The Finnish Lutheran Overseas Mission (FLOM)

The Finnish Lutheran Overseas Mission’s Strategy for 2007-2010

FLOM – The Sower The Finnish Lutheran Overseas Mission (FLOM) takes its Finnish name, the Sower, from Jesus;
“The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world.” Matt. 13:37-38.

FLOM was founded in 1974 following a revival of mission among students in the sixties.
As an official missionary organisation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. FLOM promotes the spreading of God’s Kingdom especially in areas, where there is little or no Christians or Churches.

FLOM is committed to a holistic view of missions which entails both the proclamation of the Gospel and services which aim at the improvement of the communities’ life and at sustainable development.
FLOM is financed through three sources: private donations, congregational grants and government grants for development programs. Around Finland, there are groups of mission friends who support the work of missionaries financially and prayerfully and by keeping in touch. FLOM also makes agreements with local Lutheran congregations whereby the congregation supports one or several missionaries or programmes. Grants for some development projects are provided by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Principles
- Acknowledgement of Jesus as the sole Saviour of the world
- Call to obey the Great Commission and to follow Jesus by pursuing the way of the Cross
- Belief in man’s total corruption and grateful trust in God’s grace through Jesus Christ
- Acknowledgement of Christianity’s Jewish roots in our interpretation of the Bible and in our mission
- Commitment to the Bible as our authority and appreciation of the Lutheran Confession
- Trust in God’s guidance
- Anticipation of Christ’s return
- Appreciation of the priesthood of all believers
- Church planting in regions, where the name of Christ is not known
- Love and respect for all men as God’s creations regardless of age, sex and religious, social, cultural or racial background
- Partnership in the heritage of world evangelical Christian mission
- Willingness for co-operation with others without compromising our own calling and vision

Activities
FLOM has currently about 50 workers in Asia, East-Africa and Eastern Europe. The majority work in Asia. FLOM also gives training to tentmakers. The organisation co-operates with local Lutheran churches and with other missions as well as takes part in the work of international Christian organisations overseas.

Bangladesh
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bangladesh, a fruit of FLOM’s work in the country, has 15 fully functional congregations and 5 chapel congregations working towards full congregational status. The ELCB has about 700 baptised members. The Church employs one pastor, three evangelists and a part-time ladies’ worker. Besides supporting the Church FLOM is involved in community development work in the north-western part of the country through a local NGO with over a hundred national staff.

Japan
FLOM has continued its co-operation with the West-Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church since 1974. Currently an expatriate is involved in teaching at WJELC Seminary and Bible College. 

Work among Mongol peoples

In Eastern Siberia FLOM’s activities have centred around the Evangelical-Lutheran congregation in the Buryatian capital Ulan-Ude in co-operation with the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Ingria. FLOM is also supporting a community development project in the form of wool processing courses through a local Foundation in the Horn province.

In Mongolia FLOM co-operates with the Lutheran Sain Medee congregation in Ulaanbaatar and with the Lutheran Hairin Medee Congregation in Arhangai. FLOM has implemented many development projects in the region which are funded by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Currently FLOM is working with four different projects in Mongolia. 

Work among Jews

In Israel FLOM co-operates with the Caspari Center in Jerusalem. The Center publishes literature and provides training for the needs of the local Messianic congregations.
In St. Petersburg, Russia, a Messianic Lutheran Congregation, which has been named St. John the Baptist, has been established through the work.
In Odessa, Ukraine FLOM co-operates with the Jews for Jesus – organization.

Work among Muslims

Central Asia

The country is recuperating from wars and instability. FLOM works in co-operation with an international Christian NGO. FLOM has received funds from the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs for projects which have been designed to develop the society.

Asia Minor

FLOM has supported the activities of the Istanbul Lutheran Congregation. The acquisition of suitable premises is presently their greatest challenge. FLOM also gives support to a sister church of ILC in Peshtera, Bulgaria.

FLOM has recently initiated work in a new area by sending workers to do language study and field surveys. This has been done in co-operation with other Christian NOG’s in the area. 

East - Africa
FLOM’s activities have been concentrated on the Oromo and Muslim regions in South East Ethiopia. FLOM takes part in the evangelistic work, health care and training projects in the area.

Tentmaking
FLOM organizes a training course for mission every year. Training and equipping tentmakers is part of the vision of FLOM.