Turkish delight and impressions from Ephesus

I am now on the plane home from our Congress in Ephesus, Turkey. Just before boarding I tasted some of the country’s greatest and sweetest prides, Turkish delight. I am not a candy man, but actually found it quite tasty!

But this is not the strongest impression that I bring back home from Turkey. As I reflect over the last days I get very thankful how this has developed.

The congress started in an unusual way. Just a few days before it started, the news about pastor Ulf Ekman’s decision to be received into the Catholic Church went viral, it became both national and international news. All the delegates that virtually were already packing for the congress, suddenly understand that the founder and leader of the movement is taking this step and will not be its leader any more. You can only imagine the thoughts that must have rushed through their minds.

Pastor Ulf also stepped down as President of Word of Life International and I was honoured to be voted in to take his place. So now I was heading for Ephesus to meet all these pastors coming in. Of course I could imagine different potential scenarios, good and bad, play out there, but I must say that deep in my heart I had peace and confidence that the Lord would help and guide us in this situation. “What is born of God, overcomes"!

Ulf Ekman came in Thursday morning to tell about his decision. I am sure that there were very different reactions and emotions among the delegates. The congress heard him and treated this respectfully and in a worthy way. Right there I got even more proud of this movement. Obvious also that it is not built around a man, but around Jesus and His word, which has of course always been the intention. The congress prayed for Ulf and Birgitta, as they now embark on their journey, which they have also expressed is their personal journey.

I, and a number of Word of Life centre leaders addressed the congress about our future. We declared that we have a clear identity as an Evangelical Charismatic movement and that there is no agenda, neither hidden nor open to become catholic or orthodox or anything else for that matter. We still believe in and are committed to our joint vision, we know our specific characteristics or DNA and we will continue to preach the gospel, build and strengthen the churches and minister to and bless fellow believers in different parts of the Body of Christ. As the first day passed we could clearly see how hope, and courage returned and with that peace and joy. 

The following days we made excursions to biblical sites as Laodicea, Hierapolis and ancient Ephesus. We also had discussions and adopted documents about What is a Word of Life Church, What is a Word of Life pastor, Family, Christian Ethics and Code of ethics of a Word of Life pastor.  All these help to define who and what we are as a movement. So many expressed thankfulness for this clarity.

I am thankful to God and also to my dear friends within Word of Life family, coming from such a wide array of cultural backgrounds that showed such a good heart and attitude. What could be maybe our biggest crisis up till now, we have together started to turn into a positive challenge. I sensed a new resolve and decisiveness, a clearer ownership of the vision, a new sense of responsibility and positive expectancy on the future, rise up among us.

Our test can become our testimony, our trial our triumph. Difficulties make us either bitter or better. My impression is that the International Word of Life family has chosen to become the latter. Maybe we in the future will look back and see that these turned out to be our finest days? This is what I expect, what I will work for and pray for, and that together with all our fine delegates that expressed such warmth, love, assurance and commitment to march together into the future united.

This leaves a sweetness, far greater than any Turkish delight could do. This is the sweetness of a good future in the making. Thank you dear brothers and sisters within the Word of Life family!

As you watch this video from the Congress you will get a direct impression of the good mood and positive atmosphere that marked it. - We are Word of LIfe Family

With Christ, To the Ends of the World,

Christian Åkerhielm