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The Evangelical Free Church of FinlandHistory
The Evangelical Free Church of Finland (EFCF) sprang out of a revival movement that swept through the Nordic countries in the 1870's.
Organization
EFCF currently has 14,311 members in 99 congregations and it has been organized into eight regions each consisting of 10-15 local bodies. The highest authority in EFCF is exercised by the Assembly of Congregations which meets twice a year.
Theology
Theologically EFCF is Evangelical, and Charismatic.
National Ministries
Support ministries for local congregations
- Church planting: There have been 17 new church plants during the past 10 years.
- The Northern Finland Assistance: Due to migration to the cities and congregations
loosing members, a part time pastor is supported to serve in Northern Finland.
- Natural Church Development: Focuses on the quality of a church rather than on
numerical growth. About 15 congregations are applying the NCD principles.
- Metro Helsinki area: A pastor has been employed to strengthen especially children’s
and youth ministries of five churches in the area. He also does school ministry and
explores prospects for future church planting.
- The National events and efforts: E.g. the Summer Conference
Family ministries
There is a concern for the well-being of families, the increasing divorce rate and the effects of this upon children. Currently, there are about 35 couples who serve the local congregations by providing different types of marriage and pre-marital counselling and ministry.
Diaconal ministry
The Free Church revival began with the awakening of concern for the poor. During the past few years mercy ministry has again gained attention, and in 2007, a new organization named ViaDia was created to coordinate the improved efforts within EFCF. A coordinator for mercy ministry was also added in the staff. The goal is to support, train and assist local congregations to reach out to the poor in a more systematic fashion.
The Alpha Course
The Alpha Course has brought new life and growth to local congregations. The national Alpha Coordinator, employed by EFCF serves the whole body of Christ in Finland.
Radio ministry
A weekly radio program in the Christian Radio station upholds the gospel and EFCF values.
The Romany (Gypsy) ministries
Holding special functions for the Gypsies for evangelism and discipleship.
Missions
Evangelism has been at the heart of the church since the beginning and the first missionary was sent out to work with Hudson Taylor and the CIM in 1890. A vision to work in Tibet drew missionaries to the Himalayan region and these two fields formed the focus of the work until the 1950's. Since then the number of the fields has grown to the present 14 as we have followed the policy of working in partnership with established mission agencies2 and national churches3. Today we have 35 career missionaries, of which 12 work in the 10/40 window area.
Our Mission emphases are: 1. Pioneer evangelism and church planting, 2. Bible Translation, 3. Empowerment of sister churches and 4. Development Aid projects. Working with street children is a growing ministry as we begin to tackle the challenge of urban communities. We also support the education of over 200 children in developing countries through our child sponsorship programme.
While maintaining our primary commitment to the unreached in the 10/40 window, we are also open to the challenge of the 40/70 window – especially secular Europe.
The Himalayan Free Church continues the work begun by the EFCF mission in the Himalayan region over 100 years ago. Today the HFC has 99 workers and 4800 members in 64 congregations in the Northern Indian areas of Sikkim, West Bengal, Jalpaiguri and Baksaduar.
Children and Youth Ministry
The EFCF Youth Organization has national responsibility for ministry among children and youth. In co-operation with the local associations of the free churches it supports and assists congregations in their work among children and youth. Further it supports and educates children and youth workers, as well as seeks and starts new methods. The Youth Organization also arranges national events and camps, produces and transmits material of teaching and requisites needed in children and youth ministry. The membership at the end of 2004 was 3989. The most important part of our youth work is scouting.
Training
The EFCF Theological Seminary provides training mainly for full-time ministers: a four-year program for pastors, three years for youth workers and between 2-4 years for missionaries.
The Theological Seminary offers also a one-year Bible School.
Short term training is provided at the Training and Retreat Center for lay workers and ordinary church members varying in length from a weekend to a month.
Päivä Osakeyhtiö – EFCF publishing house
Publishing house Päivä Osakeyhtiö is owned by EFCF, local churches that are members of the denomination and EFCF organizations. Since 1962 Päivä has been publishing Christian literature and music for outreach and teaching. Some of Päivä’s international authors are: Neil T. Anderson, Mark Buchanan, John Bunyan, Ted Dekker, Billy Graham, Anne Graham Lotz, Bill Hybels, Max Lucado, John Ortberg, Charles Swindoll, Rick Warren, Bruce Wilkinson, David Wilkerson, Gwen Wilkerson. Päivä Osakeyhtiö is also the publisher of EFCF weekly newspaper Suomen Viikkolehti and monthly evangelistic magazines for families (ABC+), for children (Levels, Miksiks) and for youth (Dynamite News). Päivä Osakeyhtiö publishes 40-50 books and 7-8 recordings a year.
Inter-Denominational Cooperation
Part of EFCF’s “spiritual dna” is to serve as a bridge among different denominations. The EFCF is also actively involved in the Finnish Ecumenical Council, The Free Church Council of Finland, the Finnish Center for World Evangelism, and the Finnish Missionary Council.
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1 China, Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Gambia, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, Thailand and Turkey.
2 Friends of China, Jian Hua Foundation, Latin Link, Mission Aviation Fellowship, OM International, WEC International and Wycliffe Bible Translators.
3 Eglise Evangelique du Congo, Himalayan Free Church of India, Iglesia del Pacto Evangélico del Ecuador and The Free Church of Finland Mission (Bhutan).
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