Things are warming up in the small town of Skjern (western
Denmark), where believers have turned a cold storage facility into a beautiful
new multi-purpose worship center. Late last month, much of the town and
well-wishers from surrounding cities crammed into the new 600-seat sanctuary at
the Skjern Bykirke (City Church) to celebrate.
During opening ceremonies September 23, Copenhagen-area
pastor Niels Jørn Fogh complemented the growing independent Lutheran
congregation for their vision.
“But I don’t think this church center is just an expression
of your West Jylland pioneering spirit and building skills,” he told them.
“It’s also an expression of how the Holy Spirit leads, works, and encourages.”
The building now hardly resembles the former Danish Crown
meat packing center. Besides opening up a large space for worship, the new church
facility also includes plenty of room for youth, offices, and a café. Skilled
and unskilled volunteers provided much of the needed labor.
“We believe it’s going to be a place where more people in
Skjern can meet Jesus,” said congregation president Jan Christiansen. “We’re
really praying for that. That more people will meet Jesus through us.”
Skjern Bykirke was established in 2006, and is part of the
Evangelical Lutheran free congregations. It currently includes 430 members, but
that number will be growing!
PRAISE GOD for
this new facility, and for the impact this church will have on a small
community.
PRAY for the leadership
at Skjern Bykirke, for wisdom as they follow what God is doing there.
PRAY with this
congregation that more people will come to know Jesus in Skjern and the
surrounding countryside.
PRAY that this
entrepreneurial example will encourage other believers throughout Denmark to
step out where the Spirit of God leads.