Ketura Means Incense!

Abram, father of Israel and the Arabs, took the name Abraham (father of many nations) in alignment with God's promise. Frustrated and a little desperate he is his wife then tried to "fix" the promise of a son. And through Sara's maid servant, Hagar, Abraham receives a son, Ishmael. Ishmael was not God's A-plan, but the couple's own solution and short cut since they did not have the strength to wait for the promise-son. But God blesses Ishmael in His great goodness and grace. Yet the huge explosion and bomb of blessing came with Isaac ("smile or laughter") who was born when Abraham was 100 years old. After the death of his first wife, we read in the Bible:

Abraham had taken another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah.

Gen 25:1-2

It seems like Abraham suddenly starts living again at his old age. He enters the second wave and six sons are born with his young wife Ketura. When the man's struggle and life-battle is over there's only happiness and joy left. He starts reproducing lots of new tribal-fathers to new desert-people... The legends and theories of who these tribes are seems to just as many as the people itself. Some people believe that both African and Indian people groups descend from father Abraham. No one seems to really know. They are, as I said, just theories. One thing we know 100% certain though - God keeps His promises and Abraham becomes "Father of Many Nations" at last.


I also want to thank God for the promises and prophecies that I and SOS have received through the years. Together with my family I want to enter into 2014 with incense and thanksgiving to God. I want to sing praises and thank God! SOS is today a home for all people and different nationalities. We have received holy and precious promises about Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. Ketura means incense. Ketura is beautiful and fertile. Ketura gives birth to many strong children!

Thank God for Ketura! I believe in a blessed and fertile 2014!

Happy New Year!

The Swedish economy is rebounding!

I stole the title from today's Metro. The same newspaper continues (on 12.19) to say that the Swedish economic situation is getting better. Every prognosis indicates a coming acceleration in the economy. SEB Bank puts the growth prognosis at 3 times the current growth, at 2.5%. We currently have a low interest rate, mean wage increases are coming, rising stock exchanges as well as house prices. This will all most likely lead to more household spending in 2014. We should also thank the government for more earned income tax credits. It is looking good! The future is bright!

We even see this in our network of companies; SOS Business Class. The future is bright. This am between 6-7 I met some of our entrepreneurs for a Breakfast Prayer in our conference room at SOS Church. A year ago we spoke out a vision of seeing 70 new businesses started in SOS in 10 years. Now we realize that 8 new companies have formed during the first year! I am fascinated when I listen to so many clear business ideas, worked-through budgets and goals. Our business men/women are hungry through hard work their plans and visions will become reality. We have a great positive trend in the church and among our people!

We conclude the breakfast meeting and Walter Zuniga reads Psalm 20 for us. We pray together with all the entrepreneurs gathered. Everyone departs to a new day of work. Thank you Jesus for practical and down-to-earth Christianity!

We will meet again January 16th for Breakfast Prayer. If you are a business man/woman or thinking of starting a company: WELCOME! You don't have to be a member in our church to come pray with us. We are Kingdom oriented with a generous posture.

Saturday, March 1st I will hold my third seminar on "God Wants to Make You Rich!" This theme is about Biblical Finances and will stimulate to a successful development both in your private and corporate finances. God is for you! The Bible is practical! We believe in expansion, new jobs and meaningful employment.

See ya!

Partners in Tanzania

I have preached at five fantastic, lovely, sweaty and looong services at Victory Christian Center in Dar es Salaam this weekend. So many have been saved in every service and last night 70 were baptized in the Holy Spirit and started speaking in tongues! I love long holy meetings!

I have really enjoyed this! I am probably mostly African. I am an African Pentecostal Pastor in white disguise ;). The worship and the dance is full of energy, Jesus passion raw salvation-joy. They honor each other, they are super generous and take up large offerings in every service. They have faith for anything and laugh and are positive. The standard at everything at VCC way exceeds most of what I've seen...

So many were baptized in the Holy Spirit...

I love, yes really LOVE the Pastors couple Huruma and Joyce Nkone! I learn so much from them and they really refresh and strengthen me. Their humility, gratefulness, joy, faith, generosity and excellence is contagious and rubs off on me! From this weekend forward, VCC will be a partner church to SOS and will support us regularly both in prayer and financially. I shared the vision of African Capitol City Tour with them last night and they never wanted to stop praying for me and SOS. A new Africa is rising up, with mighty, strong and naturally Apostolic mega churches.

It was a very long time ago that I met Jesus in worship so intimate and strong as I did here... My covenant with God is renewed and the wind of the Spirit blowing in my heart. I love Jesus more than ever before! Thank you Jesus for Africa!

See ya!

Video: Serving your Future Inheritance!

Leadership Huddle December 7 Teaching - Johannes Amritzer from Allison Park Church on Vimeo.

Southern Europe Calling!

I just came home from a great weekend in our daughter church in Bienne, Switzerland. On Saturday we did our first one-day-conference on relationships, marriage and family and on Sunday we had a wonderful celebration. Lots of people at every gathering and lovely atmosphere. It is a strong growing church strategically located in central Europe. SOS Church Bienne is growing powerfully under the excellent leadership of visionary pastors. A lot is very impressing!

I've met many Italians this weekend that wants to plant a SOS Church in Italy. It is coming! Southern Europe is included in the vision that Jesus once gave us, and our calling to see the geographical restoration of the first church is about to become physically real. When the church in Bienne has passed 500 members it is time for us to, together with them, plant churches in Italy, France and Spain... We are moving on. City after city, place after place, nation after nation. Nothing will stop us! God is advancing aggressively and Pentecost and revival-Christianity is so attractive!

We baptized a whole lot home in Stockholm this weekend! More people are applying to SOS Mission Bible School and SOS Leadership Academy. The schools have gotten a new push forward because of our new Director's aggressive faith! It's not too late to apply yet! Apply here today!

I've eaten too much fondue, horse meat and chocolate this weekend and have to get to the gym a lot this week! ;)

See ya!