In Arboga, a new United Methodist church was officially started November 20, 2010. But already in 2005, pastor Patras Salakhan began to gather people in his home for a cell group. The idea of planting a church came up already 2007.
– According to 2 Tim.2:2 I have prepared my disciples who are witnessing and motivating people to come to Christ and receive Him as their Saviour, pastor Salakhan tells. I conduct training seminars, hold conventions, provide written material and assign my leaders responsibilities to help them grow and practise what they have learned, says pastor Salakhan.
- Church, to me, is the body of Christ, as Paul says in Col 1 :24. It is the elect company of believers, who by the influence of the Holy Spirit, were baptized into one body. We see those who are born again and baptized as Christians.
Mission, vision, and values
- Our mission is to present Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, leaving the results to God. Our vision is to 1. shepherd the people diligently and to 2. reach the un-reached with the love of Christ. Our value is presented in Acts 20:28 “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood”.
Is there any particular group of people the church-plant in Arboga tries to reach?
- No doubt, people from India and Pakistan are our first preference, pastor Salakhan says. But also people from my neighbouring countries, such as Afghanistan and Iran are on my heart, as well as Africans, mostly with a Muslim back-ground. We have already people from Africa and South-America in the church. The church is multi-lingual and multi-cultural. Sometimes English is used.
Church culture
- Basically, we want to establish a biblical culture with the challenges of present trends. The worship style is evangelical and free. We are developing our own music style for worship. I am careful that our liberty may not fall into evil. In the beginning we will rent a space for worship and services.
- My walk with my Lord God and Saviour excites, encourages and motivates me, says pastor Salakhan. I feel He guides me with His Holy Sprit and empowers me to achieve my goals.
Camilla Klockars