It is a special privilege to serve Jesus through the ministry of Word and Sacrament. God has called me to serve Him in gospel ministry in Sweden. In humble response to this call, my family and I intend to move to Sweden in the Fall of 2017 to begin this work.
The goal is to form a Swedish presbytery. Aside from Immanuel Church in a town called Tranås, there is no Presbyterian and Reformed church in Sweden. Partnering with Immanuel Church, which belongs to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of England and Wales (EPCEW), I aim to spend the first year or two learning the Swedish language and culture and then commence church planting in another city. Swedes are largely fluent in English, and this will allow me to begin exploring the development of bible studies and potential areas for church planting while based out of Tranås in our initial phase. I have been examined by EPCEW and was unanimously passed on the presbytery floor. EPCEW is a small denomination that, despite its name, has branched out onto the European continent. One major focus of the denomination is planting means of grace churches, and I will be working with EPCEW’s assistance and oversight. I have great confidence in the session of Immanuel Church in Tranås as well as the goals and fellowship of EPCEW. I look forward to seeing the Lord work in building churches in a nation that has but a dim witness. Would you pray for this goal as well? This is a big dream: to form a presbytery in a nation that currently has only one Presbyterian church. But God’s call to the gospel ministry there is undeniable. Please contact me if you would like to know more about Immanuel Church, EPCEW, the state of the Church in Sweden, or my call there. Please also pray for my family as it will be a significant adjustment moving across the Atlantic Ocean. There is much that needs to be done, and we would love your prayers that we would be strong in our faith in Christ, our love for one another and the saints in the Church, all the while being further strengthened by our eternal hope.
1 Comment
Eric Schievenin
6/15/2017 07:44:23 am
Emily and I are so excited for you and your family Ben! We will be praying for this time of preparation before the fall.
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AuthorBen and Heidi Thomas are missionaries called by EPCEW to church planting in England. Archives
July 2019
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