God is doing something great in Finland!

Six years ago a Global University Learning Center opened in the city of Oulu, Finland. Since then thirty students have finished the first two courses. They have students as young as 21 and as old as 65. Many of the students are women and the Learning Center has some students who are learning via sign language. The students are enrolled in a two year program and study two to three courses each term. The instructors are currently teaching the third course and have a record enrolment of 38 students.

Learning helps to understand the complete picture

Mika (age 37) a regional director for a hospital equipment company, and Outi (age 32) a mother of three, are from Haukiputaa and they spend Friday evenings learning the Bible in Oulu. Through learning they want to get to know the book which is the guideline for their life. Learning involves a desire to find one’s place in church and prepare for the call God places in their heart.

“I have been a believer for a long time, but previously it meant only that I had a place reserved for me in heaven. God has called me to further the gospel. Studying the Bible prepares me for it. I strive to read the Bible daily. It has been interesting to see that what the Bible talks about indeed has contemporary application.”- Mika

Outi, who was encouraged by her husband to study, is happy about joining. She sees a benefit in systematic study of familiar topics. As a mother she finds the Bible to be a source of guidelines for child rearing as well as living faultless life.

“The Bible is the dearest book to me. Before, I used to read it out of duty, now that the Bible has begun to open up, my faith has begun to grow.” -Outi

An advertisement in the church monthly magazine got Mikko (age 21) and Voitto (age 63) to enrol in the Christian Service program in Oulu. “After seeing the advertisement it became clear to us that this was where we should go. As a father and son, we have a common hobby now. Before this, it was the driving school”, Voitto says happily.

Voitto said about the Old Testament Introduction course - “I had stopped reading the Old Testament. During the course I began to understand the Old Testament correctly”.

Mikko has been a believer for a year. He had previously started to read the Bible but now he applies a Bible study plan to maintain diversity in reading schedule. Studying the Bible has opened up several new things - even the Jewish Exile - for Mikko. “This strengthens my faith, he encapsulates the benefits of learning.”