OAC Publications

Street Corner

Newsletter of OAC/Friluftsmissionen

December 1999 Volume 6 no 4

Energy From God

By Simon Dahl Nielsen, Team Member

Read about the true vine in John 15, 1-17.

What is a branch without the tree? What is an electric bulb without electricity? What is a human being without God? Nothing "for apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15, 5b).

During my stay in the Baltic States this text gave rise to several hours of thinking. What is my life without God? If the bulb is not in the socket and the current is not on, then the bulb is nothing. Nor is it enough for the bulb to be in the socket. No, it needs to be supplied with current in order to light up the room.

Likewise it is not enough for us to go to church. We need to be supplied with the energy of God, through God's word and the Holy Spirit. It is not until the current comes to the bulb that it is able to shine. Otherwise, it is useless.

During the last couple of months we have visited a lot of schools and met a lot of people. We have talked about Jesus in front of assemblies of 200 people and at small meetings with only 10 people present. Had we been on our own, it would not have been possible for us to hold these meetings. We are dependent on the energy from God each and every time. The electric bulb needs energy, i.e. current, in order to carry out its mission to shine. And each and every day I need to get the energy from God in order to carry out my job as an evangelist. Without God and without the Holy Spirit I have nothing to tell and my work would be in vain. But I am grateful to God for giving us all the energy we need every day and for blessing the work that we do.

From Friluftsmissionen / OAC - Denmark we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Is the Sketchboard a Thing of the Past?

By Jørgen Johansen, National Director

This was the comment of one of the participants during an evaluation of a sketchboard seminar last year. And another participant elaborated, "We grew up with it in Sunday school".

Some time before this incident I participated in an outreach at Haderslev Cathedral School, the equivalent of an ordinary high school. And here - apparently no matter who delivered the sketchboard speach - far more students than expected stopped to watch and listen, their response being far more positive than we would have dared to hope for. As a direct result of using the sketchboard, the local IFES-team was asked to participate in three scripture lessons. Where is the connection between two experiences that differ so widely?

The Sunday School Effect

The Sunday school effect, no doubt, plays a decisive role in the user's attitude towards the sketchboard. If using the sketchboard makes you feel childish, the sketchboard will, generally speaking, be useless, unless you are working with children.

Generally, your basic attitude is reflected in your preaching. Do you believe in what you say? Are you convinced that you deliver your message in the best possible way?

The way your audience experiences your performance is very much determined by your own conviction as to the contents and the form of your message. Thus the efficiency of the sketchboard is often determined by your ability to identify yourself with your audience. As a matter of fact, the sketchboard is nothing but a large piece of unwritten paper, which is willingly at your service. It is you and your conception of Jesus, who - rightly understood - are the intermediary of the Gospel to your contemporaries and to the age group in question - not the sketchboard! If you are up to date, your sketchboard is up to date!

The Learning Environment

Finally, I cannot help asking myself if not the bible schools generally create an unnecessarily great distance between the learning environment and the actual situation of communication. The theoretical part of the teaching often focuses relatively more on the question as to what rather than on the question as to who and how.

As I myself was a student of theology, I was rather too busy getting hold of terminology and concepts; so busy that I found it difficult to quote John 3,16 in a way that would make sense to the man in the street. I felt like I was living two miles away from reality. A valuable goal must be to reduce this distance so that the Gospel may be heard, understood and received. I know of no better place for this than in the meeting with non-churchgoers.

Stage fright

In 1997 Jerry Burgess from the USA visited Denmark, teaching together with Duane Laflin at OAC Denmark's seminar on gospel magic at Børkop Folk High School. With his permission we publish parts of his educational material taken from his book "Routining for the Gospel Magician" from Dock Haley Gospel Magic Co., P.O. Box 915, Hermitages, TN 37076, USA. This time it is about stage fright:

I have often claimed that if you get nothing else out of this material, you will get more than your money's worth from this section alone. I can guarantee that after reading this section, you will never be bothered by stage fright again! A pretty bold statement, right? Read on...

When God designed these marvellous bodies he gave us, He recognised that at certain times in our lives we would be called upon to perform tasks that were totally beyond our normal capabilities. To equip us for those "superhuman" tasks He built into us from birth, and when employed, can enable us to do almost impossible things.

For example, there was a well documented case in New England some years ago, involving a young mother who was about 5 feet tall and weighed about 105 pounds. As she was backing her Volkswagon Beetle from her driveway, she heard a loud scream, jumped from her car, and was horrified to see her two year old child lying under the rear wheel of her car. Without any hesitation and in the view of a number of witnesses, she proceeded to pick up that Volkswagon and toss it away from her child's body thereby saving it's life.

How was this possible? This system that I have been referring to was employed to its most extreme means. Now, that same hormonal system is a part of all of us. And while I do not promise that it will give you the strength to toss cars. I can assure you that if employed, it will make you more that you normally are. Wouldn't it be nice to know, just before you are faced with a great responsibility such as entertaining and communicating with a large group of people that this system was already at work inside preparing you to be more that you normally are?

Well, I have good news for you - God gave us a way of knowing when that system is at work. The same chemicals that your bodies produce to bring about this superhuman performance also had a few well defined an easily recognisable side affects. They are sweaty palms, increased breathing rate, "butterflies" in the stomach, dry mouth, raspy throat, an urgency to go to the bathroom, and so on.

Sounds familiar? Yes, it is the same set of symptoms that we have formally called "stage fright". In other words, these things are more that your body's way of telling your mind that you are now fully prepared to be more that ever normally are!

When you come to recognise this fact, stage fright becomes your friend rather than your enemy and you will realise that it is only those times when you do not experience it that you had better be concerned because that means you are going to have to try to accomplish a super normal task on only normal resources. You can now see why I said that stage fright would no longer bother you. I did not say that you would never again experience it.

Sketchboard Sermon: Why Christmas?

By Torben Østermark, Evangelist

Why exactly do we celebrate Christmas? A question we might ask ourselves in these days. If asking around, we get different answers:

It is a fine tradition, some say. There is a cheerful atmosphere around Christmas. You eat a lot of good food, have a couple of days off and get to spend more time with your family than usual.

Others say that Christmas is for the child. Christmas does not mean very much to adults any longer, but for the sake of the children we make an effort to celebrate Christmas. After all, they are looking forward to it - especially to the presents.

We make a lot of Christmas preparations. Some people already start in October, and we almost get tired of Christmas before it has even begun. For many people it all ends up in stress and hurry, and they completely forget why we celebrate Christmas.

Christmas is the celebration of the child. A celebration of the Infant Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem (you may want to elaborate this point with more of the gospel for Christmas day).

Jesus is the Son of God, who came into our world. He soon learned that it was a harsh world he had entered. Shortly after his birth, Mary and Josef had to flee to Egypt with their baby.

Jesus did not come into this world just to be the Infant Jesus in a manger. When he grew up, he wandered about in Israel for three years, telling people about God, healing the sick, and teaching his closest friends, the disciples.

Finally, he was crucified [+], and this was the most important thing that happened in his life here on earth. He died to show God's love towards people. He died so that you and I can have eternal life with God. Three days later he rose from the grave, and he is alive today.

We who live today are challenged to do what the shepherds and Mary did according to the Bible when Jesus was born (Luke 2,15 ff and 19) - to RECEIVE the message of Jesus that he is the child in the manger as well as the man who died on the cross, rose again and is alive today.

CREATIVE PREACHING

From articles by Alf Gjøsund printed in "Utsyn", a magazine published by the Lutheran Mission in Norway.

"Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified" had a wider sense to it at the seminar at Solåsen Youth Center and School Camp at Vestfold, Norway. During more lessons the children's and youth workers were taught practical as well as theoretical evangelism with the aid of balloons, magic, and puppet theatre. The major part of the teaching, however, focused on the use of the sketchboard...

Expectantly as a Sunday school class, 31 youth workers and team members listened attentively as Torben Østermark tried to get his sweet puppet monkey to say hello to the audience.

And their excitement did not lessen as the Danish evangelist blew up an oblong balloon and shaped it into a sword while telling the story about Peter, who used his sword instead of love, but was forgiven through his faith in Jesus. And pop! the balloon became a cross. An incisive and impressive means for preaching the Gospel for children, which clearly worked with adult youth workers as well. The Danish evangelist also showed how simple magic can illustrate God's forgiveness.

"Write down your most serious sin on this piece of paper and place it in this glass," he told one of the participants. When this was done, Torben filled the glass with red-dyed water, while he told the audience about God, who casts the sin behind his back and never brings it out again.

The participant was now asked to fetch his piece of paper, but it was gone. "This was just an innocent trick," Torben Østermark said, "but when God forgives our sins, they truly disappear..."

I have just heard about one of the participants of the seminar, who returned to his district filled with enthusiasm. He said that he had used his newly acquired skills when performing a devotion at a camp, so tells the national youth secretary of the Lutheran Mission in Norway, Tor Erling Fagermoen...

- When working with children, you cannot get enough tips as to ways to present the Gospel. The competition for the children's attention is hard, and you have to think creatively in order to get a child's attention. And though not all the participants are going to use every tip they learned at the seminar, they were all inspired and encouraged to think creatively in their children's and youth work, says Tor Erling Fagermoen.

A Seminar on Puppet Theatre and Ventriloquism

By Torben Østermark, Evangelist

40 people had gathered from all over the country - even one from the Faroe islands - at Hoptrup Folk High School to participate in a seminar on puppet theatre and ventriloquism.

During the four days of the seminar we worked with mastering the puppets, creating scenes, sewing puppets, writing routines, producing sound effects, learning new songs etc., all of which resulted in several puppet plays. Some of them were performed on a festive evening where people from around Hoptrup came to watch puppet theatre, magic, and ventriloquism.

Now we are scattered in all parts of the country, where we are going to use some of the things we learned. Perhaps you will meet one of us at a future event, and then you may see for yourself what we got out of it.

News From the Baltic States

By Ole Christensen, Evangelist, and Simon Dahl Nielsen, Team Member

Here are some brief glimpses from our trip in the Baltic States. It was a truly inspiring experience, and throughout the trip we felt God's care for us in a very real way.

In August we had a BEST-conference in Latvia as well as in Lithuania, which especially in Latvia has increased our work. The management of the Lutheran Church in Latvia heard about the conference and our work in the Baltic States, and they invited us to participate in a big mission week which was to be held throughout Latvia. We were asked to evangelize in Liepaja, a city with 120,000 inhabitants at the west coast of Latvia. We also visited schools and held a meeting at a domestic science school where in 45 minutes 200 young women were presented with the message of Jesus in a precise and solid way.

In Kemeri, a suburb to Riga, the church has employed a fulltime evangelist, who, indeed, understands the idea of visual evangelism.

Furthermore our work in Estonia has prospered. The leader of the mission council, for example, has ordered a sketchboard seminar next spring. In the area of Haapsalu we received a fine reception by the ministers, who have seen the importance of and the vision of our work. We have joined in at a youth camp, preached in Sunday schools, at mission weeks, in churches etc. The Latvians are eager to learn how to use the sketchboard, so perhaps there are more work to do here next spring.

In Lithuania we hope that the work in Vilnius now begins to move.

These were just a few examples of the new and exciting things that are happening in connection with our work in the Baltic States.

Staff Presentation

About 4 years ago I became a Christian as God intervened in my life in a very radical way. He told me that I would be lost if I continued to live the way I did. So I began to read the Bible, from one end to the other. It was amazing to find the answers to so many questions and suddenly to find a meaning to my life, yes, indeed, a whole new life. As my way of thanking him for saving me, I promised God to serve him.

In 1997 I went to Børkop bible school, eager to tell everyone about Jesus, and I was met by the verse in Matthew 28,19 where Jesus commanded me to go out and tell others about him. I also met Jørgen Johansen (the National Director of OAC Denmark), who gave lessons in sketchboard. The sketchboard, as I see it, is a wonderful tool. It can be seen, heard and used whereever you are. Especially in the street it is eminent to attract attention, and people really listen.

At the bible school I was called to join Team Baltic States. I had lots and lots of excuses, but God convinced me that he wanted me to go. After two months of training another young man and I left for the Baltic States. It was to be a trip filled with blessings - God carried us all the way through. As a result of this I joined OAC Denmark 18 months later on January 1, 1999, as an evangelist in process of training for a period of two years. My field of activity is the highland of Central Jutland and the Baltic States (in co-operation with our National Director).

Celebration of Friends on October 30 in Kolding

By Tommy Petersen, Vojens

On Saturday the 30^th October we were invited to Celebration of Friends in Kolding - and what a celebration! It was just a pity that not more people had accepted the invitation. We could easily have been three times the number.

The celebration began with a lovely service of intercession in the beautiful Kristkirke in Kolding, after which we gathered in the adjoining parish hall. Here we heard about the activities of OAC Denmark - from Bakken to the Baltic States. During the afternoon we were also entertained by Hans Jørn Østerby and Kurt. Even though Hans Jørn tried to convince his audience that Kurt was only a ventriloquist's dummy, the 'dummy' convinced us that he was a real boy.

In the evening Lars Nielsen from Odense gave us a fine insight into the mission work of the Danish state church.

Team Baltic States 2000:

"You are needed in the Baltic States. Spend six months of your life preaching the Gospel in the Baltic States and discover the great blessing of letting God take complete control of your life," says Simon Dahl Nielsen from Varde, and he continues, "I have experienced how God has helped me through things that I do not usually experience at home. Nothing is a matter of course in the Baltic States, but I have been reading my Bible like never before." The six months are divided in three parts: Two months of training in Denmark, followed by three months in the Baltic States, and finally one month of follow-up in Denmark.

We need volunteers for the new Team Baltic States which is to be sent out at the end of March. Training will commence in the beginning of the new year. If you are interested, please report to the national office of OAC Denmark before January 1, 2000.

STREET CORNER

is the newsletter from OAC/Friluftsmissionen in Denmark. We are working in the Nordic & the Baltic States.

The Purpose of OAC/Friluftsmissionen

To present Christ by all means to all people everywhere on the Evangelical-Lutheran basis in these countries, primarily through open air evangelism as well as in places and situations where unsaved people are. The characteristics of the work of OAC/Friluftsmissionen are: Teaching local congregations and societies in a sound Biblical preaching through sketchboard and gospel-magic. OAC/Friluftsmissionen is a faith mission financed through voluntary gifts. Wages are not paid to full time staff evangelists, but they are each responsible to the board for their own economy. So far OAC Denmark/Friluftsmissionen has three full time staff evangelists: Jørgen Johansen, Torben Østermark and Ole Christensen.

Gifts to OAC Denmark

Should you wish to support OAC Denmark/Friluftsmissionen regularly, you can do so either through a covenant or by cheque. Cheques should be made payable to Friluftsmissionen, Kingosvej 16, DK-6000 Kolding. A covenant form can be requested and made through OAC Britain, David & Alice Fanstone, 102 Dukes Ave., Muswell Hill, London N10 2QA, tel 181 444 5254. (Gifts can be earmarked to Jørgen Johansen, Torben Østermark, Ole Christensen or to specific projects such as mission to the Baltics.) We appreciate your gift very much.

Street Corner by E-mail

We also send this newsletter out by E-mail. If you would like to recieve Street Corner by E-mail, please send your E-mail address to torben.ostermark@oaci.org

Our Address

OAC / Friluftsmissionen, Kingosvej 16, DK-6000 Kolding, Denmark, Phone and fax +45 7552 6081. E-mail jorgen.johansen@oaci.org., web site www.oac.dk