The Oslo Evangelism Outreach: May 2023

In May 2023, following promptings from the Holy Spirit, Andrea and I booked flights and accommodation in Oslo, Norway. Some will query, why Norway; indeed, that were our thoughts. However, about a year prior to this, Andrea got a dream about Norway. I received a several dreams and one directly about Norway. Remember God can speak through dreams, so can the enemy of souls. (If you are getting dreams and you’re not sure whether it’s God or the enemy, get to a man / woman of God who knows how to decipher them).

Firstly, this is not about Andrea or me, this about a couple who got dreams for another nation and went. We didn’t have a clue what we were to do when we got there, even to where to go to. But then God showed up when we were there. Laura Randolph once said, ‘if God is that big, He should not be that hard to find’. We saw salvations, healings, deliverance, and restoration.

A little history, as from our previous blog (on St Patrick), Christianity reached Ireland around 425AD. Christianity did not reach Norway until the Middle Ages when King Olav of Norway was converted and later became the Country’s patron saint. Prior to this, Norway was a pantheistic society; believing in many gods. In the 1500’s the Lutheran Church became the prominent church in Norway. Today, Norway is largely secular though pockets of Christianity remain. ‘God always keeps a remnant’ in the land.

Oslo is a City of contrasts, from the opulence and grandeur of its architecture and theatres, to the homeless on the streets. The people are friendly and almost everyone we encountered spoke excellent English. They are a stoic, well educated, tolerant and a respectful people. Equality and society are very important to the Norwegians. We were impressed by their wearing of national dress on Pentecost Sunday in May.

The Norwegian’s excellent English made discussions easier. Prior to our trip, we contacted five Churches in Olso, Stavanger and Bergen. We had one return an email from Oslo, though this did not work out as we hoped. However, God always has a plan.

Storgatta St.

God strategically placed us in a hotel near to the where there were things happening in Olso. Within half a kilometre was a lot of drug use, a ‘hub of activity’. Sadly, there were too many watchers and spotters to engage in any meaningful way with the addicts, and many were ‘stoned’. If we go back, we will work along with the local volunteers who we observed helping these people. Please note, Oslo was safe during our trip, though we were ‘clocked’ (noticed) by some individuals. We have a contact from a Christian Group who do amazing work in helping the local addicts (if you wish to help). (We can supply this on request).

This was with a street we walked along to get from the hotel to Oslo City Centre. This is Storgatta St and the Kiwi grocery store along its path. We encountered people taking drugs; on one occasion a guy rocking, his head almost touching his feet, and a woman shaking uncontrollably under the influence. Concerning indeed, as what we mention is not even the half of it. In my many years as a Social Worker with young people in the North of Ireland, I have seen the effects of drugs and drug abuse. In all these years, I have not seen anything approaching the severity and how this drug culture impacts individual people. The Oslo police kept a constant presence nearby.

From Storgatta St we walked in the direction of the Oslo Train Station. We met a man begging on the street. He came from another European Country. We gave him some money and a bar of chocolate, and a few Bible Tracts.

The man, however, did not speak English, only Bulgarian. We bid him farewell, though the Holy Spirit was tugging at us to go back. We had a translation app on a phone, but for the first time it refused to work. (Sometimes the enemy might be hindering you). We got the phone app working when I turned the phone off and on again. We returned and purchased him some lunch and for a chat. We heard his story and journey through a translation application. From this he was led to faith Jesus Christ.

The following day, Andrea and I headed out after prayer in the Hotel room. We chose to take a walk up to the Palace of the King of Norway. We walked along the Karl Johans gate (street), with the Palace prominent in the distance. However, on this day, we didn’t get to reach the Palace. For on the left, behind the National Theatre Building, there was a group of Christians evangelizing.

A curious thing was that there was another group giving out religious material from a marquee nearby. This made for an interesting afternoon. One of the group of Christians engaged with the adjacent religious party.

Now, Andrea and I had a bag of chocolate bars and Bible tracts with us, and she gave a number of these out to people congregating near the fountain. This Christian Group has been evangelizing in this area for the last 4 years. We stumbled upon them by accident or could this have been a ‘divine appointment’. We discussed with the person organizing the meeting and we joined up in helping them. The group had several intercessors in the area.

The meeting was not without its objectors and critics. There was one Norwegian couple who took exception, Andrea and I approached them and helped to calm the man’s irritation somewhat. Another man was more overtly challenging, possibly cursing and swearing at the group and taking pictures.

The group leader asked if I would like a slot to talk myself. This was unnerving as I hadn’t spoken publicly for many years. However, I prayed to the Lord and decided to give a bit of my testimony. I took the microphone for 15 minutes and talked about my, life, my journey and some of my testimony about Jesus Christ. I handed the microphone back and discussed how it had gone with Andrea.

Sometimes you don’t know who’s watching and listening. A young woman approached us and introduced herself. She came from eastern Europe and advised she had studied theology at Bible College. The Holy Spirit prompted me to ask if she was saved. The young lady was unsaved. We led her in the prayer of salvation in Jesus Christ at the square behind the Oslo National Theatre. As Mark 16 V 15 highlights: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”. (NASB).

Later that day four of the group went for coffee and got speaking with a local schoolteacher. The lady was a believer though had many questions; she had been let down by the church she had attended. This is a common issue, our philosophy is that church is like a hospital, there are all sorts of wounded people attending. Sometimes hurting people hurt others. However, this appeared to be more doctrinal. Our discussion was a spectrum of the deity of Jesus Christ, to her questioning of her belief. In the first gospel, the disciples were asking, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. In Matthew Ch 18 V 3 – 5 Jesus called a child to him and said: “3: Truly I say to you, unless you are converted (that is to repent: please see the note below) and become like children you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4: “Whoever humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” 5:”and whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me”. (NASB).

We later went outside and prayed for this dear lady. She accompanied Andrea and I and we had a further conversation with her nearer the Oslo train station. From what we know she continues her engagement with the evangelistic group in Olso.

Towards the latter part of this visit, we attended a Pentecost Sunday event at an Oslo church. We got talking with a local person in the foyer, who appeared unsaved. We spent over 3 hours discussing the Bible and Biblical truths with him. Unfortunately, he did not decide on the day. We prayed that others would engage with him and bring him to faith in Jesus Christ. What was noted by Andrea was another man sitting within earshot and he likely overheard much of the conversation. Who knows if this man is saved, and if not, will he come to faith?

The trip to Norway was to a place we had not thought of going to. It spans the northern most reaches of Europe, and they have a rich history and culture. Part of the country is inside the arctic circle and has perpetual darkness in winter. God willing, we will return to Norway in the future and meet up with the group of friends and people we met there.

The Norwegian parliament building along Oslo’s Karl Johan’s Gate (Street) - left. It is within sight of the Royal Palace of the King of Norway, which is the only Royal residence in Europe, where the public can get up close to.

It is interesting to note that Norway has only approximately 5.4 million people as per the 2021 census.

Prior to Christianity, Norway was a pagan culture, and King Olav became one of the country’s first Christian converts in the Middle Ages. King Olav later became Norway’s patron saint.

The Palace of the King of Norway. It’s the only Palace in Europe where the population can get up close to. It’s gardens to the back are also open to the public. They are beautiful and often frequented by visitors.

Oslo Havnelager, is another impressive, building. A former warehouse converted to a modern office complex. Might God be asking you to repent and make changes to follow him? (Eternal life is only one prayer away).

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