Surprise! They did.
In fact, leaders of the new Vineyard church in Aarhus said they were “completely blown away” when 120 first-time visitors arrived for their inaugural worship gathering March 19. Even more encouraging is that a large portion of those visitors had been invited by family and friends, and had rarely -- if ever -- attended church before.
“Our biggest hope and dream is to be the church for those who aren’t used to
going to church,” explains Simon Walsøe, who recently moved to the city with
his wife Anne to help organize the new outreach. “I think most Danes believe
that they need to have their lives completely in order before they can go to
church. That they have to know exactly what they believe, and live up to
certain rules or morals. But for us, church is actually the opposite -- where
all are welcome, a place where we’re all in process together.”Simon and Anne have planned two followup services, for March 26 and April 2. From there they aim to establish small groups that will meet regularly throughout the city, and then re-gather every three or four weeks as a larger group. After the summer they hope they’ll all be ready to meet for weekly worship.
“We believe Jesus is here with us in this fellowship,” says Simon, “and that it is him who transforms a person’s life. At Aarhus Vineyard there is room for everyone.”
PRAY for the new Aarhus Vineyard fellowship, that God will especially draw unchurched and unsaved people to explore faith in Jesus Christ.
PRAY for the April 2 large gathering, that many more will attend and that they will be drawn to faith and fellowship in small groups through the summer.
PRAY for Simon and Anne Walsøe, that God would bless their church-planting ministry in this needy city.
PRAY for revival to spread throughout Aarhus through this new church … and many others.
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