Lasting Faith Leaders Conference

How do we give our children lasting faith?

How Christian leaders can form children with a resilient, lasting faith in Jesus in the midst of aggressive secular cultural formation.

What we can learn about Discipling the Next Generation from timely Research Insights.

Hånes Free Evangelical Lutheran Church
Kristiansand, Norway
11th of June 2025, 09:00 – 21:30 CET

Program

Part 1: THE WHY
WHY forming lasting faith? Is this important for us as leaders – really?

Matt Markins, Øivind Augland, Anne Lene Otterøen

Part 2: CULTURE
Understanding the culture of today and the impact on forming faith. How does culture and contemporary trends influence children and youth? What about faith and values? What characterizes generation Z and Alpha? What is important to them, and what are their struggles and issues?

Mark Sayers, Matt Markins, Professor Lars Dahle and PhD Rune Zahl Olsen.

Part 3: RESEARCH SPEAK
Research from Norway and Europe. Christian researchers share findings related to when, what and who is forming faith. What can research learn us about discipleship of children and youth in families and churches.

Jo Haaijer and PhD Candidate Andreas Bjørntvedt

Part 4: THE FUTURE CHURCH
The future church culture in forming lasting faith. Mark Sayers: What will the future church look like?

Mark Sayers. Response from Norwegian and European church leaders.

Part 5: BEST PRACTICE
Explore best practices of lifelong discipleship today. Examples from local churches and organizations in Norway and Europe. Stories and testimonies. Armchair conversation with Mark Sayers. Commitment to lifelong discipleship.

Final challenge from Matt Markins

Speaker

Matt Markins

Matt serves as the President and CEO of Awana. As a leading researcher in child discipleship and children’s ministry, Matt has commissioned eleven research projects since 2013, including a study conducted by Barna Group called, Children’s Ministry in a New Reality. He is the author or co-author of four books, most notably The Faith of Our Children: Eight Timely Research Insights for Discipling the Next Generation and RESILIENT: Child Discipleship and the Fearless Future of the Church. Co-founder of the Child Discipleship Forum and D6 Conference. Matt and his wife Katie have been involved in children’s ministry for more than 25 years and spend their time in Nashville, USA with their sons.

Mark Sayers

MARK SAYERS is a cultural commentator, writer and speaker, who is highly sought out for his unique and perceptive insights into faith and contemporary culture. Mark is the author of a number of books, including “How a Changing and Complex World will Create a Remnant of Renewed Christian Leaders“, «The Trouble with Paris» and «The Vertical Self.» Mark Sayers is the Lead Pastor of Red Church in Melbourne, Australia. He is passionate about spiritual renewal and the future of the church. Lives in Melbourne, Australia with his family.

Anne Lene Otterøen

Anne Lene Otterøen is the leader of Awana Norway and Europe. She has been central in the work of establishing Awana in Norway, an initiative that has led to Awana now being used in about 200 Norwegian churches and congregations. She is leading the establishment of Awana in Europe. Anne Lene is a trained nurse and family therapist, and is also a pastor at ImF Fredheim Arena, Sandnes. She lives in Sandnes with her family.

Jo Haaiijer

Jo Haaiijer is the European leader of One Hope. “Vision 2033” is One Hope’s international strategic plan to catalyze a movement that engages every child in every generation with Jesus through the Bible. Jo Haaiijer is involved in various research projects related to faith development among children and young people, as well as the role of parents and the family in children’s development of faith and values. Jo lives in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, with her family.

Øivind Augland

Øivind Augland is the founder and visionary leader of M4 Europe, which works to establish new congregations across Europe as well as internationally. Øivind is the CEO of Xpand Norway, where he works closely with senior leaders as a personal coach, and has contributed to leadership training and strategy development in several large organizations and companies. Director of Hånes Free Evangelical Lutheran Church. Graduated in theology from Ansgar University College. Lives outside Kristiansand, Norway with his family.@

Rune Zahl-Olsen

Rune Zahl-Olsen has a PhD in family relations and is director of the research and development unit at the Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health at Sørlandet Sykehus HF. He has published over 20 peer-reviewed articles, and is the author of several chapters in professional books as well as two of his own books. He is trained pastor in the Norwegian Mission Church and as a family therapist. Rune and his wife have been regional leaders for family focus since 2011 and are supervisors for students at Advanced Family Studies at the University of the Nations and family therapy students at the University of Agder and ViD.

Lars Dahle

Having a long experience in various academic leadership roles, Lars now works as Associate Professor in Systematic Theology and Christian Apologetics at NLA University College Gimlekollen Campus, Norway) and Director of Damaris Norway. Lars is also the Lausanne Catalyst for Media Engagement, working globally with Christian media practitioners, church, mission and youth ministry leaders, and Christian academic colleagues to provide relevant research, resources, and training for the global church. Lars co-leads the European Leadership Forum Media Communicators Network with his wife and colleague, Margunn Serigstad Dahle.

Andreas Bjørntvedt

Andreas Bjørntvedt Andreas is a trained theologian and pastor at Fredheim Arena Church. He is working on a PhD in theology exploring the connection between early influence and established faith among adults aged 30 – 40 at ViD University of Applied Sciences in Norway.

Practical information

Venue:

Hånes frikirke,
Hånesveien 101, 4635 Kristiansand, Norway
10 km from the bus and train station in Kristiansand city.
Website for conference location:
https://haanesfrikirke.no