Conferences

Eventful New Years`s Conference Brings in 2018

3. January 2018

New Year`s weekend—once again time for an international conference at Oslofjord Convention Center. 7,500 members from 29 countries participated in the conference, which consisted of 2 days of upbuilding meetings, information, and bringing in the New Year with fireworks and festivities.

Text: Johanne Reiersrud – Photo: Randi J. Hutt

Representatives from all corners of the world came as early as Friday night, even though the official program started on Saturday morning. Many more BCC-members followed along at home, via BrunstadTV`s live broadcasts from the conference.

Kåre J. Smith opened the conference with the verses from Psalm 119:89-90, “Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.”

Jesus came to the earth with far-reaching salvation for mankind, and God`s word speaks of this salvation, which can transform us internally. We heard about the calling to be disciples of Jesus, and the verse from Acts was read about the multitudes who were gripped of the faith and wanted to follow Jesus after his death on Golgata.”So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7).

There was a disciple revival in Jerusalem nearly 2,000 years ago, and this revival lives on today for those who in truth want to follow Jesus.

/><br /> <em>Around 7,500 BCC-members gathered at the conference for edification and observance of the New Year. Photo: BCC</em></p> <h4>A hopeful message for anyone who wants to follow Jesus</h4> <p>To be a follower of Jesus is only possible through humility, purity, and obedience to Christ`s word. “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” says Jesus in Luke 14:27. Those who want to be Jesus` disciples come to him to learn from him and become like him. They can then partake of God`s wisdom and become a guide and help for others also.</p> <p>The rest of the conference was characterized by the same message. Four faith-building meetings were held in total, in addition to several scheduled performances with a Christian message for young and old. A youth-meeting for ages 13-35 was held on Saturday evening, and on Sunday morning the news program “<a href=BrunstadMagasinet” was sent live from the conference, with inspiration and information for all BCC members.

/><br /> <em>Brunstadmagasinet was broadcast from a full hall, and consisted of inspiration, entertainment, and information for all members. Photo: BCC</em></p> <h4>More housing facilities and less commuting traffic</h4> <p>Before this conference two new hotel buildings were opened at Oslofjord Convention Center, which increased accommodation capacity by 159 hotel suites. “This is the first time we are staying in the new hotel buildings,” report Liv Kari and Kjetil Sundmark Johnsen, who have taken the trip to Oslofjord for the New Year`s conference, “We have entered a leasing contract with Oslofjord which gives us access to accommodations at every BCC conference for the next 20 years. Even though we live pretty close to Brunstad, we see the value of staying overnight at Brunstad with our children- it is a much better experience and more relaxed to be at the conference.”</p> <p><em><img decoding=