Well-known Church Leader and Ecumenist Dead

Headmaster Olle Engstroem passed away suddenly on the morning of December 26, 2004 in France at the age of 83. Olle Engstroem is survived by his wife Margit and their two sons Ulf and Per and their families.

Olle Engstroem’s roots can be found in both the Smaland city of Varnamo and in Hedemora in Dalecarlia. As a child he experienced different aspects of the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden and remained a dedicated and genuine member of this denomination. From the time of his student days he was deeply involved in ecumenical work, both nationally and internationally. In his position as secretary of the free churches’ Student Christian Movement, he participated as a delegate in the World Council of Churches in Evanston, USA in 1954. He quickly gained much trust within the international ecumenical movement and was a delegate of the Executive Committee and Central Committee of the World Council of Churches. He was also active in the international Congregation Council, which merged with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and thus the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden also joined this council. As secretary in the organization which led to the Swedish Free Church Council, Olle Engstroem was active in the Swedish ecumenical work which today is organized in the Christian Council of Sweden (CCS).

He also participated in several assignments commissioned by the State, such as Alva Myrdal’s analysis of the Swedish State Church in 1958.

As an interpreter for foreign speakers at numerous international conferences, as well as in debates and in his decisions, his distinct and charming handling of different languages was a contributing factor to his popularity in many different circles.

There was an air of freshness about Olle Engstroem. Articulate and courageous, he was not afraid to voice his opinions and won the respect of the authorities and people in power. He carefully put the finishing touches on his formulations and arguments. Meticulous preparation paved the way to his easy-going and yet elegant elocution.

Olle Engstroem not only spoke up for the international ecumenical cooperation with the largest and most powerful churches of the World Council of Churches, but also sided with the small minority churches. Clearly and resolutely he spoke his mind and stood his ground. For example, at the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches in Addis Abeba in 1971, he unabashedly criticized the Orthodox Churches for not respecting freedom of religion and human rights. General Secretary Visser’t Hooft immediately moved, without discussion, to record the entire statement in the minutes. In this way, the small sister denominations in the International Federation of Evangelical Churches were protected and recognized as sound and full worthy churches. Olle Engstroem’s brave actions were an important support for the minority churches in Eastern Europe and Greece. But at the same time, his having taken the stand later led to the omission of Engstroem’s name from the ballot for the position of Chairman to the Council of European Churches.

During the years 1962 - 1985 Olle Engstroem was the Headmaster of the Theological Seminary of the Mission Covenant Church. As a leader and teacher he imprinted his unmistakable mark on pastors and colleagues within the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden.

Many also knew Olle Engstroem as an active liberal and broad-minded politician. After his retirement he spent time as a member of the board of the liberal political party “Folkpartiet”.

With Olle Engstroem being Emeritus since 1985, the Engstroems divided their time between their homes in Sommière, France and Stockholm, Sweden. While in Sweden, Olle Engstroem devoted his time to several projects, including the congregation of the Mission Covenant Church at Lidingo, the building of the Ansgar Church, church conferences and other public appearances. Together with Margit he also took the time to contact friends and colleagues, apparently always vigorous and active.

An unusually vivid, well-read, committed and driving leader in the Christian church has left us. The Mission Covenant Church of Sweden thanks God for Olle Engstroem and wishes for peace to his memory. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family.

Krister Andersson
President
Mission Covenant Church of Sweden

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Svenska Missionsforbundet has changed it's Swedish name to Svenska Missionskyrkan. The name change coincides with the 125-year jubilee of the church. The English name remains the same.

In connection with the opening of the 2003 Church Assembly and SMU's
Youth Assembly, the new logo was presented. The symbol is an attempt to
portray the open fellowship bound together by its center, Jesus Christ. If
you're unable to see the symbol above, you'll find it as an enclosed file.

The Mission Covenant Church of Sweden is the third largest church in Sweden
with 64.000 members and 135.000 attendees. SMU, the youth organization of
The Mission Covenant Church of Sweden, currently engages 65.000 children and youths.

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Mission Covenant Church of Sweden
Box 6302
SE-113 81 Stockholm
Sweden
+46-8-15 18 30
+46-8-674 07 93 (fax)
info@missionskyrkan.se