It's saturday evening in Älmhult. From the Brome'room you can hear singing and prayers. The newly started Citykyrkan is having service. -The de-christianization has gone far in our society. We want to be where the problems are, says pastor Peringe Pihlström.
About ten people are participating this evenings service. That's fewer than normal. -We're usually between 35 and 40 people, says Cecilia Claesson, one of the members in Citykyrkan. The foundation is Christianity, but the service is different than that of the Swedish State Church. -It is very much the individual participation of the members that steers the service, says Peringe Pihlström. The church sings with their eyes closed and their palms towards the ceiling. After the song pastor Pihlström prays a prayer for Älmhult. -We pray for the people that live here and in the communities around us. -We want them to hear the name Jesus, he says.
Saved at age 13
This payer is followed by both silent and loud prayers from the congregation. -Hallelujah! a woman calls out. Cecilia Claesson, 25, was saved at the age of 13. -It is the most wonderful thing you could experience, she claims. -I feel an enormous joy, a peace, and I have no fear of death. She doesn't feel like she has had to sacrifice anything for her faith. -I don't drink and I don't go out to dance. Not because it's not allowed, but because I'm not interested. -I have so much joy in my life anyway. Next weekend there will be a more formal declaration of the church.
Priests from the USA
Peringe Pihlström has a past as a pastor in the USA. He has therefore decided to invite four American pastors. Among others Anthony Earl, black pastor, and leader for the Christian Mens movement Promise keepers. -This will be somewhat of a proclamation-to show that Jesus loves everyone, regardless of race and social statue, says Peringe Pihlström.
Text and Photo: Anna Liljequist
Translation: Per-Erik Pihlström