Covenant News

Funeral Service Monday for Gösta Hedberg

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (October 29, 2004) - A funeral service will be conducted Monday for the Rev. Gösta Hedberg, a former president of the Svenska Missionsförbund (the Swedish Mission Covenant Church).

Hedberg, 86, died October 16 following a period of declining health. The funeral service will be held at Immanuelskyrkan (Immanuel Church) in Stockholm at 2 p.m.

Born 1918 in Traryd, Sweden, Hedberg grew up in Strömsnäsbruk. Already as a child at home he was learning what it means to be a "neighbor" to others. His dad was a local police patrolman, and he would sometimes bring home troublemakers. After they had slept off their drunkenness, it was not unusual for them to take their place with the family at the breakfast table.

He completed several evangelism courses as a young man and at age 23 began studying at the Theological Seminary in Lidingö. He continued his education, studying history among other things, and received an honorary doctorate from North Park University.

He was ordained as a pastor in the Svenska Missionsförbund (now Svenska Missionskyrkan) in 1945 and served several local churches throughout Sweden. In 1960 he became secretary for home mission for the national church and in 1972 was called as president of the Svenska Missionsförbund, serving in that calling until his retirement in 1983.

"During his time in the Missionskyrkan´s leadership, he worked to create awareness and to change and adapt the (church's) work in a changed society," states a tribute posted to the national Sweden church's website. "This included, among other things, emphases on church construction and urban ministry. Gösta Hedberg was a strong and well-grounded leader while at the same time showing great care for his fellow workers and the people he met."

He was a strong ecumenist, involved in several interfaith organizations within Sweden and beyond. He had a deep interest in the Mission Church's international work, visiting Ecuador, India, Japan, China and Congo. He was a prolific author of numerous books and articles on many topics related to the Christian faith.

In a letter of condolence to Göran Zettergren, president of Svenska Missionskyrkan, Evangelical Covenant Church President Glenn Palmberg writes, "You have suffered a great loss, but in his life and ministry you have received an even greater gain. He was truly a good and faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ – a strong leader, a wise and caring man.

"His time as president of the Missionsförbund was marked by his vision for change in the church to meet the times in which we live and minister," Palmberg continues. "His vision for God's kingdom was broad and ecumenical. His passion for the good news of new life in Christ supported both mission at home and mission around the world. Our prayers will be with all who knew and loved Gösta Hedberg."

Hedberg is survived by his wife, Margareta, and their children Göran, Eva, and Maria and their families. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family in care of the Missionskyrkan national office at Svenska Missionskyrkan, Box 6302, 113 81 Stockholm, Sweden.

(Editor's note: appreciation is extended to Sally Johnson in the ECC president's office for her assistance in translating much of the information from Swedish language sources.)

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