FROM THE GENERAL SECRETARY, Neville Callam
WITH SIGHTS SET ON MISSION
In early February, I was in Norway sharing with the Baptist community in celebrating their Ter-
Jubilee. In wonderfully creative ways, Baptists of Norway recalled the beginnings of their work in
1860, reflected on the journey they have taken so far, and considered how to be radical, relevant and
missional as they do ministry today. It was a privilege to be a part of events marking the start of an
extended period of celebration. Under the capable leadership of their president, Jan Saethre, and
acting general secretary, Arild Harvik, a Baptist community that suffered enormously from religious
persecution in its early years took time to offer praise and thanks to God for the divine faithfulness of
which they are glad beneficiaries.
Students of Norwegian Baptist history will immediately note the vastness of the vision that has
characterized the national movement. Despite being a numerically small grouping with no more
than 6,000 baptized members in 85 churches comprising a community numbering 11,000, Baptists
of Norway have maintained a very strong tradition of international mission. This is all the more
outstanding since Norway never had colonies! Their work among the people in the northern Congo,
Sierra Leone, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Nepal, and among the Chin and Karen people of Myanmar
reflects the constructive concern for others for Christ’s sake that is the engine of Norwegian Baptist
mission faithfulness. With sights set on mission, they have held the world in their hearts.
As we prepare for the upcoming 20th Baptist World Congress in Honolulu, Hawai´i, we recall the
way in which Baptists in Norway have identified with the worldwide Baptist family. At the inaugural
BWA Congress in 1905, four Norwegian delegates attended, representing the 3,000 members in the
Nordic country. This year, more than 100 Norwegian Baptists will be in Honolulu!
Nor is the concern of Baptists in Norway merely to take their place among the world’s Baptists.
They have distinguished themselves in the service they are ready to render to the worldwide Baptist
movement. Not surprisingly, for 21 of the 105 years of BWA history, the organization has been served
by two Norwegian general secretaries, Arnold Öhrn (1948-1960) and Josef Nordenhaug (1960-1969).
Today, the Baptist community in Norway reflects the rich cultural diversity that marks this new
age of international travel, migration and the injustice that produces refugees. Baptists from regions
served by Norwegian Baptists now form part of the Baptist Union of Norway. For this reason, new
Norwegians who formerly resided in the Congo and in Thailand make up a sizable proportion of the
local Baptist family.
Baptists worldwide will want to pray for the Baptists of Norway as they prepare for renewal in the
calling to be faithful witnesses to Christ in a national context that is rife with religious skepticism and
unbelief. Norwegian Baptists will face many challenges as they seek to minister within a national
community that is caught in the vice grip of post modernity. However, they do not go forward unaided.
The Spirit of the Lord is with them to lead them into a new era of evangelistic fervor that can match
the needs of their local situation. They will need to take their place once more where Pastor Öhrn
located them, when he presented his report to the first Baptist World Congress. This is what Öhrn
said: “We have come to know from the Word of God that . . . truth is with Jesus Christ and that he
always wins the battle . . . We have had brethren in prison, but now we preach everywhere. . . . We
have only 15 men in Norway giving their whole time to preaching, but all 3,000 members are Baptist
preachers, or are trying to be. . . . We want every hill and valley, mountain and shore to resound with
the name of Christ.”
No less a vision than this will captivate the minds of those with their sights set on mission.

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