New Apostolic Church Chief Apostle to Visit Sweden, a Country with 221,000 Islands and 439 Congregation Members

The Chief Apostle of the New Apostolic Church, following his recent visit to South Africa, will visit Sweden this weekend. The country, known for its vast landscapes and numerous islands, offers a unique setting for the Church’s presence. Dieter Krause, a Priest and congregational rector in Malmö, describes the Swedish character as calm and easy-going, often encapsulated in the phrases “Det ordna sig!” (“Everything will be fine!”) and “Tar det lugnt!” (“Take it easy!”)—reflections of a people who live in the North and value politeness and harmony in conversation.

Sweden spans over 1,600 kilometers from south to north and is approximately 500 kilometers wide. With a population of around ten million, it hosts over 221,000 islands, more than thirty times the number found in the Philippines. The New Apostolic Church maintains four congregations in Sweden, with a total membership of 439. These congregations are served by 24 ministers, with varying numbers of members in each location, ranging from 42 in Malmö to 236 in Stockholm.

The New Apostolic Church has been present in Sweden since 1897, when Bernhard Wiesel, a German Evangelist, moved to Stockholm and founded the congregation there. That same year, Chief Apostle Friedrich Krebs ordained him. The congregation grew to 60 members within the first fifteen years. After World War I and World War II, many German Christians fled to Sweden, contributing to the establishment of congregations in Gothenburg and Malmö. Additional congregations were later formed in Växjö, Vänersborg, Borås, Södertälje, and Älmhult.

Despite the Church’s long-standing presence, the number of practicing Christians is declining, a trend observed across much of Europe. Divine services in Sweden are held regularly in Stockholm and Gothenburg, on Sundays and Wednesdays. In Malmö and Växjö, congregations alternate between the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Malmö and a hotel in Växjö for their Sunday gatherings. In Nattavaara, north of the Arctic Circle, a sister lives with her family, and services are conducted irregularly during the winter months. Since District Evangelist Bernd Rauser relocated to Umeå with his wife for professional reasons, devotions and services are held in their home.

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