OUR NEVER ENDING ROLE...

I have finished my course, Pastor! It was with great excitement and anticipation, which I came to the Ribinge creek near Uppsala. It started with me again, mostly because of the Community. It's probably the first time I feel I come as directly into a group. It's not always the easiest. There is much to be maintained. The give-munity that we have built up since October 2008 to today is something we are keen to continue. What (special) people I have come to know. All have paid a price for following Jesus. Being a Christian is not just a lifestyle or accepting/adopting affinities. It is a spiritual struggle. It costs to be a servant in kingdom of God. You are fighting for good against evil in yourself and in others.

There are many humans who lives in ignorance today. They do not know how to find God. I read the other day about hieroglyphics involving an Egyptian who told about pain as strong on-reminiscent of the plagues that struck Egypt through Moses…If there anything that I have been strongly reminded of in the course, it is that you and I are the difference between life and death for our non-believers. We know who God is and can present Him in Helsingborg in a relevant way. I as a pastor, our parish leadership and the congregation, together we are really important for Helsingborg. We, together with all believers in Helsingborg are all-important.

In this course, my self-confidence has grown more and more. I've started to see what I do is not in vain. The time I have invested in education, personal calls, money, planning, cleaning, renovation, camps, evangelism and mission makes a difference. What you do for Jesus means something. We can and must do much more. We can become more and more like Jesus and to be there. We are the Living God church, which stands against the whole power of darkness. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. It is so wonderful. What you do means something; you make a difference!

Every morning when you wake up and go to meet a new day, there's a meaning to it. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Give yourself to Him every day, love your fellow human beings and provide them with what you have, share with the Community of believers in church services, meals and recreation. Invite unbelieving friends to your cell group or church service, tell your neighbors about Jesus, put the hands on the sick and pray in faith and they will be healthy. Get to know God and deepen your relationship with Him. Deepen your knowledge through regular Bible study. Give your whole life to the Lord's service. Do you work in a hospital; do it for Jesus. Are you working at a childrens nursery so make it for Jesus. Whatever work you have to do, do it for Jesus. Let all that you are and do take place because of your love for Jesus.

Now it's summer and there is much to do. Summer conferences are many. We have church services every Sunday. 10:00. Every Friday we have youth events. 18:30 down to Gröningen open air services along with the other churches in Helsingborg. We will meet in the summer for the church to prepare the children for the autumn relaunch of the premises youth programming. But most importantly, take your time with your Savior Jesus. It has strengthened me during the course schedule: My time with God. Not a lot of strategies and plans, simply quality time with the Father.

God bless you
Alejandro Gallardo
Ramlösa Church Pastor
Former, Sweden

(I had the privilege of enrolling Alejandro and his then fiance’ as soldiers while serving in Sweden. His parents are retired SA missionaries having served and pioneered SA work in South America.)