anniversary: April 30th, 1966

birthdays: Samuel Speer - February 24th, 1947, Betty Speer - August 12th, 1949, Brandon - September 7th, 1988, Ernie - June 30th, 1972

sspeer@online.no

Apostolics in Action, serving with the Speer family in Norway

The Josh Barsotti Family, Josh, Ashleigh, Zion

e-mails: ashleighbarsotti@yahoo.com

001-47-5174-9244 / 001-47-7174-6417

We are primarily located in Tau & Sola-Dale-Naerland. The city has a population of 120,000. Norway has a population of about 4.5 million. The land area is about the size of the state of California. The primary language is Norwegian (bokmal). The main export is oil and Norway is the fourth largest oil producing nation.

The main religion of Norway is Lutheran. At birth, all children are considered to be part of the Lutheran church unless their parents have issued a personal letter to the government stating their desire to withdraw membership.

On the average, the standard of living is high. Norway is one of the richest countries in the world. The economic conditions on the most part are strong but has seen a slight downturn in the past few months. The cost of living is 2-3 times what is average for the United States. Norwegians are a very private, but not unfriendly, people. Getting close to them and winning their confdence takes time, but God is helping us to reach souls for His Kingdom.

There are 30 people currently attending services regularly at our local church, which does not include other outreach stations. The Speers recently purchased property for a headquarters location and Bible training center, to include living quarters for the Speer family; a total of approximately 4 acres. Enrollment in the training center will primarily consist of students from Scandinavia (Europe as a whole) but not limited to this continent. They have interest and contacts as far aways as Ethiopia who will possibly come when the center is opened. The name of the training center is "International School of Ministry" (ISM).

Prior to going to Norway, the Speers pastored in the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee. They founded the work there as a Home Missions outreach and pastored there for almost 10 years.

Their burden and call (in the big picture) is Scandinavia (Norway-Sweden-Denmark). For the past several years their ministry has been in Norway and they feel that this is where the Lord would have them establish the base of the ministry. Their desire is to eventually open up fields of ministry for the gospel in these other countries as well. Through outreach stations, the Lord has opened the doors to minister to people from over 20 different nations and multicultures. The Word of the Lord is being planted in hearts that the Speers may never actually see the harvest from, but they are confident that the Word will not return void, but will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent.

Other family members involved in the work in Norway are: Sister Betty Speer and grandson, Brandon.