New head pastor and a time for a new generation

tirsdag 02. september 2008 17:37

Per Arne Gjerde is accepting responsibility as the main pastor at Christian Fellowship, freeing Morten Askeland to do more pioneer work. Erling Thu and Per Kristing have faithfully served in the church's council of elders for many years and are now passing the torch to a new generation.

 Morten Askeland will still work closely with Per Arne Gjerde as an elder of Christian Fellowship in Bergen, but he will from now on spend more time helping new congregations and fellowships around Norway. He will mostly be working in collaboration with Terje Dahle from Trondheim in this ministry.

New head pastor well received by the congregation

At the last church meeting the decision that Per Arne Gjerde is taking over as the head pastor of the church was very well received.

Per Arne grew up in the church, and has worked closely with Morten for the past few years, being mostly responsible for the preaching of the word of God. Per Arne and Elin, together with their family, also lived in Tromsø for 4 years, before they returned to Bergen. They are now looking forward to getting started on their new tasks. 



- I am looking forward to getting started, together with Elin. Even if we have made some changes, Morten and I will still work as a team, like we always have done. And with Yohans with us we have a good team with great diversity. Together with all the people we are appointed to serve as leaders, I am sure that we have a very exciting and rich ministry ahead of us, Per Arne says enthusiastically.

Both Morten and Per Arne agree that these changes are the right steps for both of them.


- We have a long lasting friendship which means a lot to us, and which definitely will be an asset the future ministry. What is really good, is that the changes make us both able to work even more in line with what we feel is God’s calling for our lives, Morten adds.

 Time for a new generation

Lately there has been a focus on the need to let a new generation lead the church on the road ahead. Sunday August 17th Yohans Mehari was inaugurated as an elder in the church. Now more younger people have a chance to step up.

Erling Thu and Per Kristing, who have faithfully served in the church's council of elders for many years, have chosen to pass on the torch to a new generation, and resign from their positions as elders in the church. They will both continue to serve actively in the church, and have decided, together with their families, to continue to serve God by having a focus on mission and helping under privileged people in India and the Phillippines. 



Erling has travelled to India a lot the past few years, in order to teach local church leaders, and he has also written several books. Per, on his part, will be involved in building up the administration for Ministries without Borders in the Phillippines, in addition to counselling.

The road ahead

When it comes to the road ahead for the congregation in Bergen, the church has a vision:  to see Bergen filled with a vibrant expression of Jesus’ life lived among Christians in a authentic every day fellowships in neighbourhoods and communities.


- We envision a church with many congregations. We will prioritise to strengthen the leadership and initiatives which promote this, Per Arne and Morten say in closing.

Read more about the church leadership here...