Sweden once was alive with Christianity. Belief in God was commonplace. Today less than 10% of the population confidently believe there is a God. (Ann Arbor News Report) While many immigrants to Sweden hold to their belief in God, Swedish nationals are becoming more and more secular.
Some Swedish nationals are staying firm in their belief in God and are called to become pastors and leaders. God can use these leaders to bring revival to Sweden.
Biblical Education is needed in Sweden!
Much of the clergy training in Sweden is even shifting away from theological training (Christianity Today). Biblical education is becoming rare in Sweden. In this setting, students like Mats Jonsson are looking for Biblical education.
Mats Jonsson is a follower of Jesus Christ. He is married to Sarah. Together they have one son named Linus. He’s called to minister in Malmo, Sweden.
Mats Jonsson has sought Biblical education online at Christian Leaders Institute. Here is his story.
“I a volunteer as an Assistant Pastor/Leader for an international Christian Fellowship for more than 7 years now and I love the diversity in our community but a diversity unified in the love in Jesus Christ.
“We live in the very south part of Sweden in an area which is one of the most secularized parts of Sweden. Around 30% of the people living in Malmo, the third biggest city, are foreign. Mainly people from Denmark, Irak, Bosnia, and Polen, but overall 171 nations are represented in Malmo. Many of these people are coming from Muslim countries, have never heard of the Gospel, are coming from horrible backgrounds, war and conflicts. It is hard reaching these people but we are doing what we can, reaching out, building bridges, connecting.
“My ministry dream is to continue to grow in the knowledge of God in order to be able to help, guide and mentor people in our community.
“I want to continue to build bridges from our ministry/church out into the the society and then create pathways back to our fellowship, I dream and hope to do that here in Sweden or at any other place on earth God wants us to go.”
Biblical education is very important to Mats. Mats wants to use his Biblical education to be prepared to lead in the planting of churches and fellowships.
Mats says, “We, as a family, want more than ever not only to plant churches/fellowships but also to ‘be’ the church. I want to continue to study and get educated to make sure I have a good and strong knowledge in the word of God and get equipped so that I can be able to face the many challenges on the way.”
Mats found the Lord through his wife. His wife brought him to a church that preached Christ as Savior and Lord.
“I was drawn in to the ministry and got saved through my wife. She was the one who took me to church and showed me the way many years ago.”
Now together they are growing in Christ. Mats is getting the Biblical education online that he needs to prepare himself to lead others to the Lord. He is also being prepared to plant churches and bring revival to the nation of Sweden.
Note From Henry Reyenga, President of Christian Leaders Institute (CLI):
The spirit of revival was in the air in 2006. That is the year CLI began offering free online Biblical training. The Azusa Street Revival included peoples from many nations. CLI is raising leaders for an international revival back to God. Thanks Dr. James J. Zoblisien for his submission of this wonderful eye witness account of the Azusa Street Revival.
Azusa Street Revival
by Dr. James J. Zobisien
By: James Cridland
Many out there that I have encountered has asked if the Holy Spirit is still effective as it was in the upper room during the Pentecost outpouring. We tend to see the devastation that is around us and lose focus about the power and the authority that we have through the Holy Spirit and question about God’s sovereignty. Unless you experience the Holy Spirit it would seem impossible to understand His magnificent presence and glory. The characteristic of the Holy Spirit doesn’t alter through out time, only that born of flesh is able to change.
Now, it has been some time since that day I attended the Azusa Street Revival in 2006 located in Las Angeles California, but the memories of that week is still refreshed in my heart and mind like it was yesterday. I can relate to those who were in that upper room with the disciples when the Holy Spirit descended upon the one hundred and twenty that was gathered in one accord. There sat upon them was a life changing experience…and so was for me. The Holy Spirit is at work for all of us today as He was the day of Pentecost.
We need to allow the presence and the anointing of the Holy Spirit to work in each of our lives that we can enjoy all what God has in store for us upon this earth. There are those who live out their lives traveling throughout the world hoping to experience something miraculous, where I had the opportunity in one week. Allow me to share with you that time I encountered the world.
Azusa Street Revival
1 When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it
filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as
the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4 NKJV)
It has been many years since the last Pentecostal movement I attended back in 2006 in Los Angeles California during the Azusa Street Revival. I became a witness of one in thousand individuals who partaken this incredible mass movement.
This is the event that I had experienced and observed with my own eyes the week of the Azusa Street Revival Centennial in Los Angeles, a life-changing experience that has dramatically altered and transformed me into a different person in Christ. It was a week when the whole world united under one house (they were all with one accord in one place-verse 1), for one purpose.
This event brought thousands of people from different parts of the world gathering together in harmony, each searching what others crave with their lives. It was a time when the world put aside their differences in which your color, denomination, clothing, style, language, or origin did not matter. I was amazed to witness south meets north, east meets west, in agreement with people they never came into contact with before in their entire lives. All people from different continents came under one agenda, to seek out the same Pentecostal movement, that spiritual awakening, which first started in the upper-room in Jerusalem that later took place with one man named William Seymour.
Since the last out-pouring of the Holy Spirit that started one hundred years ago on the streets of Azusa in the year of 1906, many individuals have searched frantically for revival to come into existence, starting with their church, reaching through their cities eventually throughout the world. As I have read and seen many books that offer ways that lead into this great outpouring I have noticed that people waiting for revival will keep searching and waiting for maybe another one-hundred years. God said, “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh” (Joel 2:28). I feel that Christians today are looking to far and to hard for revival promises and the Spirit to be poured out and just claim what the Word of God declares. The same Pentecostal movement does not have to be put off or wait another century which the world can experience the here and now. William Seymour stated, “The Lord Jesus is ready to fill the hungry, thirsty soul. Receive Him and He will fill you.” Could it be that simple and all we need is a hungry and thirsty soul to be filled by the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit and be willing to receive?
It was that first meeting of a Tuesday morning that we all congregated at the Los Angeles Convention Center to start our journey not only back in time but also for a renewal. Thousands assembled with their Christian family and joined in unity simultaneously as if all were closely knitted together. Hands from Russia joined with those from Africa, Asia with Canada and the United States linked with those from Iran. Rage of hate and anger was being replaced with embraces of love and encouragement. It’s as if heaven came down and rested right on earth and there was final peace between all of mankind. All hands extended towards heaven, praising and worshipping the true and living God, to the Almighty, the Ancient of Days. Voices rang out in harmony as if hymns of angels were being proclaimed saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. Who was and is and is to come!” (Rev 4:8). Reverence to the Father was rising from the children of God as if where a sweet fragrance that engulfed all of heaven from the “Altar of Praise”. I felt like God was observing from heaven, looking down upon His children and gleamed with delight as if He Himself was waiting for this time in eagerness.
Tears that rolled down the faces of many burdened people where not of anguish due to opposition but of peace, hope, and the pure and holy love of God. Afflictions were being lifted, souls surrendering, nations being restored because of the lives being totally transformed in an instant from the old self to the new, due to the Power of the Holy Spirit.
The first sermon delivered on that blissful California morning, pertained to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit Himself anointed and took rest upon the guest speaker as he delivered this powerful homily that created raves of cheer that echoed throughout the Convention center. Many relished as the air thickened with the presence of the Most Holy One (and it filled the whole house where they were sitting), weaving in and out of each person that was willing and hungry to receive. Nations burst into tongues that were unfamiliar to their primitive language (Then there appeared to them divided tongues) that only the Spirit could decipher. Different cultures were hearing their own language spoken by those from another continent, distant from their own country or nation. It was language that was created and ordained only by God that would fill His ears with splendor.
People from the world came to repentance as they wept under the weight of their sins as the Holy Spirit brought upon strong convictions. They were of young and old age, strong men of statue to fragile children who felt their hearts being beckoned back to the “Old Rugged Cross.” Besides the miracle of salvation, in one day there were three hundred people that received Baptism in that Pentecostal Holy Spirit. Others who have witnessed this miraculous event realized how it felt on that day in the upper room as well with William Seymour in that old house that now resides only the memories of past historical events.
That whole week of the Azusa Street Revival was filled with life changing, spirit filled sermons, inspirational worship that took all to different heights, and lectures from inspirational people who took you out of your seats to a newer pinnacle. Thousands hit the streets to be a witness of our Lord Jesus Christ daily to win the souls who where once in a lost and dying city. Los Angeles had no idea that it would be changed, transformed from the hand and grace of the Almighty God. The fog that once hovered over Los Angeles was replaced by the awesome and powerful presence of the Holy Spirit.
The world would soon be submerged in the Pentecostal revival as each countryman/woman takes what they have encountered back to their nation thanks to one mans desire for a Pentecostal movement in a small house who dwelt people with a hungry heart.
On a personal note, I myself will never be the same as I traveled the world in one week meeting the people that I will soon spend eternity with. I touched all seven continents of the world in this short week as we all were engulfed in the continual presence of the Supreme God. The nations had one interest, one desire to either bring earth closer to heaven or heaven closer to earth. I feel as though both were successful. If this is just a touch of heaven that I have encountered then I can’t wait for the real thing. My only prayer is that I hope that revival doesn’t stop where it ended but starts where it began.
It was an event that will remain in my mind as well in my heart for the rest of my life.
You can contact Dr. James Zoblisien for any details concerning this article.
Dr. James J. Zoblisien
Emmanuel Ministries International
Preparingyourway@gmail.com
(716) 206-8441
One of the great challenges of having biblical training entirely online is teaching students about preaching. How do you teach a student how to create and deliver a sermon with only an Internet connection? Don’t you need time in the classroom? These were all things that we struggled with when the first class about learning to preach went live. Through trial and error we found that there are a few factors that can deliver a great sermon construction class without the overhead of a seminary building or face-to-face interaction. First I’ll show you a couple things that we tried that didn’t work. Then we’ll go over what did.
What we did wrong in Our Sermon Construction Class
One of our first ideas was video. Everyone today has some sort of camera, whether it’s a digital camera or just something built into a mobile phone or laptop. So when we approached the idea of including sermon construction in our biblical training, we thought this was a brilliant application of technology. Have students write the sermon, then video themselves giving the sermon! The video then had to be submitted for credit.
It did seem like a great idea, but as time went on it became increasingly clear that this was not the way to go. We began encountering problems as our biblical training spread to poorer countries where people often did not have video equipment. Others had such a slow connection speed that their upload kept getting interrupted. Some were just too poor quality to get a good impression. Clearly video sermons were not going to work.
When constructing our first class on preaching methods, we also decided to have one professor give examples of all the different styles in conjunction with the course work. This seemed like a great idea as well. After all, in a traditional seminary setting there would be one professor for a course. In online biblical training, why not have that professor give a video example of each style of preaching so that students could see it in action?
What we did right in our Sermon Construction class
When it became clear to us that some methods just weren’t working to their full potential, we reexamined our approach to teaching preaching. One of the first ideas that we came up with was replacing the video sermons in our biblical training with a mentor relationship. Instead of sending a video to us, students now read their sermons to their mentors and take a mentor-guided survey after the sermon is delivered. This puts a lot of trust in the mentors, but we at Christian Leaders Institute have found that students who are called by God can pick good mentors who will fill this role even above what we hope and expect. This mentor relationship takes some of the burden off CLI and reduces faculty overhead.
As we looked at the various methods of preaching we thought about the value of the Internet. The very tool that we were using to reach thousands of called leaders throughout the world had a wealth of resources that we weren’t even tapping into for our class. Many pastors had sermons available in video format online. Many pastors had instructional videos available online. Instead of using a single faculty member in our biblical training to illustrate sermon construction and various preaching methods, why not use pastors who were known for and excelled in each specific model?
We consulted Google, and our queries turned up excellent examples of the different styles of preaching. Now, instead of featuring a single faculty member delivering brief examples of each method, our sermon construction class features many different pastors each giving a full sermon in the style in which they excel. This concept has revolutionized our biblical training. Even our students recognize the value of having the various pastors preaching in their respective styles. One student wrote,
“I thank all of the Pastors who let Christian Leaders Institute to use their sermons to help us in our walk. I watch Billy Graham even now when there is a re-run on TBN. I watch Oral Roberts, Kenneth Copeland, Jimmy Swagart, Benny Hinn, and TD Jakes. I now added a number of new generation preachers to my “favorites” list of Preachers. Students of Christian Leaders Institute are truly blessed to be able to receive biblical training from so many wonderful preachers and professors for a great job well done on this course. Thank you CLI for this amazing course.”
The Necessity for Preaching Instruction in Biblical Training
Sermon Construction and Presentation is an important class for students for a variety of reasons. First, whether a student is studying specifically for a pastoral call or not, Sermon Construction and Presentation gives them the tools to make sure that their message is clear and concise. Youth leaders will be able to craft better event plans. Sunday school teachers will be able to create lessons their students won’t forget. Leaders within the church will learn how to present themselves when speaking in front of others.
Of course, the biblical training holds the greatest importance for those who desire to assume the pastoral role. In fact, many students who have already been serving as pastor for many years have found that this course has been a great help to them. One student says,
“To conclude, I had several opportunities to preach in churches and before I took this course I thought I had the correct methodology for sermon writing and preaching. But in going through the course I find myself as a little child discovering for the first time a mathematics theorem and trying the best he or she can to apply it now and then. I was so excited in learning more and more about sermon construction. The whole course opened my eyes on what was a true preparation for sermon it’s not only about how we study the word but it’s also about how we present the word. It doesn’t only require a good speech but also a proper behavior. So in order to prepare a sermon one has to give himself completely: Spirit, mind, soul and body.”
Whether the person taking our sermon construction course is somebody who is called to be a church leader or somebody already in a leadership position, we have heard from our students that it is a very effective class and a valuable tool for them. It gives them more confidence in their preaching. It shows them new possibilities for preaching. It gives them much needed biblical training. Most of all, it opens them up so that the Holy Spirit can do greater works through them. As we consider the impact of an online Bible school on worldwide revival, we cannot underestimate the value of a good sermon construction class.