Algard was the Meeting Place for Europe

In early April the EBWU committee was gathered in AlgÂrd, Norway, invited by committee member Margun Warem. At the same time the committee of the Norwegian Baptist Women's Union held its committee meeting in Stavanger. This was a historical event.

The first days each of the committees held their meetings separately, but Friday evening and Saturday we were together. Friday evening we met at sister Simonette Haland's home. It was a blessed evening where we shared together the fellowship and the word of God. The EBWU President, Ewa Gutkowska, expressed her joy of being in Norway, and to get to know better how we work in our union. We gave a short historical survey of our union during 90 years.

Simonette was inspired when she told us about her ministry in Congo, Africa. She greeted us with the words from 1Cor 15:58: "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain."

Saturday morning the EBWU committee went on sightseing in the city of Stavanger. Later we all went on a tour to see some of the magnificent scenery of Western Norway. It was April 9, but still it snowed heavily. The snow was like a carpet covering the landscape. Our bus took us up in the mountains to a place called Soyland, where they had prepared a delicious meal for us, with traditional Norwegian food.

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We continued our tour across the mountains. Our driver did a very good job in the snow. We passed several interesting places, also historically. Coming down from the mountains, we visited sister Berit Veen. She served us coffee and delicious cake.

Saturday evening there was a celebration in the Baptist Church of Algard, focused on the word "mission". Janny Kingma from the Netherlands, secretary of EBWU, told about the beginning: It was in 1948, during a Baptist Congress in London, that some sisters wanted to have a meeting for women only. At this time it was difficult to gather the women of Europe.

World War II had recently ended, and Europe was still divided with a lot of problems, as a result of the war. At this meeting in London were women from 8 different countries of Europe, including Norway. A woman stood up and read John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse started something new. God loves all people, and why should not we love each other? These eight countries started EBWU.

After the fall of communism in 1991, more countries joined, and today ca. 50 countries have joined EBWU. We are different and work in different ways in our national unions, but we are all one in Christ.

Elisabeth Vekas from Romania, treasurer of EBWU, told about her ministry among the gypsy women. This work has a special place in her heart. She also told about the economical support from EBWU, and she expressed her gratitude for the money coming from Norway. "You are a small union, but you have a big heart", she said, and the offerings of the evening will be shared for different projects in the best way possible.

The Norwegian General Secretary, Magnar Maland, greeted from the Book of Psalms 68,12: "The Lord announced the word, and great was the company of women who proclaimed it." Women take much responsibility in ministry, and the women's unions are challenged in reaching for the young generations so that the work can continue, he said.

In her message, President Ewa Gutkowska drew our attention to the words from Isaiah 48,13 about God's hands stretching out for us. God's hands created man, and God needs our hands to do his work.

Vice president Livija Lame from Latvia told how a meeting with people who told her that they prayed for her, had made a deep impression on her. How could people who did not know me pray for me? she asked herself. Before the fall of communism she didn't know about the Day of Prayer. The baptist women's Day of Prayer, when women all over the world get together to pray, has a deep meaning and a special fellowship.

Synnove Gasvar Angen, President of the Norwegian Baptist Women's Union, informed about the Women's ministry in Norway. She also showed a DVD from the Leadership Conference in Birmingham.

Vidar Bergsland, pastor of the Algard Baptist Church, greeted the women, showing what happens in nature: Today birds build nests, even if it is snowing. They could have many excuses to wait. As workers we have so many things to do, but like the birds we have to "build" now, even if it is difficult. Dear women, he said, be like the flower snowdrop, which gets its strenght from what is coming. Summer will come, there will be changes. We join in a living hope!

Two gifted young women shared with us beautiful songs and music. After the celebration we were invited to the youth hall for a meal and more greetings.

After these days we have a deeper insight and understanding of the ministry done by Baptist women in Europe. God called us to trust in him and do good.

Kirsti Solberg Liland, Norway
Translated from Norwegian by Margun Warem

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