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The Vikings are coming!

(And they’re bringing a ship!)

In an exciting development for the 2012 Olympic outreach, YWAM Norway has managed to rent a replica Viking ship to spearhead their Olympic outreach effort next summer. The ship, named Åsa, looks like a traditional Viking ship, and will be crewed by real Norwegians in replica Viking costumes!

The plan is that the ship will sail from Oslo to Newcastle (one of the Olympic host cities) in July next year, and there will be a grand reception on Sunday 29 July 2012 in the city centre. While the ship will undoubtedly cause something of a stir on arrival, it will also be at the heart of YWAM Norway’s evangelism in the city. As well as hosting seminars, lectures and social events together with local churches, the ship will give a focal point for the 1,000 people that YWAM Norway hopes to bring to Newcastle for the outreach.

Historically in the UK, Viking ships are often linked to negative images of impending destruction. But Viking ships have been used for positive things too, as Kay Morten Åarskog, centre director at YWAM Borgen in the north of Norway, comments:

“One thousand years ago, King Olav sailed from England to Norway to take the throne and brought the Gospel with him,” Kay continues. “As a result of his and two more kings’ efforts, Christianity re-shaped the world-view of the Vikings and has become the foundations of the Nordic nations.

“Now we want to come to England in the opposite spirit to that of some of the Vikings, to say thank you for your part in bringing the gospel to us and to bless you in return.”

The idea of a Viking ship sailing to the Olympic outreach arose in typical YWAM fashion. Kay continues: “In many ways, the whole project started in a classic YWAM way – with a vision of a map! In my vision, I saw a map of Europe, with young people walking from Northern Europe to the rest of Europe, imparting the gospel and Christian values in all spheres of life and society. And the first step to see this happen was sailing a Viking ship from Norway to England to learn from history how it happened the first time around.”

As Kay shared his vision with others, so the leadership of YWAM Norway shared about taking 1,000 young people from Norway to England for the Olympic 2012 outreach through Mission Adventures, a short-term outreach ministry.

The two visions converged, and after negotiations with the ship owners, the Viking ship has became the figurehead of the whole YWAM Norway 2012 Olympic outreach effort.

YWAM Norway is looking for partners in this project – in prayer, through giving, or even by joining the outreach. To find out more, contact Kay on kay.aarskog@gmail.com or visit www.oliengland.no. CLICK HERE to download a pdf brochure about the Viking ship project.