There are many activities in Brunstad Christian Church. This time a conference was organised for a special target group: married couples. And all the facilities of the ultramodern conference centre, such as its restaurant, comfortable café and well-being centre were utilised during the weekend.
“This kind of weekend is so relaxing, and some time to ourselves is a rare luxury,” said many couples who had travelled from all over the globe to come to Brunstad in Norway for the conference.
God gives grace to the humble
This weekend did not just cater for body and soul, but most of all for the spirit. In the meetings, various themes were discussed from the Bible.
“Saul started off very well when he was the king of Israel, but soon he exalted himself and became proud. God hates pride,” explained Kåre J. Smith. “But David was blessed because of his attitude. He had low thoughts about himself, even when he became king of Israel. God judges us according to the thoughts in our hearts, and gives grace to the humble. But He resists the proud.”
Someone who thinks highly of himself finds it difficult to have fellowship and heart-to-heart contact with other people. Humble people realise that they lack wisdom in the various situations of life. But then they “can ask God for it, He who gives willingly”. The importance of living for God was also stressed; not to be a hypocrite who only does his good deeds to be seen by people.
Feast for Kåre J. Smith
A grand feast was also organized during this weekend, to celebrate the 65th birthday of Kåre Smith, the church leader. The time was forgotten in the main hall, where songs, poems and messages went on till the early hours of the morning.
Many people were thankful for what God had done in and through Smith: “He is a man full of goodness and love, who really cares about people, and ambassador for heaven, you can experience the virtues of Christ in him.”
Several people quoted the verses in the first letter of John. “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” (1 John 1:1) And there were many who wanted to thank Kåre J. Smith for his considerate and comprehensive ministry as a shepherd, and for his care.
Kåre J. Smith is the grandchild of Johan Oscar Smith, who founded Brunstad Christian Church. Some of the letters written by J.O. Smith were quoted to compare his life and work for the church with that of Kåre J. Smith. Smith’s wife and children described a humourous father, and performed a song they had written themselves.