Conferences

“It feels good to be on the giving side!”

Voluntary efforts are a central element in the summer conferences, and many help to create good experiences for the participants. We have had a chat with some of those who contribute voluntarily during the conference, about what they themselves think about this.

8. August, 2022
By: Helene Larsen / Photo: BCC

“My job here is to help ensure that there is peace and order in the place, so that Brunstad is a safe and secure place for all participants.”

That’s what Ragnar Larsen (70) from Hønefoss says. He is retired, and also the head of his local church. During the conferences, he has volunteered for a number of years.

We ask Ragnar what his motivation is.

“I think it is natural to contribute with voluntary efforts in the community you are a part of. It both feels good and is good to be on the giving side.”

“I myself have been blessed by others, so now I feel responsible”

Miriam Abraham was the presenter at the French-speaking children’s meeting. Photo: BCC

Miriam Abraham is 28 years old, and the mother of three young children. She usually works in a landscaping company and is also actively involved in the work for the children in the local church in Nancy in France.

During the summer conference, she has been program manager during the children’s day, at the meeting for the French-speaking children between 3 and 5 years of age. On this day several children’s meetings have been held in parallel, in different languages.

“There are approximately 35-40 French children aged 3-5, so we have also brought in several mentors during the meeting, who have activated the children”, says Miriam.

She says that they have had good cooperation with the head of the children’s committee in BCC, Annette Tobler, during the preparations for the children’s meeting.

When asked what motivates Miriam to contribute voluntarily, she replies as follows:

“I have gotten so much from the events here at Brunstad ever since I was little, so it is important for me to be able to contribute now and do what I can. I myself have been blessed and influenced by the work of others and I now feel a responsibility for the next generation, and not least for my own children. After all, I am engaged in the work in my own local church during the rest of the year, and then it is natural for me to also contribute during the conference at Brunstad.”

“I am motivated by doing good for those around me”

Kerstin and Antje (third and fourth from the left) believe it is meaningful to contribute during BCC’s summer conference. Photo: private

“I myself get so happy when I see that the children are smiling and having a good time together”, says Antje Schaab (20).

Together with her sister Kerstin (23) from the West of the Netherlands, she has volunteered at the activity arranged for children during the summer conference in August.

In total, the local churches in the Netherlands filled up 1,250 voluntary shifts during the summer conference in August, and many of the Dutch participants have contributed voluntarily on several fronts.

Antje and Kerstin have both worked with food delivery and as watchmen in Oslofjord Arena, where there are a number of different activities for children. They say that they are happy about the opportunity to contribute:

“I am motivated by being able to contribute with my time and do good for those around me. For me, it’s a way to give something back for everything I’ve received myself”, says Kerstin.

Antje agrees with this. She says that helping with children’s activities is extra rewarding: “By contributing to the work with the children, I can help create good memories for them, so that they are as happy to be at the conferences at Brunstad as I am.”