"New Generation" aims to Evangelize Whole Sweden

A wave of gospel sweeps through Scandinavian schools. An energetic band of young Christians from New Generation is aggressively evangelizing students. They counter the increasingly secular Europe.

Started at Oslo University in 1996, New Generation has more than 10,000 participants who view their schools throughout Norway and Sweden as a mission field.

New Generation students seek creative ways of evangelizing. Swedish national leader Joakim Lundqvist said that one team raised more than $12,000 in just three weeks. The funds will be enough to purchase Bibles as Christmas gifts for all their schoolmates.

The gift package does not just mean handing out Bibles; the group wrapped each Bible and included a personal greeting.

Generally, each principal determines how much evangelistic freedom students are given, though invitations for salvation must be done one-on-one. As they have gained the place in the school milieu, students have been able to lead outreach events and hold prayer meetings on their campuses.

New Generation aims high and think big. "Our goal in Sweden is to present Jesus to every student, every year," Leader Lundqvist said. "School is where everyone is; the whole coming society is there. We want to see New Generation in every school."

The first New Generation International Conference is set for Sept. 29-Oct. 3 in Gothenburg, Sweden. It is expected to spur global interest.