It is only half six pm in the congregation house but it is already teeming with people. The organizers and leaders are taking care of their last minute arrangements. People are starting to arrive and the house band is getting ready to play the first song. I happen to overhear a guest who is trying to find a seat, saying to a friend: “I would not have the strength to go on if it were not for these “Hope of Thursday”-nights.” “Hope of Thursday” has carried out its mission in one person´s life.
It all started from a question Antti Saarenketo, the manager of the Finnish Lutheran Hour, asked his bible study group. In what church service would you invite a neighbour, who does not yet know Jesus, and does not take part in any church activities? No one could think of such a place and so we decided to plan a night where people, who do not yet know Jesus, would find it easy to come to.
“Hope of Thursday”-evenings take place every other Thursday and they started in Kankaanpaa a year ago. Dozens of volunteers and organizers share the same vision: to bring hope from heaven to the people in Kankaanpaa so that they too could find salvation in Jesus. We also want to bring people to other church services and inspire them to take more responsibility within their congregation.
Many congregations are interested in copying this example shown by us and they want to start it in their parishes. The Lutheran Hour arranges all the training needed. It all works in a sort of a “Linux-principle”; all knowledge and experience is there for other parishes to use.
It was surprising that people of all ages come to the very same event to hear the gospel preached. One youngster even said: “It is great that for once adults organize something that is actually neat to come to.” The young and the old, together side by side, singing songs that are mainly known from events originally arranged for young people. The songs are easy for everyone to sing. There has been about 150-300 participants every night. During the evening, childcare and children´s Sunday school is been taken care of by our keen volunteers. There has always been musical guest or guests from all around Finland. They have done their share in making the nights memorable. Of course, there is usually a visiting preacher doing the teaching and preaching for that night. A person attending these evenings once commented on the speeches saying that one of the reasons this event is successful is because things are spoken clearly and understandably. Every “Hope of Thursday “-night is different because the topic for every night changes.
Our goal is that after every evening people would have something to take home to. The message of hope is the same as before, only the methods of sharing it might be different. It is obvious that people enjoy taking part in these evenings. Teaching and testimonies are being listened to with great enthusiasm.
>> Kirsi Viita
>> Liisa Heiskanen
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