The Seinäjoki Free Church in western Finland has developed its Valkea building into a thriving community hub that reaches far beyond its 500-member congregation, serving as both a worship space and a centre for community life in the Etelä-Pohjanmaa region. At the heart of this outreach is the Suvikello daycare, which brings approximately 80 families through the building's doors every day — more than half of whom are not actively involved in the life of the church.
The Valkea building, which has been a significant financial undertaking for the congregation, was designed from the outset to serve as more than a conventional church facility. Its ground floor hosts a continuous stream of events, gatherings and meetings that generate both community engagement and essential income for the church. While the heavy use of the space occasionally creates tension with the congregation's own programming, church leaders view the trade-off as worthwhile. "Miracles are needed, but so is people's commitment," said Tommi Mäki, an entrepreneur, active member of Seinäjoki Free Church, and member of the national board of the Evangelical Free Church of Finland (Suomen Vapaakirkko), in an interview with Suomen Viikkolehti.
Mäki, who runs a property services company with three locations and around twenty employees in the Etelä-Pohjanmaa region, sees a direct connection between his faith and his business calling. He describes employment as one of the most important ways he can serve others, recounting instances where providing a job has helped individuals find a new direction in life. Mäki practises what he terms "servant leadership", arriving early at the office to make coffee for his staff and emphasising that ethical decisions in business must be made proactively rather than under pressure. In addition to his roles on the Free Church national board and the Seinäjoki congregation's finance committee, Mäki has served on the board of the Suvikello daycare for nearly a decade. "It's not about ownership," he said. "It's about impact and reach."
(Originally published in Finnish by Suomen Viikkolehti. Summary translated by CC / Connexion.)
Source: Suomen Vapaakirkko / Suomen Viikkolehti — svl.fi
