Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

At our Christmas celebration BIC bid farewell to Ps Geir Sakeseid during a Holy Communion Service, that, was followed by a wonderful Dinner. May God bless you and your Family Geir in your new posting. As we welcome the new year we will also welcome our new Pastor Rev. Arve Hansen Haugland.

Welcome 2009, Welcome Ps Arve

Pastor Geir says good bye

Christmas Day will by the last worship service for Geir Sakseid as the pastor of Bergen International Church.

During the last seven and a half year I have seen this church grow from a small fellowship to a mature congregation. It has been a very exciting time! I am so grateful to God that he gave me this experience. I am also full of thanks to all those people who have walked with me during this time, and who will continue to be a part of this international family after I leave.
There have been many ups and downs since we started to plan this church. After one year of meeting in two small groups, we went ahead with the first official worship service, but then several of our key people left Bergen for other assignments. Still we struggled on. As some left, more people have always come. Even some of those who left in the early days have now returned from abroad and have become very active again.

I am sure that our God, who is behind this ministry, will also strengthen the church in the time ahead. We may not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future! God bless you all.

P.S. The new pastor will soon be presented!

Student Welcome Barbeque

On the 23 August, Bergen International Church joined with Fantoft Christian Fellowship, KIA, Bergens Kirken and Støretveit Church to welcome new students to Bergen. Over 150 students were hosted to a sumptuous Barbeque complete with a fact filled quiz at the end of it all. Welcome to Bergen.

International Women's Group

Susan Barnard from the UK is one of the ladies who have started the new International Women's Group in Bergen. The group is not related to any church, but holds its meetings in the parish hall of St. Markus Church. Susan writes:

You may have seen an advertisement in the Bergens Tidende for this group. We have just formed and are looking for new members from the International and Norwegian communities. Our aim is to meet for the purposes of speaking English, developing new interests and making new friends. We also hope to smooth the transition to life in Norway through invited speakers from the local community. Our first meeting was a resounding success with over 30 attendees and we now have 50 members from many countries including Norway. We plan to hold two informal meetings each month, one during the day and one during the evening so that you will be able to come along whatever your work schedule and if you like you can come to both! If you are interested in joining then e-mail us at iwgbergen@gmail.com or call Susan on 93 86 03 15. We look forward to meeting you!

A new baby in the family?

“You must be born again”.
This is what Jesus told Nicodemus, the Jewish leader who had come to him at night to talk with him. We find the story in the gospel of John, chapter 3. We sometimes use the term “born again” in the sense of being a bit fanatic, like a “born-again football fan” or a Christian who is a bit over-enthusiastic about his faith. But what does Jesus really mean when he says that “no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” and that “no-one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit”?

Read more in "Pastor's Pasture".

Outreach to India

Three former members of one of our cell groups, two of them now returned to Hong Kong, have been on a mission trip to India. They can report that God could use them in marvellous ways:

We were scheduled to do programs in schools in the slum in the mornings and kids club in the afternoon,but God let us have so many other opportunities to share with people. We shared the Gospel with people on the buss, in factories near the churches, the guesthouse we stayed at, and even the cell group meetings, new people came to look at us, and ended up accepting Jesus. It was amazing to See that though our words were simple, it was the Word of God being spread and it had power. The hearts of people were really open and ready, and around 90 accepted Jesus! Praise the Lord. Though we were out and around from 7 in the morning till 11 at night, with less than an hr to rest, it was so rewarding and God gave us strength, It was so encouraging to be a part of the work that was done by the poor there, and see the passion the people had for the Lord. Hearing all the prayers getting answered and worshiping with the Christians there, it was a real blessing to all of us. And we feel privileged to have been a part of it. Our heart are full of thanksgiving and gratitude to the Lord for all He has done, as we continue to pray for the people of India. Thank you for praying and please continue to pray for the newly converted and the Christians in India. The fields are ready for harvest, and new leaders need to rise and serve in the ministry.

Daffy, Lindy and Jo

Farewell party for Frode

Last weekend was time to say goodbye to Frode (at the far right of the picture).
He is now leaving for Mali in West Africa. Frode is going to be a missionary among the Fulani people, which is 99.99% Muslim.

On Friday evening some of us gathered in Jack and Brenda's house, where the picture is taken.

Remember to keep Frode in your prayers. You can keep in touch with him on his own blog (see the link menu).