Getting to Know You: Mats and Sarah Jonsson
Getting to Know You’ introduces you to pastors and ministry leaders within the Fellowship of European International Church network. In this story, we highlight Mats and Sarah Jonsson, who serve as pastors of ICF Malmo, Sweden.
Let’s start with sharing about your lives growing up.
I was born and raised in Malmo, Sweden. None in my family was and still aren’t Christians. I had a big interest in history and music, but I studied economics at school. Sarah studied languages back in Seoul, South Korea. She is a trained language teacher.
Tell us about your call to ministry and what kind of work you do.
From the beginning, Sarah and I wanted to get involved in something at church, but we were not really looking for a leading position. It just happened, guided by the Holy Spirit.
Tell us about ICF Malmo.
The international church started back in 1987, when the pastor of the Swedish church saw a great need to have something in English for the many international students in our city. Since then, the international church has been a “church within the church”. We are connected that way.
What are your roles at your church?
We got involved at the international church years ago, around 20 years ago. Our roles are as of pastors, even if we are lay people. We oversee the church in all ways. I lead services, preach and teach. I also do a radio program once a week, and right now also a you tube study. I am also on the leadership board of the Swedish church.
Tell us about the make-up of your church – any idea how many nations are represented?
We are around 25 different nations that gather comprised of a variety of people and backgrounds including expats, foreign workers, foreign students, professors, some refugees and some nationals. To mention some countries represented are Sweden, S Korea, USA, India, Ghana, Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria, Serbia, Croatia, France, Tanzania, Norway, Brazil, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.
Describe some of the ministries in which the church is involved/active.
We focus a lot to be a “home far away from home”, but also to give people spiritual food. We have seen that there is a huge hunger for the word of God, so beside Sunday service we have midweek teachings and bible studies for people new in the faith, 45 minutes before every Sunday service. (that was the best day for it). We also have a ladies’ fellowship. Occasionally we arrange potlucks, “coffee and Jesus” etc. Children’s ministry is integrated to the Swedish church.
As a community of believers, we must be relationship-building, and everything we do must point to Jesus. We encourage people to pray and give but also to share. We have a strong vision that the gospel of faith in Jesus is carried out in our society. To quote Nicky Gumbel: “Church is not an organization you join; it is a family where you belong, a home where you are loved and a hospital where you find healing.”
What do you enjoy about living and ministering in Malmo?
As a resident of Sweden and Malmo it is rather obvious to like it here perhaps, but we like Malmo because it’s close to the continent, it’s big but not too big. Malmo is also a very international city, and it is easy to connect with people from other cultures.
What makes the city of Malmo unique in terms of culture, the international ‘vibe’, and in terms of the Christian impact on the city?
Malmo is the gateway to Sweden, good or bad. There are around 191 different languages represented in Malmo. Many people from Muslim backgrounds but also many people from Asia, Europe, South America, USA and so on.
What attracted you to serve in international church ministry as opposed to just focusing on the national church?
Well, Pastor Terry Hoggard once said that “it’s not all about language, it is about how you do service”, and that is a big part of it. If a church is dominated by Swedes, you get a Swedish church; if dominated by Africans, you get an African church; if dominated by Americans, etc. So, it is the mix that is so stimulating, and exciting, but can be challenging at times as well.
To quote Nicky Gumbel again: “You can have many reasons to attend church, but you will only stay for one, and that is to find deep and meaningful relationships with other people.”
What do you enjoy about working in international church ministry?
It’s the mix of people and cultures. The joy to be able to study the word of God together with others, to spread the good news.
Many of the people coming to our church are here for studies or for work. Sweden is a rather secular society, and it is hard to get new friends, especially if you are a Christian. That is one reason we are here for them. To be a home, a place to relax, to feel safe, but also a place to be challenged, to learn new things and to grow together in Christ
We are diverse but unified in our faith in Jesus.
What do you see as some of the most pressing challenges of the church in Sweden?
When it comes to the church as an institution, the challenge is the same as in many other western counties. One thing that changed recently is that many churches are growing. Especially evangelical ones and the Catholic Church.
When it comes to ICF Malmo, it’s a challenge to get people around us to understand the necessity to have an international church.
You guys have been some of the most faithful members to attend the Summit and Relational Retreat. What do you enjoy about being part of FEIC? How does the network help you?
We love to travel around and learn from others. But it is also about people. We have made many friends over the years that we love to be around. It’s about relationships. It’s hard to do ministry, so we need each other.
Say a few words about how Terry and Ruthanne Hoggard and Tom and Phyllis Benigas have been an integral part of the church for many years. What has their contribution meant to you and the church?
Terry and Ruthanne came to our church many years ago and in many ways set the tone for the new ICF Malmo. Terry, with his experience, knowledge and enthusiasm helped us greatly. We learned a lot listening to him. We also had a great time together.
Tom and Phyllis Benigas started coming to us once we were really established. They still gladly make the trip from Brussels to Malmo on a regular basis. Their investment in us has been invaluable. We have been honored that they wanted to share special moments of their lives with us.
How can fellow FEIC member pastors pray for you?
There are so many things to pray for. We are lay people, working full time with other things besides church, so please pray for strength. Pray for wisdom, for new ways to reach the lost, pray that we will make more disciples. Pray for us as a family.
Please feel free to add anything you think would be relevant and helpful.
If you are new to FEIC and not sure what to make of it, it is a family. A diverse group of people who are all on the same journey together. Christianity was not meant to be practiced alone, but together.
