The importance of being able to gather for conferences across borders, cultures and age has been clearer than ever this summer. Life has been bustling at Brunstad, and two family events and a summer camp for young people are now over.
This tradition is to continue, and it’s the basis of the fundraising campaign for young people, now in a new guise. A group of volunteer youth workers from Norway, the Netherlands and Germany have been working with creativity and commitment for several months leading up to the launch.
The applause resounds in the hall as the new campaign, PACE, is revealed. Its theme is all about runners in a race keeping a steady pace over a period of time.
– The purpose of the campaign is to help ensure that those who wish to do so can attend conferences and camps both now and in the future, regardless of their family’s financial situation, says Jermund Pedersen. He is the leader of Brunstad Youth Club and has been the driving force behind getting the new action group involved.
The action consists of two parts. One part is BUK (Brunstad Youth Club), where the local youth clubs get jobs together and everyone pays a monthly contribution to their own contribution plan to cover participation in the next youth camp. This time, a fun gimmick has been added: collecting coins in the action. Saving up for the camps themselves is an important part of the journey, and the plan is set up according to how many youth camps you plan to attend. Naturally, this varies depending on how far you have to travel to Brunstad.
The second part is Samvirk UNG. It applies to those between the ages of 18 and 26 who have begun a long-term payment of equity to their own hotel accommodation agreement. Many of them now live with their parents during the events, so via Samvirk UNG they get help to stay in credit until they need their own accommodation as adults.
Information about conferences
Great expectations were created for the feast celebration weekend that takes place in October. So many participants are expected that everyone was encouraged to join forces as much as possible when it comes to accommodation this particular weekend. Those who can’t travel or can’t get a seat, were recommended to catch the broadcasts via the Live app.
Information was also provided about annual registration for conferences in 2025, which opens in October, and a reminder that everyone who participates in the conferences also needs to book accommodation in Samvirk.
The Magazine highlighted that people who are particularly financially disadvantaged have the opportunity to apply for assistance through a local support scheme so they can also participate in conferences.
– We really want to ensure that those who are in particularly demanding situations experience being taken care of by the local pastoral service, said Trond Eriksen from the stage on behalf of the Board of Trustees.
Conclusion of the convention
There have been many rich and weighty messages during the meetings this summer. In his closing address, Kåre J. Smith used the verse from the Acts of the Apostles as his starting point: “But you shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit comes upon you” (chapter 1, verse 8).
– We will receive power to live the life of Jesus, we are living in the time of power, and it is possible to get out of sin, he said.
He also brought out what shows that we are walking in the Spirit, namely that we gain the fruits of the Spirit. These are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).
– There are always invisible forces emanating from a godly person’s life, a fragrance of the life of Jesus, said Smith. He concluded by giving thanks for the summer conferences, blessing the congregation and all the participants who are now traveling home.
