While Danes struggle with the complex political impact of
the recent immigration crisis, another unexpected trend affects them in an
entirely different way:
Hundreds of asylum seekers in this tiny country are coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
Hundreds of asylum seekers in this tiny country are coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
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| photo: Olafur Steinar Gestsson |
According to a recent report in Berlingske, the Danish news
service, 300 recent immigrants are being baptized into Danish state-affiliated
and free churches. Most (250) are from Iran -- a place where it’s (very) illegal
to convert from Islam. In addition, at least 100 more Iranians have been
baptized in the past three months.
Of course it’s impossible to understand everyone’s motives. Some may believe baptism will improve their chances of being accepted as asylum-seekers. But the just-released numbers are significant, and there’s reason to believe the number of questionable conversions is low.
Of course it’s impossible to understand everyone’s motives. Some may believe baptism will improve their chances of being accepted as asylum-seekers. But the just-released numbers are significant, and there’s reason to believe the number of questionable conversions is low.
In Copenhagen’s Apostelkirken (Apostle Church), for example,
a dozen asylum seekers were baptized this past Easter. Pastor Niels Nymann
Eriksen estimates they’re among 100 such converts in the past five to seven
years, in his church alone.“We’re very careful to explain to them that simply converting in itself won’t give them permission to stay,” says Pastor Eriksen. “If they’re sent home, as converts they then have another problem, in addition to the problems they fled.”
So these recent converts from Islam know they would be in even greater danger if they were forced to return. Meanwhile, they’re finding a new Danish home in churches like Apostelkirken, where services are translated into English and now Farsi, the language of Iran.
PRAY for these new brothers and sisters in Christ, that they will find a place in the family of God and new peace in their lives.
PRAY for any who might claim conversion in hopes of improving their case, that the reality of the gospel will shine through in their desperation and need.
PRAY for Danish Christians facing the challenge of dealing with this latest influx of immigrants, that God would give them both wisdom and open hearts.