In the mid-90s, I had the privilege of being the project manager for the churches’ evangelism initiative during the Water Festival in Stockholm. It was a fantastic experience with open churches all over the city. But I almost decided to quit. Everything was moving slowly. When I said a prayer – in despair – the phone rang. It was the leader of UMU, Tjebbo v. d. Eijkhof. He said, “God has told me to help you. We are going to start Gideon’s gang.”

It was like emptying a full ketchup bottle upside down. Suddenly, everyone got involved. 16 different churches quickly became participants. In the best area of the Festival, there was Clowntown for the children, which became the children’s own party in the middle of the Water Festival with 40 volunteers, engaged as clowns, assistants, TV helpers, and more. TV-Inter was on site with the necessary staff and recording equipment. The children lined up to record their video cassettes.

Gideon’s gang, what was it? It was large groups of youths who, dressed in Jesus shirts, went around praying and proclaiming Jesus throughout central Stockholm. People turned around and wondered. With the cross as a symbol and the message of love, they marched through Stockholm. Inga Pagreus, together with Elisabeth Grönberg from the LP Foundation, led the diaconal team that was out in the evenings. Every evening, there was a buildup at Kungsgatan 23 with preparations and intense prayer. Prayer teams were engaged between 10:00 PM and 1:00 AM. Altogether, it became an explosion of events and collaborations that affected many people in Stockholm.

It became an incredibly successful initiative. What was the secret?
1. There was a common vision to spread the gospel.
2. Many were involved, and they tackled the task in collaboration and understanding.
3. Everything was scaled down to smaller manageable units.
4. People with the gift of evangelism led the way.
5. Necessary resources were released.
6. Everything was bathed in prayer.

/Roger Arnfjell