Rocky

I came home to Stockholm yesterday after a longer period of time out of the country, and had such a great time with my kids! They are really growing up. We giggled and laughed hard during supper, they are so wonderful! Maria worked the night shift so I saw the first "Rocky movie" from 1976...


I'm gonna see all the Rocky movies on my time off during this spring, it's a promise! Sylvester Stallone playes the role so well as the "Italian Stallion" from Philadelphia. A mediocre boxer and looser that get's a chance to fight for the heavy weight boxer title and breaks through from the hoods and becomes a famous boxer! An old "sob story" for men, a real classic that you just must see, kind of like the "God Father" movies... Rocky trains in the cooling room of the slaughterhouse and hits his hands to bloody raw meat, runs through the streets with bricks in his hands and fitness trains on the staircases in the city. I love the whole thing, a fighter with a simple working-class background that fights to survive... I've inherited my passion for boxing from my dad that used to box during the later half of the sixties... We're many that weren't born with silverspoon in our mouths, but we fight to do more than survive - and we win, especially when Jesus steps into the ring!

Tonight I'm meeting with my SOS leaders in Sweden (the Pastoral team of SOS Church Stockholm) in our home to pray, read the Bible and and plan! I'm longing for them!

See ya!

On My Way Home

Oh what a weekend we've had at Morning Star Fellowship outside of Philly... We have prayed with about 80 people to salvation, a little more than 30 have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and Jesus has healed many sick! I'm so glad that I've gotten to know Pastor Steve and his wife Liz as well, they have really spoiled me and the team, we loved being together with them!

I'm getting on the plane in just a couple of minutes, on my way home to Stockholm again... Tomorrow's my day off... I'm longing to see Maria and the kids now, it will be soo nice to come home again!

See ya soon!

Holy Spirit!

The Philadelphia skyline...

I'm still working in the outskirts of Philadelphia... Philadelphia is known for the American Constitution, the Rocky movies and Cheese Steak... It's a tough city and region that is wide open for the gospel... I'm preaching two more services before I fly home... About 15 people ran to the front tonight on the salvation invitation and a little more than 30 were baptized in the Holy Spirit and started speaking in tongues for the first time! I'm enjoying to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and His work. There is nothing like a real powerful baptism in the Holy Spirit!

Pastor Emma Gustafsson will soon be preaching home in Stockholm city at "Restaurant Hatam", click here for directions... Daniel Elvelyck is the MC, Julia Willkander leads worship and Carlos is baptising Carlos ;). Oh, if I could be home with my heroes! Koinonia (fellowship of the first church) around the tables (Persian buffé) and baptismal feast in the Elim Church at 6:30pm! If you are curious of SOS Church, don't miss the service that starts at 4pm! Expectancy just grows! Who will be saved the next time we meet? Who will be baptized? Who will baptize? Who'll be baptised in the Holy Spirit this week? Who'll receive an answer to prayer or a miracle from God? Life with the Holy Spirit as guide and helper is so exciting! SOS Church Stockholm is being formed and given birth to... We'll soon have our own place, continue to pray! SOS Mission Bible College will soon be in the midst of the asphalt jungle! The Second Year will soon start! Wow, life is at its best right now!

See ya!

The Twin Turrets Inn

I had my first service at Pastor Steve DeFrain’s church Morning Star Fellowship yesterday. The church is located in Bechtelsville in the outskirts of Philadelphia, they are about 1000 members and have 5 daughter churches. Steve and his people are real pioneers and church planters and we felt a deep connection from the beginning. It’s so good with genuine people that really love God! The church Morning Star has just begun a Daniel’s fast, what an atmosphere and anticipation that filled the house when worship started. I preached short and about 15 people were saved, then we prayed for the sick and five people witnessed of physical healings from the stage at the end of the service. We sold quite a bit of my books and stayed at the concourse talking to people long after the service… Then we went to AppleBees and I had a Ribeye steak, Steve and his people are fasting and it felt a little silly to eat in front of them, but I still enjoyed it;), USA is steak for me!

My little SOS team (Peter, Jonatan and I) are staying at the coziest 19th century boarding house that I’ve ever seen! The mayor of Boyertown, Marianne Deery runs The Twin Turrets Inn. She is a great lady with a wonderful sense of humor! She serves us breakfast when we want to and we can eat what we want. She cooks, serves and clean our rooms… I’ve never been so well taken care of by a mayor before… The US is fantastic, what warmth and hospitality!

See ya!

Harvest Cry 09

I played table tennis today in an attempt to do some fitness training instead of running on the treadmill, I hate the treadmill… I was drenched in sweat after 30 minutes of playing with Cullen Allen (Associate Pastor at Allison Park Church, Pittsburgh)… Tomorrow I’m leaving together with Peter Almqvist and Jonatan Kvist to preach in Philadelphia…

"Plattan" is the center square of Stockholm.

We are nailing the schedule for our annual Harvest Cry right now, and this year it just feels sooo much SOS! We’ll have the event downtown Stockholm either at Park (a cinema) or Nalen (a night-club and conference center), we’re still working on where… We’ll have outreach between 10 pm and midnight at "Plattan" the huge center square instead of late night shows on Friday and Saturday! There will be many new, fresh ideas and the entire event breathes freshness and new thinking this seventh year, which is the year of completion or perfection, of the missions festival! Stockholm here we come! Make sure to mark this weekend down in your calendar, May 22nd to 24th, and do a weekend in Stockholm! You won’t regret it, I promise!

See ya!

On Adventure with my little Wife!

I preached at two services at the Leake’s Allison Park Church yesterday. I preached about God’s love: the Agape love, how Jesus washed the feet of both Judas and Peter even when he knew that they one would betray and one deny him just a few hours later… Love is the greatest! Many were saved, hallelujah!

I borrowed a motor cycle of Andy, a good friend here… And with a very pretty girl behind I cruised downtown Pittsburgh and ate at a real "hash house" before we checked in at the Hilton, saw a good movie… Romance… ;) Today I’ve worked out at the hotel gym and had breakfast with my wife; her green-blue eyes are so beautiful… Thank you wonderful Nina for sending my darling here and also booked and paid for a night at the Hilton! We’re rich to have friends! Today it’s spring weather here and we will royally enjoy this day off!

I just received a text message from home saying that we’ll baptize a new believer next Sunday in SOS Church Stockholm, Carlos Alfredo from El Salvador! Baptism again! Who will be baptized the next time? Who’s life will Jesus change after next?! Life with the Spirit is so exciting and wonderful!

I am so happy about the watch that Walter gave me! I’m happy every time I look at it! He gave it to me as a gift to the new church plant in Stockholm City… Time is short! Jesus will soon return! Just a few people groups left and then…

See ya!

My Darling Totally Surprised Me!

We prayed with about 30 precious people to salvation in Bulgaria and about 40 were baptized in the Holy Spirit and started to speak in tongues! We’ve done our first teaching conference in our mother church, Signs and Wonders Church on Balkan! I so enjoy being together with the Zuniga family and the team in Velingrad!

Yesterday I landed very late in Pittsburgh, I flew from Sofia, via Munich and then to Chicago and finally Pittsburgh… A long trip, but I bought a very good "Konsalik" novel (Heinz G Konsalik is a German author that I’ve read a lot of since my teens…) in Vienna on my way to Sofia on Monday… I disappeared into an exciting "novel world" and slept an hour or so as well… I fly every week, but still love it… I eat, see new movies, read, work, talk to new nice acquaintances and sleep… To fly is great and over all faster than train, boat and car ;).

My Maria stood waiting for me at the airport in Pittsburgh when I arrived! Totally surprised! Our own Nina Anderson had bought my wife a ticket and is babysitting our kids this week! Thank you Nina! I was so happy and was totally fooled by my coworkers who lied so well when I called yesterday trying to find out where Maria was… I am so happy! Maria has soon been my girl for 19 years… We became a couple in the beginning of October 1990, got engaged on New Year’s Eve 92 and married 94! She is wonderful!

Tonight I preach at my friend, Jeff Leake’s church, Allison Park Church and at two services tomorrow! Thank you Jesus for life, family and friends!

See ya!

Great Ending

We prayed for many sick tonight.

What a great ending for the festival here in Bulgaria! Tonight another eight people gave their lives to Jesus and many were healed! Now we're having a bbq party and are playing cards... I'm enjoying being together with the team down here!

I fly out to the US tomorrow for ten days, will be preaching in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It will be great, I love the States!

See ya!

9 Saved and 15 Baptized in Holy Spirit!

Oh what days we have here in Velingrad! Walter and Linda and the team have done an excellent job! 9 people were saved tonight and 15 baptized in the Holy Spirit, it's great what Jesus does! They spoil me and take care of me like a king, I am in the midst of family...

Enjoy the pics from the Holy Ghost Festival in the Rhodopemountains... I'm going to bed now, see ya soon!

Me together with Janko and Monika, Associate Pastors in the church.

Bulgaria, Harvest Cry 09 and Premises Downtown!

The Balkan mission base is located in the beautiful Rhodope Mountains...

I landed in Sofia late last night and met Walter Zuniga and Fernan Santos (Fernan is married to my little sister Katarina)… I’ve just preached at Signs and Wonders Church here in Velingrad (SOS church at the Balkan mission base). We’re having a three day conference with the theme "Holy Ghost Festival"… We are building church, teaching strategically: Part 1: Baptism in Holy Spirit. Part 2: Gifts of the Spirit. Part 3: Hearing the Voice of the Spirit. About 15 people were saved tonight and about 25 were baptized in the Holy Spirit and started speaking in tongues!

We just booked the "Park Cinema" close to Stureplan home in Stockholm for SOS’ annual missions festival Harvest Cry! Click here for directions... Harvest Cry will take place downtown May 22nd-24th! We’re negotiating on two premises in central Stockholm for our Bible College and offices as well, one on Gärdet, and one on Kungsholmen… Pray for this! SOS Church Stockholm will soon have a lease on a place downtown!

After supper tonight I’ll try to beat Walter and some missionaries in cards!

See ya!

Happy Church Planters and a Miracle Offering!

This morning I preached at "Fregatten", the Culture Center downtown Stenungsund, Sweden. Bethel Church from Klädesholmen, Sweden and Christian Center West had a combined service and what a service it was! Wonderful to spend time together with friends like Thomas Jonsson and Yngve Bergstöm, I really like them and our friendship is deep and genuine. I sold quite a bit of my books this weekend as well; my books are actually selling well. Click here!

After the service I took the 50 min flight from Landvetter Airport to Arlanda, got into a car and drove downtown Stockholm to be part of our own service. I arrived just in time for Pastor Daniel Elvelyck's preaching. I happened to miss the Ethiopian songs and dances, a shame since I love to dance... Anyway I am happy that I did make it to the sermon; what a great reviving message! What a sermon! Daniel preached about one of David's mighty men, the renowned Benaiah (2 Sam 23:20-23). " He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion". A sermon about a fight was not "fun" but "bloody", yet totally decisive for Benaiah's future career and position as chief of the bodyguard... A fight, a battle for life and death, alone with a lion on a cold day when it also snows is not fun at the time, but may be totally decisive for out future. Fight, battle, and conquer in life!

Today we took up our first offering since the new year in this church planting embryo... We collected $12,249 (cash and pledges)!!! Given the fact that we were roughly 70 adults today, I would say not bad at all... We are laying the foundation for a prosperous and victorious downtown church and the pioneer joy seems to have no limit in the wild gang of heroes! I believe in the future more than ever before! One heart and one soul. One vision and one culture. A people that marches and cries out: "Give us Stockholm and the unreached peoples!"

Tomorrow I will fly to Bulgaria for a three day Holy Ghost Festival at Signs and Wonders Church with my beloved Walter and Linda Zuniga!

See ya!

Christian Center West and Pastor Thomas Jonsson

Yesterday I preached for a full church and about 10 people wanted heaven's forgiveness and salvation, hallelujah! Today I've done TV with Pastor Thomas. His show is called "Come to God" and is shown at Channel 10 regularly. The theme of this entire day and show was "To Win One for Jesus." Tonight and tomorrow I preach and teach "Priest for those that don't go to Church," it'll be fun! I like Thomas and believe that Christian Center West will succéed and become very large with time, there is great potential for that!

Tomorrow at SOS Church in Stockholm Daniel Elvelyck will be preaching, and they are planning on having Ethiopian music... If you live in Stockholm and have the opportunity, don't miss the party at Saltmätargatan 19 tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm! Life with Jesus is great!

See ya!

Stenungsund and SOS Church's Pastoral Team!

I have finally come to Stenungsund on the west coast of Sweden, I'm staying at Stenungsbaden Yacht Club, it is very nice! I'm looking forward to preaching at Pastor Tomas Jonson's church, Christian Center West, this weekend. Oh, it will be great, I believe that many will give their lives to Jesus tonight! I'll be back with reports later this weekend...

I'd like to introduce the pastoral team at SOS Church... Here we go:

Johannes and Maria Amritzer. Lead Pastor and "mom and dad" in the church.

Walter and Linda Zuniga. Associate Pastor. They will join the team in the beginning of 2010 after 5 years of pioneer work among the Pomak people in Bulgaria.

Daniel and Stephanie Elvelyck. Associate Pastor. Daniel, who's also the principal of SOS Mission Bible College will have a central role in teaching and education.

Emma and Andreas Gustafsson. House Church Pastor. Emma will be the House Church Pastor and build this from scratch, she'll also be in charge of the follow up work for new believers.

Julia and Samuel Willkander. Music and Fine Arts Pastor. Julia will be the Music and Fine Arts Pastor and build and expand this ministry that is also a very important part of Mission SOS' festivals.

See ya soon!

Stockholm's Crying

I read to my kids Alicia 9 and Adam 7 on Monday night from their children's Bible about the good

Samaritan. A man who was on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho was attached by robbers. He was robbed, beaten, and left lying naked and half dead on the side of the road. First a priest and then a Levite, one who worked in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem came down the same road, but both turned away their faces and closed their ears to the cries, wailing, and faint moaning for help from the man... Whew, what awful religiosity and haughty hypocritical attitude towards a man in desperate need of immediate attention. Then comes the Samarian or the Samaritan, the foreigner, in the eyes of the Jews the despised syncretistic mixed religion man. The Samaritan pours wine and oil in the wounds, binds, and takes the man on his donkey to an inn. The Samaritan cares for the jinxed man and settles his bills etc... We (the kids and I) talked for a long time before prayers and kisses about being a "true disciple" so to say... What a wonderful story, please read Luke 10:30-37, that teaches us who are true "neighbor" is as well as love and mercy in action and not just nice polished words and theory!

I have meditated on this Jesus story or parable for three days now... The story about the love and compassion shown by the Samaritan really gripped me and will not let go. Neither will the priest and Levite that just neglected and passed by, closing their ears to the cries and prayers from the assaulted let go of me. Whew. Jesus help us to hear the cry and wailing from the people in Stockholm in need of help!

My kids after a "mud war" in Namalu, Uganda a couple of years ago.

We want to build a church downtown that "not just passes by on the road" but one that hears, acts, pays for and shows true care, love, and mercy. Who will be next in line to be saved? Who will be baptized the next time? Who's life will be the next to be transformed?

A Swedish disciple unexpectedly shows a Somali refugee hospitality and love. A Persian man cares for a man from Iraq or a man from Bosnia caring for a man from Serbia despite the long ranging conflicts and war between the different ethnicities. An international church is emerging! SOS Church is seeing the light of day! The good Samaritan is showing up on the streets of Stockholm.

See ya!

Success Downtown!

Yesterday SOS Church gathered for the second time at Restaurant Ethiostar in Stockholm. The style and atmosphere fit our vision in a great way, the Ethiopian art and interior design help create the international/unreached people touch that is so characteristic for our work. We were blown away and overwhelmed by how the Spirit of God confirmed the entire afternoon and evening! Solomon, the owner counted to 106 guest (103 that paid for the buffet) but there was probably closer to 115 with all the kids! That was more than double since last week! We all felt how it was sort of a prophetic confirmation of the dream of an international church when we counted to about 20 nationalities, hallelujah! The fellowship was warm around the tables and everything breathed "the first church a la 2009" in Downtown Stockholm. Jimmy Lenngren performed a newly written rap and Mie Åkesson both preached through drama/circus about being more than a conqueror, and also used pantomime inspired effects. Great! Julia Willkander and Linnea Hagenfors sang so touching songs that tears filled our eyes...

My dear friend Pastor Desta Haregot from Eritrean Full Gospel Church made my day when he showed up with a group of people to show his support and welcome us to city. Thank you friend! Daniel Viklund, musician and Prophet also showed up, to all our joy! We love you Daniel! (He was a guest at City Church this weekend.)

Both Omid and Manige, honor guests as well as baptism candidates for the night, each received a Bible and were interviewed on stage. The evening before (Saturday night) they had received the baptism in the Holy Spirit and begun to speak in tongues and were so happy for their new beginnings.

Preaching was such great fun and towards the end another man from Stockholm gave his life to Jesus! We will follow up with him this week!

Our first baptism downtown took place in the Cross Church a ten minute walk from the restaurant! We all walked together. It was so holy, beautiful and pure! The presence of the Spirit of God was so dense as old lives were buried and new creations rose from the baptismal. Before hand we had agreed to dress in dark clothes and after the baptism we dressed in light colored clothes! Congratulations Omid and Manige! Imagine that the two first to be baptized downtown were two wonderful Persians! They are gifts from Jesus Himself to our new Stockholm church!

After the baptism we all walked back to our restaurant place and the party continued. We listened to live music, drank coffee, laughed, and fellowshipped for several hours before we parted for home...

Thank You Jesus that You were waiting for us Downtown, just as You promised when You called us there! Thank You Jesus that walking on water in this new church plant works! Thank You Jesus for all the exciting adventures and transformed lives that await us!

See ya!