If you were to visit Philadelphia, you’d find about 1,200 evangelical churches.  If you crossed the Atlantic and visited Stockholm, Sweden–a city the same size as Philly–you’d find just 130 evangelical churches.  This European city, home to 160,000 Muslims, is one of the most strategic places in the world to reach with the Gospel.

For that reason Greater Europe Mission helped plant a church in a section of the city called Varberg.  Like many other cities, Stockholm is divided into sections accessible by the subway.  Varberg is one of 10 stops along a line that services one region.  “I’d like to see nine new churches planted in Stockholm on the red subway line, beginning in Bredang and continuing down to Norsborg,” says Forrest, a GEM missionary.  “I’ve shared this with the pastor of the Varberg church, and he is excited about the idea.”

Believers in Stockholm envision recruiting new missionaries to pray daily at each of the nine subway stops for several months.  “They’ll pray against principalities and powers, for schools and places of business,” Forrest says.  “They’ll ask God to show them people of peace.  They’re praying for government, blessing, and that God would save the people.”

After the period of prayer, missionaries are engaging in spiritual mapping: prayerfully seeking out places to pray and people with whom to engage in conversation.  The hope is to be invited to a home to pray for the person and family,” says Forrest.  “That could lead to an opportunity to share Christ with them and potentially with their network.  That house might become a house church.”

Is this vision something you can get excited about?

Might God be tugging at your heart to learn more and possibly get involved?

Opportunities:

Pray! Pray for a church at each of the nine subway stops in southwestern Stockholm–and for churches throughout this nation.

GO! Consider being a part of a short term prayer team.  Or, possibly consider investing in a longer time committment to be part of a GEM church planting team.