting ended with engaged young people sharing their thoughts and asking questions. What a knowledgeable and passionate group! They spoke warmly and enthusiastically about how great the church is, and that all the young people gather there on Saturdays as part of the village's activities. They also praised the schools for their skilled teachers and mentioned how many young people know Jesus.
Youth leader Edvard Knutshaug and leader of the apologetics group Petra, led by Bonnie, make a significant contribution to equipping the youth in the village with knowledge about defending the faith, how to meet cultural changes from a Christian biblical perspective, and building strong relationships. (picture bottom right)
More experiences and photos from Sokndal:
The trip then went to Jæren, Sandnes, and the Family Church in Gandnes for a series of meetings at the invitation of Pastor John Arve Lunde. Before the meetings, I received an exciting introduction to the youth initiative there. Youth Pastor Elling shared inspiring testimonies of youth who find faith, seek community, and shared examples of how “the people hold them in high regard.”
We had a very good leadership gathering with 60 leaders from the region who participated in a workshop during the day. We created cases that challenged Christian leaders to deal with secular media, which led to demanding discussions. The goal was to show the leaders that they can trust that the Bible is right on issues of gender, sexuality and identity. Science confirms the Bible.
In the evening, the panel consisting of Brynjar Østrem from Foreldre.net, author Kjell Skartveit, commentator Sofie Braut, Tone Lise Gustavsen, Managing Director at Kristent Ressurssenter, and myself met. There was something for everyone present, with different points of view on current topics around gender, sexuality, and secular superstition.
At the youth meeting, Tone Lise led the way, and what a meeting it was! The youth stayed in the room for two hours after the meeting, bought her books, and wanted to talk to our entire team. A 17-year-old girl came over in a flash and exclaimed: “This was the best speech I have ever heard in my entire life!” Tone Lise has a unique ability to reach people with messages of purity and repentance, with truth in love, without compromise. It is honest and engaging, and everything she talks about can be confirmed in secular statistics and studies.
At the airport on the way home, I was interviewed about abortion expansion on Visjon Norge, while Tone Lise and Miriam participated in TV conversations about gender and sexuality in the evening.
To everyone I have met: Thank you so much for the conversations, for sharing, contributing and getting involved in the issues. Thank you so much for all the support and prayers – it helps and it works!
Travel greetings from Truls
