In mid-August, eight believers of different ages were baptized in Kauhava, Finland, in a service that grew out of simple cooperation between two Free Church congregations. Alajärven Vapaaseurakunta (Alajärvi Free Church) had a happy problem at the start of the summer: a number of people wanted to follow Jesus in believer's baptism, but the congregation has no baptismal pool of its own. A phone call to a neighbouring church solved it — Kauhava Free Church had exactly what they lacked.
The baptism is a concrete sign of life and growth among Finland's Free Church congregations, which belong to the Evangelical Free Church of Finland (Suomen Vapaakirkko, SVK). Seven of those baptized came from Alajärvi and one from Kauhava, and the service was held as a shared celebration of public commitment to following Jesus. The congregation described the event as an example of the gospel advancing through churches working together rather than alone.
Jorma Suopuro, chair of Alajärvi's elder board, carried out the baptisms, with Kauhava pastor Kai Almgren among those supporting and music led by Ville Joensuu and Heidi Sorvari. The congregation heard testimonies from the newly baptized — some long-time believers whose baptism had been delayed by the busyness of everyday life, and others who had recently come to faith. The article encourages other congregations not to try to do everything themselves: when one church lacks something another already has, asking for help and working together as co-workers of Jesus can open unexpected doors.
(Originally published in Finnish. Summary translated by CC / Connexion.)
Source: Suomen Vapaakirkko / Suomen Viikkolehti — svl.fi
