Jesus To Europe » News

Photo of the week: Jesus Revolution filming

Paul — Wed, 05 May 2010 13:01:37 +0000

We are getting closer to the launch of the Jesus Revolution groups in August, and these last weeks have been very busy! We have managed to launch our new jesusrevolution.com and to finish one of the manuals which is now being designed and translated into 5 languages. 2 weeks ago, we also started our filming project, where we recorded, testimonies, preachings, and a drama instruction video, that we will have as a resource for the evangelistic groups that start…God is good!

Photo of the week: What did they live for?

Paul — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:31:41 +0000

This is the church just around the corner from our place. I come here sometimes just to reflect over life. What did these people live their lives for? Hopefully for something bigger than themselves. Humbling to think that this is where we will end up one day. But by the grace of God, we can make an impact for eternity.

The year of births

Paul — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:15:07 +0000

How blessed we are! This year we will see the birth of two wonderful things. The first is our child, whom we can’t wait to meet! The second is the Jesus Revolution groups project, that we look forward to launch. While preparing to share with our teams, I discovered some great similarities between the birth of a child and the birth of a vision:

1/Conceived in intimacy

Our child was conceived in the intimacy of our couple, the Jesus Revolution groups project was conceived in intimacy with God. He placed his thoughts in our minds. It says of Mary that she was “found to be with child of the Holy Spirit”, and that is how we have felt for this project!

2/ Gestation

What started as one cell in Guro’s stomach is now developing before birth. It is exciting to follow the different stages that the baby is going through! In a similar way, the project was developed these last years. As a cell contains everything needed for multiplication, we have come forth to a form in which Jesus Revolution can be multiplied to the local churches.

3/ Birth: a miracle

In the beginning of September I will be holding a miracle in my hands, amazed at what God is able to create out two human beings! In August, I will be seeing the beginning of a miracle when we launch the JR groups project after these years of preparation.

Birth is the sudden opening of a window, through which you look out upon a incredible prospect. For what has happened? A miracle. You have exchanged nothing for the possibility of everything.

4/ Growth

Our healthy child will naturally grow, the project will increase in the hands of God!

Week in France

Paul — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:04:15 +0000

Wow! I came back just a few days ago from an intense week in France. First I traveled to Lyon for PEFY (pentecostal european forum for youth) where we had some good conversations with youth leaders from all over Europe about the Jesus Revolution Groups project. It was great to meet other people that have a vision for youth!

After that I went down to Marseille for some cosy time with the family! It was the opportunity to see Esther, Reinald and new-born Joanna, and as a bonus Chris and Mum were there!

After my time in Marseille, I went back up to Lyon, where I was invited by Elam, a cross-church evangelistic group in Lyon to preach at their retreat week-end (photo above). Interestingly enough, the leaders of the group, the Pomier family, were part of the Ywam base that Mum and Dad were a part of 25 years ago! Philippe, the father, had some good anecdotes about Dad. He said that Dad was the first one to get him to preach (in a gipsy church in Troyes). He also said that he was impressed at how Dad never got angry (specially with a difficult girl that he personally would have “killed”).

All in all I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and felt like I received so much after I had given the little that I have. God is good! Here are some photos from the trip:

Joanna, my niece born a few weeks ago

Keziah, another of my nieces

Yet another beautiful niece!

Chris, my brother

Photos: Jonna and Andreas Wedding

Paul — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:48:21 +0000

We have just come back from Finland where we enjoyed being at Jonna and Andreas’ wedding. Here are some photos from their great day! (Click on the photos for bigger versions)

The church

the bride and her father

Standing and the altar

Being prayed for

First kiss as husband and wife

Coming out and very happy!

on the way out

Rice shower

Toast at the reception

Speech of the bridegroom

Speech of the bride

Maids of honor

Best men

The 10 most significant events for Europe in the last decade (2000-2009)

Paul — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:38:55 +0000

2 Apr. 2005

Pope John Paul II dies. Pope Benedict XVI is elected Pope

1 Sep. 2004

The Beslan massacre. Chechen militants took more than 1,100 people (including 777 children) hostage. Russian security forces eventually stormed in. At least 334 hostages were killed, including 186 children.

From 5 Oct. 2000

The color revolutions and new countries. Peaceful revolutions lead to the overthrow of leaders in Yougoslavia, Georgia and Ukraine. Yougoslavia becomes Serbia and Montenegro. Kosovo separates itself from Serbia.

1 May 2004

10 new members are accepted into the European Union in 2004. Leads to treaty of Lisbon in 2007.

11 Mar. 2004

191 people are killed in the Madrid Train Bombings.

July 7, 2005

Suicide Bombers attack London’s public transit system, killing 56 people.

1 Jan. 2002

The Euro replaces the currencies of 12 of the EU’s 15 members.

June 2009

The outbreak of the H1N1 influenza strain, commonly referred to as “swine flu”, is deemed a global pandemic, becoming the first condition since the Hong Kong flu of 1967–1968 to receive this designation.

From 2001

Wars in Irak and Afghanistan. In 2001, the US and British armies launch their attack on Afghanistan in reply to September 11th attacks. In 2003, following a report on WMD in Irak, the US begin the invasion with the UK, Denmark, Spain and Poland.

From end of 2007

The recession: Years of risky loans in the US and Europe lead to a massive loss of jobs, bankruptcies and a redefinition of world economies.

11 Sep. 2001

Attack on the twin towers. This event marked the coming of terrorism on the world arena, as people all over watched in horror the 2 planes crashing on the towers. This attack also lay the foundation for the wars in Afghanistan and Irak.

Photo of the Week: Snoverflow

Paul — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:02:05 +0000

The snow came just before Christmas, and so far about half a meter of snow has fallen…so we have been skiing, and enjoying the warmth of our homes…and celebrating a white Christmas!

At Guro's parents...

So…what happened in 2009

Paul — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:36:08 +0000

Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.”
Harvey MacKay

Our year in pictures

Christmas and New Year are approaching again, and it feels like this year has almost passed by in a blink. So, what actually happened in our lives during 2009? Here is a little summary:

Birthdays: Both Guro and I celebrated our 25th birthdays, while both Mum and Guro’s dad John have celebrated their 60th!
Summer Team: We were in Italy again this year, we saw God do great things and I had the opportunity to make a video series.
Work: Guro started working for TBBMI, our new Bible School, 50 students have joined, an amazing blessing for the first year of the school in Oslo. I have been working on our new “Jesus Revolution Groups” project which you can read about here.
Holidays: We had a great time in Calais, France with the whole family.
Studies: Guro has been studying Norwegian and History, while I have been learning the Norwegian language, with a final exam in January!
Death: Guro’s grandfather passed away at the age of 93, 2 months ago.
Travels: Some great times in Le Gault la Forêt teaching in a Ywam school, and in Croatia presenting our new project.

Jesus Revolution – feels like being alive…

Paul — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:00:04 +0000

The first snow of the year is falling around me as I stand freezing in front of a pride of Norwegian culture, the National Theater. In front of me, despite the weather, 8 youth are dancing and singing. It’s a normal Friday evening, and many people are walking home to find the comfort of their homes. But as they hear the hip-hop beat, they stop, look on and smile, curious about what this is. Some move their heads to the beat, while others just stand, shaking the snow off their jackets.

But the real fun starts for me when the dance is over. Daniel, a young Norwegian takes the microphone and starts boldly proclaiming how Jesus came to die for us, and forgives us of our sins. If you were to do a study of human reactions, this would be a good place. A quite diverse variety of expressions appear on people’s faces. Some turn quizzical, and you can almost hear their thoughts: “Is this possible? Do they really believe in all of this?” Others put on a sardonic, mocking smile as if the words spoken will never have an entrance to their hearts. Several just seem thoughtful.

Attracting a crowd despite the weather

In the middle of the preaching I catch some Norwegian words exchanged behind me: “are they serious?” I turn round and start a conversation with a tall young man. The conversation lasts 10 minutes, and in the end I have answered some of his questions about free will, hell, God and Jesus. He asks if we will be there next Friday and leaves with a smile: “I like speaking about these things you see.”

Around me, the others from the group are sharing their hearts out and praying for people. A few minutes later I get the report. “There’s someone over there that just gave his life to Jesus!” After 3 street shows, it’s time to go home. Many have heard about Jesus, been prayed for and challenged to draw nearer to God. We leave, grateful that our Creator can use us in this way and our minds are filled with these thoughts: “this is what we’re meant for, this feels like being alive.”

Photos from the Ywam teaching in France

Paul — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:27:45 +0000

The teaching week on evangelism has just ended in Gault la Forêt. The students are on their way to Marseille for the outreach. I has been a good and challenging week (I’m not used to teach that much). Today I had the opportunity to preach at the church in Sézanne. It was quite moving to be there, and see new faces, and familiar people still going strong.

Here are some photos from the teaching week:

Elise and Samuel, leaders of the school

Abraham sacrificing Isaac (for the sake of teaching only)

Art shot :-)

And I had some time to chill this week-end, so put up the new design for our web that I have been playing around with…hope you enjoy!