Mega-church pastor who became Catholic: “So much started to make sense”

The Deacons Bench ^ | July 9, 2015 | Deacon Greg Kandra

[NYer]

Some readers may remember the post about Ulf Ekman, a prominent Evangelical pastor who stunned the world when he announced last year he was becoming Catholic.

Now, an update, The National Catholic Register:

On March 9, 2014, Ulf Ekman, founder and pastor of Word of Life church in Uppsala, Sweden, shocked his congregation with the announcement that he and his wife, Birgitta, were leaving Word of Life to join the Catholic Church. The Ekmans’ decision created a commotion, not only among the Protestant faithful, but even throughout decidedly secular Sweden.

The Ekmans will present their story at the “Defending the Faith Conference” July 24-26 at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.

What were your thoughts while walking out of Word of Life church after announcing your decision to join the Catholic Church?

This is hard to describe in a few words. We started, built and developed this ministry; and for over 30 years, I was its pastor. We knew that, taking this step, we naturally would have to leave all of this. The sadness of some of our very, very good friends, staff and members made it difficult. But we trusted that the new leadership would be able to take it further, and we also trusted that this was all in God’s hands. Over and above all these things, there was a deep sense of peace and direction in our hearts.

You said that, with your reception into the Church on May 21, 2014, you and your wife felt that you were “becoming who we really were.” What did you mean?

It was a real experience for us. It was like several missing pieces fell into place, and so much started to make sense. There was a deep sense of “arriving” that came to us.

It has been just over a year since you and your wife were received into the Church. Can you share a little about the highs and lows of the past year?

It has been a wonderful year that we will never forget as long as we live. We feel very much at home in the Church and are grateful to the Lord. It has also been an intense year, due to the ongoing media coverage in Scandinavia. We have gained some wonderful new friends, but, like Blessed John Henry Newman said, it has also been a time of “parting of friends.”

The media coverage has been an ordeal?

Yes, as I mentioned, it has been quite intense. But we anticipated that. Sweden used to be a staunch Protestant nation but is today one of the most secular nations in the world, so you can image the questions and the reactions.

Read it all. 

[NYer]

Ping!

[Ann Archy]

FABULOUS!!

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

There are stories like this going both directions. For me, Catholicism seems like a whole other religion. I’m not saying Catholics are not Christians, but I am saying when they are, it is in spite of their Church, not because of it.

[Dr. Thorne]

What a steaming load.

[muir_redwoods]

big endians vs little endians.

[Resolute Conservative]

Was the Word of Life a prosperity gospel church like Osteen? If so, it is a step in the right direction.

[NYer]

No.

[Alex Murphy]

Oh look, it’s another hate-filled anti-Protestant thread!

[SaveFerris]

[so much started to make sense]

Oh yeah, like 841. OWR here we come.

[Old Sarge]

This is thread stalking. Knock it off.

[fwdude]

There are at least 5 stories of Catholic conversions to evangelical Christianity for every one of these, IMO.

[Craigon]

Looks like World Life is part of prosperity movement form some googles.

So he’s still moving in the wrong direction. Too bad.

I have yet to hear anyone form either misguided un-biblical movement (Catholicism or Prosperity) show me where J.M.’s studies and sermons on those topics are biblical in error. These links are always good for generating some ruffle feathers and temper tantrums...

http://www.gty.org/resources/sermon-series/296/explaining-the-heresy-of-catholicism

“Praying to Mary, celebrating the Mass, venerating the Pope—you won’t find those doctrines in the Bible. And yet more than one billion Roman Catholics throughout the world follow such practices in line with the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. “

http://www.gty.org/resources/sermon-series/33/unmasking-the-prosperity-gospel?Term=Prosperity

[Alex Murphy]

This is thread stalking. Knock it off.

Don't hate me because I'm Protestant!

[tioga]

For us, the great, beautiful and exciting discovery was the historicity, authenticity, authority and sacramental life of the Church. It overwhelmed us! To cradle Catholics, we would say, “Please don’t get used to the Mass; see the great gift the Lord has given us in the Church — our God coming to us on the altar. What amazing love: that he gives himself to us continually!” ....great testimony.

[Ken H]

big endians vs little endians.

That cracked me up.

[Old Sarge]

Basically...

[verga]

Please cite specific examples of this “Hate” that you claim to see.

[Mr Rogers]

Hmmm... a “Word of Faith” preacher:

“The basic doctrine preached is that of wealth and health through positive confession...Word of Faith teaching holds that God wants his people to be financially prosperous, as well as have good health, good marriages and relationships, and to live generally prosperous lives.” - Wiki

Might be more accurate to say a phoney preacher preaching lies in Sweden has now become a Catholic.

[Mad Dawg]

Yeah, like the gentle and parliamentary post #5.