The foundation of our work: Gospel, mission and community
"Gospel is our Strength”
"Christ is not only righteous in Himself, but possesses an actively working righteousness and life, which, like a spring bursting forth, flows abundantly to all who participate in Christ.”
– Gabriel Hedberg, Doctrine of Faith unto Salvation.
God encourages and leads all Christians to proclaim the Gospel in their life, serve their neighbors, and pray together with all Christians. Christians are one because we have been united in Christ to His Church, and with one another through baptism.
According to His promise in his Word, God has called us all to be coworkers in His calling of love and has sent us to walk alongside one another in the joy of faith. The love that comes from faith forms the foundation for our love of others, equal and fair treatment of one another, and also encourages us to take responsibility for world as God’s creation. Faith thus manifests as 1. proclamation, 2. teaching, and 3. service for humanity and the world.
"Mission is our Task”
We believe that mission is a task given to every individual, granting direction, meaning, and joy to both individual and communal life. (See the Great Commission of Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20) We are called to be disciples and followers of Christ through our own character and our gifts.
"Christianity without Jesus Christ inevitably becomes Christianity without discipleship, and Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Jesus Christ; which is simply an idea or a myth. Christianity, where there is only God the Father, but not Christ as the living Son, makes discipleship outright impossible.”
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship.
Up to this day, our work has mainly focused on Africa, Russia, and Estonia. However, due to the global political changes, our new 2024 strategy shifts focus towards Southeast Asia. With your help, we can support mission work and thus participate in the central mission of the Church together!
"Community is our Support”
FLEM is a mission organization and an association. It is formed by members who actively participate in the life of their local churches in Finland. Core activities in Finland include church festivals, mission events, Bible lectures, gatherings, camps, and trips. We aim to promote mission education in congregations and, where possible, engage in activities, worship services, and organizing teaching and evangelism events.
"Mission begins at the very heart of the Triune God. The Trinity is sustained by love, which overflows abundantly into all creation and humanity. God is a God of mission, who sent His Son into the world and calls all of God’s people (John 20:21), empowering them to be a community of hope.”
– Together Towards Life: Mission and Evangelism in Changing Landscapes (World Council of Churches Mission Document).
What is our mission?
FLEM is a mission organization and we are committed to following the official theological principles of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. We aim to advocate for equality and good governance in our work in Finland and abroad with our international partners.
Our mission is threefold:
- We proclaim the Good News of Jesus, the Savior who conquered death and evil.
- We train workers with our partner churches and organizations so they may take responsibility and contribute to their own churches and communities.
- We equip churches to provide material aid to those in need.
