{"id":128674,"date":"2024-10-06T14:50:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-06T13:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bcc.no\/2025\/01\/a-leader-who-lives-what-he-preaches-kare-j-smith-80-years-old\/"},"modified":"2025-02-11T13:23:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-11T12:23:35","slug":"a-leader-who-lives-what-he-preaches-kare-j-smith-80-years-old","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bcc.no\/en\/a-leader-who-lives-what-he-preaches-kare-j-smith-80-years-old\/","title":{"rendered":"A leader who lives what he preaches: K\u00e5re J. Smith 80 years old"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The entire adult part of the congregation has been invited to this weekend’s celebration. I meet two busy ladies who are project managers for the event, both of whom are the daughters of K\u00e5re J. Smith. They say that their father was keen for this to be a celebration that gave the participants content to take home, not a celebration of his person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0“When we developed the vision for the celebration, he was particularly concerned that the participants should be encouraged to grasp the love of Christ, and to use the gifts of grace they have been given in the body of Christ for selfless service,” says Elisabeth S. Nielsen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Elisabeth S. Nielsen has worked on the vision and planning of the festivities, and now the implementation is underway. Photo: BCC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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“It made a big impression on us, because that’s how we’ve seen him live, so we’ve kept this in mind throughout the planning of this event,” she says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

And using your gifts to benefit others is a common thread everywhere we go this weekend. From the smiling friends from the local church in Oslo and Follo who provide refreshments at the “Festival Square,” to the beautiful music at the anniversary concert on Friday, and especially when we now gather for the formal celebration on Saturday evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hilde S. Stadven has been working on the preparations for a long time, and says that the celebration is a combination of several elements. She emphasizes that it is also a celebration as a result K\u00e5re J. Smith’s vision for people from all over the world to be able to gather for the church’s international conferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hilde S. Stadven is delighted so far\u2014everything is going according to plan. Photo: BCC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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“This is also a celebration of the completion of Brunstad. The fact that we can have a venue that is large enough and suitable for gathering for the international conferences is absolutely fantastic. Now we’re seeing how this works in practice,” says Hilde S. Stadven.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The local church in Oslo and Follo welcome the participants to the festive weekend. Photo: BCC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Participants from all countries feel welcome when they see their own flag at the entrance. Photo: BCC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cheerful BBQ chefs offer quality hot dogs as a Friday afternoon snack. Photo: BCC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The “Festival Square” is bustling with life, with live music, food service, and reunions with good friends. Photo: BCC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Time for good conversations across generations. Photo: BCC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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On Friday evening, there are autumn festivities in Hagebyen, decorated for the occasion with kilometers of string lights. Photo: BCC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday, Oslofjord Arena is festively decked out and made ready to receive almost 10,000 guests. It’s time to celebrate the 80th<\/sup> birthday of a much-loved church leader. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celebratory music and song, edifying and evocative films, and a series of speeches paint a picture of K\u00e5re J. Smith’s life and ministry. And, importantly, we get to see and hear how his visions have led to tremendous development and change in the church. At the same time, it is secure because it has been built on what was from the beginning\u2014the word of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The festivities are opened with these verses from the first letter of John:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life\u2014the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us …”<\/a> (1 John 1:1\u20132 NKJV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Many can testify that we have seen the life of Christ manifested, and that K\u00e5re J. Smith’s ministry has been of great help to many people around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gertrude (70) from South Africa points out that Smith’s preaching has left room for each individual to develop at their own pace. Bernt (82) from Norway thanks Smith for leading the church back to the way it was from the beginning, and making church life sound and good for children, young people, and the elderly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christoph (71) from Germany describes the importance of the conferences at Brunstad, and all the work that goes into making it possible for it to be as good as it is today, as very valuable. He compares it to an anthill, where everyone works together in harmony, and that the unity, preaching, and fellowship we have during the conferences at Brunstad is completely unique. Sara (59) is grateful for the clear preaching that has been a great help in life, even when faced with demanding situations and conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An amazing, beautiful gospel performance by participants from Detroit, USA. Photo: BCC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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There are a lot of details to get right in a big event, but project manager Hilde remains calm. Photo: BCC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Many grateful friends wanted to wish K\u00e5re J. Smith a happy birthday. Photo: BCC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Two people who have great care and love for the people they meet: Eva and K\u00e5re J. Smith. Photo: BCC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Martin Luther’s hymn “A mighty fortress is our God” was performed by the large choir from Oslo and Follo\u2014a powerful experience. Photo: BCC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The grandchildren surprised Grandpa K\u00e5re with a huge jello cake\u2014jello is one of his favorite snacks. Photo: BCC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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See greetings from grateful friends from around the world at the bottom of the page<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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For decades, K\u00e5re J. Smith has traveled all over the world to preach the Word and help people make a personal connection with Jesus. At the same time, he has played a key role in the renewal and implementation of the conferences at Brunstad. Together with his wife Eva, he has shown great care for individuals in his pastoral ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As K\u00e5re J. Smith himself says in one of the evening’s films: “What drives me is my love for people.” \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The life Dad talks about is absolutely true; he lives that life,” says his daughter Hanne. And many will agree with Hilde when she says, “I’ve learned that Christianity shouldn’t be a gloomy and sad life\u2014it’s well-being and joy!” The grandchildren had made a film for the celebration, and the words they use to describe their grandfather resonate with all of us who have gotten to know him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grandpa K\u00e5re is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n