o
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR KALEVI LEHTINEN
Michael Agricola Church August 28, 2011
Dear friends of Kalevi Lehtinen.
You are most heartily welcome today to the Agricola Church.
My name is Terhi Paananen. I'm a daughter of Kalevi Lehtinen.
I welcome you all to this memorial service.
My father, Kalevi Lehtinen, was a future-oriented person.
Therefore he emphasized the future aspect even in the funerals.
His eyes were turned to heaven.
He usually regarded funerals as joyful events.
I hope that in this memorial service -
there would be space not only for mourning but also for joy, -
for tears and laughter, for memories and expectancy.
On armo suuri, ihmeinen
Se muutti sydämen
Mä kuuro, sokea
Sain ihmeen kokea
Nyt kuulla, nähdä voin
Tää armo poisti tuomion
Toi armon tuntohon
Sen hetken muistan ain
Kun Herran armon sain
Nyt siihen luotan vain
On siellä juhla voittajain
Ja päivä kestää ain
Kun vuosituhannen
Soi laulu pyhien
Se alkusoitto vain
Let's stand up to honor the memory of beloved Kalevi Lehtinen -
with a moment of silence.
Please be seated.
Let's start with prayer.
Heavenly Father, we thank You, that we are able to be here together -
to thank You for our beloved brother -
and to ask You for comfort.
Lord, we thank You for Kalevi.
Lord, when You took Kalevi, -
many of us felt, that we lost a loved one and an encourager.
Lord, encourage us like You encouraged Joshua, -
when You took Moses to be with You.
You said to Joshua: -
"Moses, my servant is dead."
"You will lead Israel across the Jordan River."
"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you."
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified," -
"do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God, will be with you."
Our Savior, we thank You for the life and work of Kalevi.
Thank You for his example, courage, encouragement, -
for all his magnificient service that has blessed us.
Bless us, so that each and every of us -
will courageously, just as Kalevi did, tell about You, -
so that we would not be ashamed of Your name -
but would courageously tell about You, even to the ends of the earth.
Bless Kalevi's beloved ones, family and friends, -
spouse Leena, children, grandchildren, family members.
Amen.
On behalf of us, hosts, we want to welcome you.
In this 3-hour service there are 6 hosts in 3 pairs.
My name is Matti Kari.
I'm evangelist of the Finnish Lutheran Mission from Seinäjoki.
My name is Danielle Miettinen, a journalist from Riihimäki.
The second part will be hosted by Hannu and Maija Nyman.
The third part will be hosted by Kalle Vaismaa and Kirsi Rostamo.
They are over there.
The service will be approximately 3 hours in length.
There are refreshments downstairs during the whole service.
You are welcome to go there at any given time during this service.
We won't have pauses. There will be some movement all the time, -
but whenever you wish, you can go downstairs for refreshments.
Most of us have memories of Kalevi.
Friends will now share personal testimonials -
of what Kalevi meant in their life.
I had an opportunity to be in Seinäjoki -
and join Kalevi's last mission early July.
He had some speaker events after that, but that was the last mission
We were together inviting people to Jesus.
It was an encouragement to me, -
that Kalevi courageously invited people to Jesus.
It was his trademark. Our duty is to carry on this message.
Some have asked, who will take his place.
We can answer with the words of Billy Graham.
He was asked in a big evangelism convention in Amsterdam, -
who will take Graham's place, when he's gone.
He lifted his hand and said: "They will carry on the work."
Thousands and thousands of evangelists. The same with us.
You and I will continue the good work of Kalevi Lehtinen -
and carry on the message of Jesus.
He always emphasized, that we, ordinary people, are evangelists -
and witnesses to Christ.
In the last years he used to say that the grass-root Christians -
are the evangelists of our days.
Now we invite the first ones, who bring greetings.
I invite Teuvo Riikonen, Arto Valkeapää and Antero Laukkanen.
Please step forward.
Teuvo, you are the principal of Savonlinna Christian College, -
a writer and a priest.
You were jogging with Kalevi in a snowstorm some 15 years ago.
Would you tell us, why has this stuck in your mind.
I had met Kalevi in Vivamo Bible Conference 15 years ago in 1980.
During that run in the snowstorm -
I got to know Kalevi better in an hour than in the previous 15 years.
We went through the whole theology and church history.
But the main thing that stuck in my mind that night -
was that hardly no one has ever encouraged me more as a writer -
than Kalevi during our run.
In every piece of my writing there is Kalevi's encouragement.
The second memory is from the time 10 years ago.
Kalevi visited our college. He spoke to 7 students.
I watched him teaching and thought to myself: -
"Here we have a man who has preached to hundreds of thousands."
"Now he speaks to those 7 with the same kind of passion" -
"as he would speak to the entire world."
It reflected his calling and humility.
The third one is from an evangelist convention five years ago.
There were about 70 evangelists.
I taught from the book of Jonah.
One thing marked Kalevi off from others.
He was the only one who took notes.
Maybe the others felt it wasn't worthwhile to take notes.
Kalevi was 70 years old, 25 years older than me.
I remember his enthusiasm.
I remember thinking, this was the secret to his evangelism.
He wasn't a perfect evangelist. Therefore he still took notes.
When I heard he had passed away, I cried and realized, -
now he has reached the perfection as an evangelist.
Arto Valkeapää from Parikkala -
is the manager of Oronmylly recreation center.
You have a long history with Kalevi. How long?
From the 1980's.
Share with us, what did Kalevi mean for you?
What comes to my mind is a passage from the 2nd Corinthians.
"For Christ's love compels us"
Kalevi used to say: "Christ's love motivates us".
For me he was a man, whose motivation was Christ's love.
Jesus and His help was answer to everything.
Please go on.
Kalevi was an important person for me in the missions.
We started them after Helsinki Mission.
The first mission I worked with him was in Jyväskylä.
I estimated that we had together 15 to 20 missions.
Some have had more, but I'm grateful for these.
I learned to know Kalevi during a jog.
I also have wonderful memories of meals together, also with Leena.
He was a man of popular movement.
His motto was: -
"The whole Gospel with the whole force of Christ's body," -
"to the whole population, with the whole power of Holy Spirit."
It became crystallized in the E4 evangelism conference.
We were given a task together.
Kalevi stuck with the principle -
that he won't renounce any of his brothers or sisters, -
who believe in Christ.
Sometimes this lead to problems, -
but the payoff was even greater.
He was a bridge builder.
In many conflicts he was in the background, -
because he didn't renounce either of the troublemakers.
He was able to convey Christ's love.
I remember prayer meetings. We prayed for each other's families.
I will pray for Kalevi's family.
Antero Mooses Laukkanen, -
you are the pastor of the Lighthouse Church in Espoo -
and Kalevi's and Leena's longtime dear friend.
You had a vision of one million souls at the end of 90's.
This lead you to take contact to a man you didn't know at that time.
Could you please share with us, what happened after that.
I met Kalevi first in the prayer room of the Finnish Parliament.
I invited him there.
He was on his way from Germany. He agreed to drop by.
We went to the prayer room of the Parliament House.
I started to share my vision, my nightly dream, with him.
In the dream I stood in heaven with multitudes of people.
There was a people group with "Finland" knit hats on their head.
I asked to the person next to me, who are these people.
I was told, that these are the Finns, the million souls, -
that will be saved in the last great revival.
When I shared this with Kalevi, he began to cry.
I was wondering, what happened.
When Kalevi lifted up his head, he looked at me and smiled.
He said: "Finally someone as crazy as me."
After this we were connected by a million Finnish souls.
In the funeral, when I looked at the beautiful flower arrangement -
on his casket, there were four shovels in the sand.
The realization went through me like an electric shock.
The shovels in the sand shouted at us at the evangelist's voice: -
"Why are you mourning and crying? The work must go on."
Leena, we carry on together, until we see the great harvest.
Kalevi is my inspiration. I miss him dearly.
Now I don't have anyone, whom I could phone up, -
so I call you, Leena.
Thank you, gentlemen.
Pekka Simojoki is a musician well-known to all of us.
He worked together with Kalevi for a long time, -
alone or with his band, Exit.
We have an opportunity to hear one of his songs.
If you would like to share a memory of Kalevi, please do so.
Someone asked me, if I have spiritual fathers.
Usually I mention two names.
One is the pastor of International Church, Loiz Schwanz.
His door was always open. There was always some poor wanderer.
The second name is Kalevi.
When I was a student, I sat at his feet many times.
I learned from him the difference between faith and religion.
Over the years I joined Kalevi in many events, -
including his last mission in Seinäjoki.
I suggest we are looking back -
at the most significant leader in the Finnish Church -
in the past 50 years.
Some newspaper suggested -
he was an influential leader in church's margins.
I asked myself, where is the church.
I have plenty of memories.
One memory is from the Rovaniemi mission.
The police told us, that Satanist were planning disturbance.
My band Exit was going to play. Kalevi was going to speak.
We were a bit terrified. Kalevi said: "There's a cure. Let's pray."
We prayed. They didn't show up.
Kalevi's daughter Terhi asked me to sing this song.
She said Kalevi loved it. Please feel free to sing along.
I have started to write a new song for Kalevi.
Maybe you'll hear it later, if I'm able to finish it.
One name above all names
One name unchanging
One name above all names
Only one name is our hope
The name I sing about is Jesus
The most beautiful name under the sun
Only in His name
Grace is bestowed upon us
Only in His name is dominion and power
In heaven and earth
One name above all names
One name unchanging
One name above all names
Only one name is our hope
The name I sing about is Jesus
The most beautiful name under the sun
Only in His name
His name is the reason I sing
Only in His name the heaven is open
All the riches are hidden in this name
One name above all names
One name unchanging
One name above all names
Only one name is our hope
The name I sing about is Jesus
The most beautiful name under the sun
Only in His name
Stands a cross-shaped tree
In His name God is here
All knees shall bow down
One name above all names
One name unchanging
One name above all names
Only one name is our hope
The name I sing about is Jesus
The most beautiful name under the sun
One name above all names
One name unchanging
One name above all names
Only one name is our hope
The name I sing about is Jesus
The most beautiful name under the sun
It's a joy for us to introduce three gentlemen, -
Riku Rinne, Eero Junkkaala and Pekka Huokuna.
Let's start with Riku Rinne.
Riku Rinne is a youth worker.
He has visited schools meeting young people in Finland.
I admire you for your work.
You have written a book, Evangelist's Testament, with Kalevi
What did Kalevi Lehtinen mean to you?
Kalevi Lehtinen was one of the two spiritual fathers in my life
The first was David Wilkerson, the other one was Kalevi Lehtinen.
It has been a very sad year, -
because both of my spiritual fathers went home.
I feel like orphaned.
Surely Leena shares this feeling.
I felt orphaned, when Kalevi went home.
As we heard from Laukkanen's testimonial, -
now it's time to put everything Kalevi taugh us in practice.
The closest connection I had with Kalevi -
was when we worked with the book Evangelist's Testament.
I saw deep into Kalevi's heart.
The most important memory I have -
is how I tried to get Kalevi share with me, -
how we should receive the baton, -
that he'd like to hand over to us.
For a while Kalevi was silent. He looked at me and said: -
"I don't know how to hand over a baton."
"In front of God I feel, that I give myself totally to you."
For me this reflects Kalevi's heart.
He gives everything he has in front of God.
He wants to give himself to God's universal church, -
so that we would be able serve God to the end.
Or like Billy Graham said, "Until Jesus returns".
Until then, let's work with every- thing we have, let's work together.
Eero Junkkaala works in Finland for Evangelical Lutheran Mission.
You have known Kalevi since the 1960's.
You were a young believer and Kalevi studied theology.
Kalevi became your spiritual role model.
Tell us, why.
I was a young believer in high school.
As a university student Kalevi was already a well-known speaker.
He spoke at an evangelistic campaign in Lempäälä.
The second time we met was years and years later -
in Helsinki in the bus line 14.
He asked: "How is Timo? I met the two of you in Lempäälä."
He had an exceptionally good memory.
I admired him from the beginning.
It was the first time I saw someone walk up front -
and give their live to Jesus, following Kalevi's invitation.
I have admired his gifts, humility, integrity, -
exceptionally good eloquence and his focus on Jesus.
I share one recent memory with you.
We were having a coffee break at some meeting.
I poured out my heart to Kalevi.
I was burdened by Christian relationships.
There were many arguments between Christians, -
and everyone had strong foundations for their points of view.
He said: "Love, too, is a theological foundation."
Pekka Huokuna is a member of Evangelical Lutheran Church Council
You were the Priest of the year 2008.
In the Church Council -
you are responsible for evangelism, among many other things.
You have arranged evangelism conferences.
How did Kalevi influence your life?
The memories I'd like to share involve evangelism conferences -
occurring every other year in the past 7 years.
Kalevi Lehtinen participated in each conference -
as a speaker or as a listener taking notes.
The preacher who traveled the world and spoke in big stadiums -
always found a spot in his calendar for these events.
He encouraged many by sharing his thoughts -
in the platform, corridors and by a cup of coffee.
In the conference this spring I had a chance to interview him.
Kalevi shared his thoughts about his experiences and work.
He had many fascinating thoughts.
Yet, more than thoughts, I remember something else.
Often when we talk about evangelism, -
our thoughts turn to things.
I'm not against it. The Gospel is the most important thing.
The Gospel is more than a thing, -
more than doctrine, history or theory.
When Kalevi Lehtinen talked about the Gospel, -
he talked about Jesus.
He reminded us that the Gospel is a message about living Jesus, -
Jesus, who we can meet in our daily life.
It's not important, how much we are able to believe, -
but in who we believe.
The foundation of the Christian Church -
is that God has not left or forsaken us.
We can put our trust in Jesus who is alive today.
He is with His own every day, as He promises in the Word.
Kalevi Lehtinen unweariedly called people to meet this Savior.
Now the Savior has called him to be with Him.
The work must be carried on.
The voice of the Gospel must be heard.
People still need to hear the Gospel, -
the message that says "Jesus lives".
The memory of Kalevi Lehtinen encourages us -
to carry on Jesus' words, "I am resurrection and life".
We'll see two video greetings.
Seppo Häkkinen, bishop of the Diocese of Mikkeli, -
and Jukka Keskitalo, head of office, bring their greetings.
Family and friends of Kalevi Lehtinen, -
sisters and brothers in Christ.
Life is not disposable.
Life doesn't end at the point, when our earthly calling ends.
We were created for the eternity, -
where the connection between the Creator and creation comes true.
These words of Kalevi Lehtinen have come to fruition in his own life.
His earthly task has come to end.
Life goes on there where the connection between God and people -
comes to perfection.
The redemptive work and resurrection of Jesus -
is the witness of the hope of the reunion and the eternal life.
I knew Kalevi Lehtinen as a man, who like apostle Paul, -
couldn't be disobedient unto the heavenly vision.
It came forward in the meetings and discussions I had with him.
He was obedient unto his calling as an evangelist.
When I heard the news about Kalevi Lehtinen's departure, -
the words from Revelation came across my mind: -
"Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life."
Kalevi Lehtinen was priest of Finnish evangelical Lutheran Church
According to estimations -
he was internationally the most famous Finnish priest.
His ministry influenced notably -
not only the Finnish church, but also many other churches, -
here in Finland as well as abroad.
The Gospel crosses denominational borders.
Above all Kalevi Lehtinen's influence -
can be seen in the people who he introduced to Jesus.
Kalevi Lehtinen's earthly life and task have come to end.
Our life and task go on.
Life is not disposable.
Life doesn't end at the point, when our earthly calling ends.
We were created for the eternity, -
where the connection between the Creator and creation comes true.
His words convey a mandate to us.
I want to share three key points which are relevant to our church -
and evangelism in our day.
First of all, every human being in the world has a right -
to turn to Jesus and to be saved.
We as God's children are not allowed to take this right away.
On the contrary, our task is to offer the words of life -
and to witness that God's grace and love belong to everyone.
Secondly, we need to remember, that pluralistic society -
consists of equally valued individuals.
If we as Christians let our identity dissolve in the world -
and become pluralistic, God's blessings will not be passed on -
to our society.
Therefore it is important to believe, -
that only Jesus can save us.
Thirdly, it is important to trust in God's Word -
and to preach the Gospel of the cross.
We need Christians who won't be ashamed of the Gospel.
The Gospel must be preached courageously and uncompromisingly.
Kalevi Lehtinen's life and ministry calls us to this task.
Blessed be his memory.
My first memory of Kalevi is from year 1989.
In that year there was a mission in Jyväskylä.
I was a young priest in Jyväskylä. I absorbed influence.
We held 4 evangelical events in the convention center.
Each night there were 4000 - 5000 people.
It had a big impact. Kalevi preached as a Lutheran evangelist.
He preached the simplified Gospel message.
It was easy to receive.
I was impressed by one thing.
Even though you sat in the back pews of the big arena, -
you had the impression that Kalevi spoke directly to you.
Then 15 years later we had a mission in Jyväskylä 2007.
I was in a new position as a vicar.
Kalevi had grown older.
I felt that his preaching had become more gentle -
and understanding.
The Gospel was simple. It was impressive.
The listeners represented a wide ecumenical range.
Kalevi had a huge effect on the Lutheran Church.
He has been a model for a Lutheran preacher -
and a Lutheran evangelist. We haven't had too many of those.
His enduring mark on the life of the church -
is his emphasis, that the gospel must be preached personally, -
so that a person can form a personal relationship to it.
Kalevi's legacy has a growing impact in the future.
The transition of faith in families becomes weaker.
Faith becomes even more a personally absorbable matter.
Kalevi's message and legacy are therefore very important.
I think with a grateful mind Kalevi's life and ministry.
We, who carry it on, must continue it.
We heard words of encouragement.
I have an honor to invite pastor of Salem Church, Klaus Korhonen, -
representing pentecostal church.
In 2000 you put on a brave act.
You invited a Lutheran provost to be the main speaker -
in the European pentecostal conference.
Why did you choose Kalevi?
There was a pentecostal conference in Helsinki 2000.
Our Salem Church was one of the organizers.
The speakers included many leaders, such as Reinhard Bonnke.
We felt that we needed a witness of the Christian fellowship.
We thought that if we had a speaker from a more official direction, -
it could sound like ecumenical monk Latin to us.
Kalevi spoke the same language as we, pentecostals.
He spoke about winning the souls and becoming a Christian.
He talked about Jesus and about the Holy Spirit.
Some of the pentecostal leaders pityingly asked us, -
didn't we have any pentecostal evangelists in Finland -
because we had invited a Lutheran provost to speak.
When Kalevi ministered and spoke as one of the main speakers, -
everyone agreed, that he was a man, who knows God.
When I think of Kalevi's tireless labor in evangelism, -
the reason for his enthusiasm became clear to me -
in the words from the book of Daniel.
"The people who know their God shall be strong," -
"and carry out great exploits."
Kalevi knew God, who searches for the lost, -
God, whose heart is wider than our hearts.
He left a clear pattern of a person, who knows God.
I want to thank Kalevi's family -
for giving us Kalevi's time. You let him extend his blessing -
to pentecostal churches and to other denominations.
How pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Let's stand up and sing together a hymn.
My debt has been paid
Praise be to the One, who was crucified
Your Spirit is my strength
Praise be to the One, who was crucified
My home is by You
Praise be to the One, who was crucified
Let me introduce Kalevi's daughter, Terhi Paananen.
Terhi works at the Church Council.
The Church Council is well represented here.
What exactly is your task in the council?
I'm social media education planner.
I plan education for the church staff -
on how they can use social media in their work.
Did Kalevi ask your advise?
I taught him how to use Facebook.
You were closer to Kalevi than perhaps any of us.
You certainly have many memories. Share some of them with us.
It's wonderful to hear memories of father.
Memories carry us in the coming years, -
not only us as a family, but also many of you.
Our view on father is a bit different -
compared to the ones we have heard of.
From close, father seemed a bit different, -
but not essentially different.
The features we've heard, his uncompromising honesty, -
sense of humor, his caring and encouraging spirit -
were present when he was at home. It was genuine.
When I was a teenager, someone asked me -
what I think about my dad being such a good lecturer.
I answered "I don't like him lecturing at home."
The fact is, he didn't lecture us.
It was just a witty answer I came up with.
Dad liked to discuss things through with a sense of humor.
The turning points in our family often occurred -
with the turning points in dad's working life.
The most significant turning point in our family life -
was in 1966-67.
Father and mother were called to join Campus Crusade for Christ.
In 1967 we moved as a family to America.
We, children, were then 7, 5 and 1 years of age.
We were in America for almost a year.
We lived in California and Florida.
The year left us, the children, deep marks, in a positive way.
We became internationally oriented from the bottom of our hearts.
Perhaps the most important thing during this year -
was that dad's vision became clear.
Along the vision a thing called the circle of senders came to our life
It came into each of our lives.
How many of you are part of the circle of senders? Wonderful.
How many of you were involved, when the circle was founded -
late 1960's, early 1970's?
I see some hands. Great!
For those who don't know what it is, -
the circle of senders is a group of people, -
who committed to pray for my parents' work -
and to support them financially with monthly donations.
I have often admired and wondered the courage -
my parents must have had, when they left financial security -
and threw themselves to be dependent -
on people's prayers and donations.
You, each of the senders, were very important to us as a family.
We talked of you, we prayed for you, -
we wrote letters to you.
The letter was sent out once a month.
It was always a special endeavor for dad.
He planned carefully what to write and chose the photos -
even the caricatures. Every piece of writing was thought over.
In the beginning there were only a few dozen senders.
In the beginning of the 1970's there were over 100 senders.
Things were different back then.
There weren't copy machines.
Each month we took the letter to a print shop to be printed.
After that it was posted.
Nowadays it is easy to print labels and letters with a printer.
Back then we had to write the addresses by hand.
When I was 11, I was assigned to write the addresses, -
because my handwriting was at least somehow readable.
My reward was 4 pennies per envelope.
Quite many years, nearly all my teenage years, -
once a month I wrote your names and addresses on the envelopes.
When I was in high school and we lived in Germany, -
we started to use labels which were attached to the envelopes.
It was a faster method, so my reward was cut down to one penny.
During the five or six years I saw your names many times.
I learned your names, -
although I didn't always know the person behind the name.
I was young and godly.
I used to pray for you, when I wrote your names down.
You could imagine that the child, that I was, -
cannot live without this leaving a mark on them.
I haven't had the courage to live depending on the circle of senders
like my dad did.
However, the circle of senders has given me enormously strength.
Over these years since the beginning of the 1970's -
I have always known, that there is a group of people, -
who pray for our family and also for us, children.
It is a precious thing to know.
The prayer support has been so valuable -
that I cannot find words for it.
I want to thank you, the senders, for it.
I want to thank God for you -
and your faithfulness in your calling as a sender.
This doesn't mean that the time of the circle of senders is over.
Leena continues the work with your support.
I hope you won't leave her alone but continue supporting her.
I hope we can pray for each other in the future, too.
Terhi already lead us to the next phase.
Kalevi was a most international person.
When Billy Graham in 1987 in Helsinki Olympic Stadium -
left Kalevi with a mandate as an evangelist -
he said that Finland cannot be a military superpower.
He was able to figure that out somehow.
He said that we can be a spiritual superpower.
Finland is a peace-keeping superpower.
There are Finns in internationally significant positions.
Kalevi was one of them.
One great Finn was buried yesterday.
He was councilor of state Harri Holkeri.
He was a peace maker, a blue and white Finn -
and an international person.
He was approximately of the same age with Kalevi.
Kalevi's peacemaking work took place in a different front.
Kalevi said: "Jesus is not an alternative. He is a lifeline."
His life and ministry built not only Finland but the whole world.
Now we hear greetings from our sister nation Estonia.
Keiti ja Lehari Kaustel will sing, play zither and speak to us.
It has been said that Estonia had a singing revolution.
They are a singing nation and our neighbor.
They are dear and important to us.
There was a festival "Singing and Freedom" in Estonia a while ago
There was a mission in estonia 20 years ago.
Kalevi Lehtinen was the main speaker back then.
Kalevi was assigned to speak also this summer.
20 years ago Kalevi left for Soviet Estonia -
but he came back from the independent Estonia.
Welcome Keiti and Lehari Kaustel.
My name is Lehari Kaustel.
I work for People's Bible Society's sister organization Agape Estonia.
It's a honor for me as a representative of young generation
to bring you greetings as Kalevi's friend, co-worker, disciple, -
and a representative of Agape Estonia and Estonian nation.
When the first mission took place in Estonia 20 years ago -
Kalevi Lehtinen arrived to Soviet Estonia.
Many important things occurred at the same time.
Estonia became independent.
Kalevi left from the free Estonia.
Every time Kalevi visited Estonia, we joked, -
what kind of revolution he brings now.
As Estonians we have taken the memory of Kalevi very seriously.
So we have a chocolate factory, a stadium -
and a sports arena honoring Kalevi's name.
In the sports arena that carries Kalevi's name -
he gave his last great speech to thousands of young people -
few years ago.
I know how Kalevi waited with expectancy -
the mission we organized a short while ago.
He wanted to meet many of those, who found Christ 20 years ago, -
and to thank God for the fruit of the past 20 years.
Kalevi is not among us anymore, but his vision is here.
It's an honor for each of us to carry on the vision.
Kalevi's authority and meaning -
is big not only to Finland, but also to Estonia, -
and to other nations in Europe and around the world.
Kalevi had a message and a vision.
He wanted to meet us in heaven. Now he is there, -
where he invited us. I hope we'll meet again there.
In addition to Campus Crusade, or Agape Europe, as it is known here -
Kalevi had connections to many other international organizations.
He was involved in the European Evangelical Alliance -
and in the vision for European evangelism, Hope for Europe, -
in which Kalevi's successor Markku Happonen has taken part.
Kalevi was well-known in these ministries -
and there he had a chance to preach the Gospel widely.
Over the years he got to know many co-workers from different countries
Today we have international guests.
I'd like to invite Jeff Fountain.
Many of us know him already from the time -
when he worked in the Youth with a Mission in Europe -
and he was the director of YWAM.
Welcome, Jeff. He will be interpreted by Petri Patronen.
Terhi told us in an interesting and a nice way -
how different events started to unfold in their family life.
Perhaps someone knows Kalevi from the time he graduated in 1965.
The student ministry of the People's Bible Society -
began at the end of 1960's.
The new connection to Campus Crusade was an inspiration.
How many of you have taken part in the student ministry?
The work expanded to Turku, Tampere and Jyväskylä.
Kalevi sang and played with a guitar a song, -
I have joy, joy, joy in my heart.
It was our reality during student ministry.
I'd like to introduce a man, who is a family friend to Lehtinens.
His parents got to know the Lehtinens -
when they lead together the European ministry.
Bailey Marks, Jr. whose parents joined Campus Crusade -
at the same time as the Lehtinens. Welcome, Bailey Marks, Jr.
Leena, lapset, lapsenlapset ja Kalevin ystävät, -
otan osaa menetykseenne.
Voimme iloita, sillä hän on nyt perillä.
Kalevi ja mieheni Bill tapasivat Berliinissä.
Tapasin Kalevin ja Einen, kun he liittyivät Campus Crusadeen -
ja saapuivat Yhdysvaltoihin perehdytyskurssille.
Saimme vierailla Lehtisten kotona Suomessa ja Saksassa.
Vaalin monia onnellisia muistoja.
Oli myös ilo saada Lehtiset vieraaksi kotiimme Floridaan.
Kalevin työ kukoisti Euroopassa ja entisessä Neuvostoliitossa.
Muistan, miten matkustimme Volgajoella.
Kalevi ja Bill julistivat evankeliumia eri kaupungeissa.
Kymmenettuhannet ottivat sanoman vastaan.
Voin kuvitella, miten Kalevi ja Bill -
muistelevat nyt yhteistä taivalta evankeliumin työssä.
Kun rakas puolisoni sairastui parantumattomasti, -
Jumala antoi minulle sananpaikan Joh. 14:28:sta.
Jeesus valmisti opetuslapsia poismenoonsa sanomalla: -
"Jos rakastaisitte minua, iloitsisitte siitä," -
"että menen Isän luo, sillä Isä on minua suurempi."
Halusin iloita mieheni kanssa siitä, -
että Hän pääsee Jeesuksen luo.
Rukoilen, että tämä sananpaikka toisi lohdun teillekin.
Rakkaita terveisiä ja Jumalan siunausta!
Kalevi Lehtinen oli suuri Jumalan mies.
Jumala käytti häntä voimallisesti evankelioinnissa.
Hän antoi minulle arvokkaita neuvoja evankeliointityöstä.
Rakkaimmat muistoni Kalevista liittyvät johtajien kokouksiin.
Muistan erään kokouksen Kaakkois-Aasiassa 1970-luvulla.
Tavallisesti Bill Bright johti kokouksia, mutta hän sairastui.
Hän pyysi minua johtamaan kokousta.
Pääsimme asialistan loppuun. Kalevi pyysi puheenvuoroa.
Hän halusi tuoda esiin kohdan, jota ei mainittu asialistalla.
Hän ehdotti, että kokouksen puheenjohtajaa - minua -
rohkaistaisiin menemään naimisiin!
Ehdotus sai kannatusta, ja se hyväksyttiin heti.
Judy ja minä kihlauduimme jonkin ajan kuluttua.
Kalevi totesi, että päätöstä oltiin vihdoin panemassa täytäntöön
Kalevilla oli oiva huumorintaju.
Muistan aina veikeän hymyn hänen kasvoillaan.
Hänestä olisi paljon sanottavaa, -
mutta suurin on se, että hän rakasti Jumalaa kokosydämisesti -
ja lähimmäistä niin kuin itseään.
Oli suuri ilo tuntea hänet ja jakaa johtajuutta hänen kanssaan.
Kalevi's close co-worker over the years -
is Pepe Tolonen, a man from Ristijärvi.
It was a joy to play with Pepe in Pro Fide band.
Pepe went to Germany at an interesting point of time.
Today is August 28.
He left on August 28 28 years ago.
It was all due to inspiration he got from Kalevi.
Pepe has traveled throughout Europe -
visiting prisons with Ilkka Puhakka.
He visited Romania and East Europe during the difficult time.
He preaches the Gospel with a preserved enthusiasm.
Pepe will sing a song called "Friends".
Pakkaat unelmat, jotka Jumala istutti
Hedelmälliseen maaperään sinussa
En usko, että Hänen antamansa toivo
Tarkoittaa, että kappale elämässäsi on ohi.
Pidämme sinut lähellä, kuten ennenkin
Ei edes näytä siltä, että olisit poissa
Sydämemme suurilla ja pienillä tavoilla
Säilyttää rakkauden, joka vahvistaa meitä
Ystävät ovat ystäviä aina
Jos Herra on heidän Herransa
Ystävä ei sano "ei ikinä"
Sillä olet aina tervetullut
Vaikka on vaikea jättää sinut Isän käsiin
Tiedämme, ettei ihmisikä riitä ystävyyteen
Jumalan antamalla uskolla ja rakkaudella
Joka nousee tuntemastamme toivosta
Uskomme, että ilo, jossa elät
On voimaa, jota nyt osoitat
Pidämme sinut lähellä, kuten ennenkin
Ei edes näytä siltä, että olisit poissa
Sydämemme suurilla ja pienillä tavoilla
Säilyttää rakkauden, joka vahvistaa meitä
Ystävät ovat ystäviä aina
Jos Herra on heidän Herransa
Ystävä ei sano "ei ikinä"
Sillä olet aina tervetullut
Vaikka on vaikea jättää sinut Isän käsiin
Tiedämme, ettei ihmisikä riitä ystävyyteen
Ystävät ovat ystäviä aina
Jos Herra on heidän Herransa
Ystävä ei sano "ei ikinä"
Sillä olet aina tervetullut
Vaikka on vaikea jättää sinut Isän käsiin
Tiedämme, ettei ihmisikä riitä
Ystävät ovat ystäviä aina
Jos Herra on heidän Herransa
Ystävä ei sano "ei ikinä"
Sillä olet aina tervetullut
Vaikka on vaikea jättää sinut Isän käsiin
Tiedämme, ettei ihmisikä riitä ystävyyteen
I'd like to introduce now four guests from Europe -
and from Agape Europe.
Javier Garcia, the director of Agape Europe, -
Francis and Ann-Marie Husson from France, -
they were the directors of Agape France -
and now they work in media ministry in Paris, -
and Lesley Cheesman, the new Agape director in England. Welcome!
Olen Bailey Marks.
Leena, Kalevin lapset ja lapsenlapset, ystävät
Suren kanssanne rakkaan veljen, isän, isoisän ja puolison menetystä
Iloitsen kanssanne tietäessäni, -
että hän on nyt kuninkaiden Kuninkaan ja herrojen Herran luona.
Näen Kalevin taivaassa tapaamassa satojatuhansia ihmisiä, -
jotka tulivat tuntemaan Herran Kalevin työn ansiosta.
Jos hänelle olisi edeltävänä päivänä sanottu, -
että hän pääsee seuraavana päivänä taivaaseen, -
hän olisi ollut maailman onnellisin mies.
Tapasin Kalevin ja Einen ensi kerran vuonna 1967.
Kalevi ja Eine sekä Elizabeth ja minä -
olimme hiljattain liittyneet Campus Crusadeen.
Olimme suunnilleen saman ikäisiä. Lapsemme olivat saman ikäisiä.
Aloimme perheinä viettää aikaa yhdessä.
Saimme vaimoni kanssa antaa pienen panoksemme, -
kun palvelutyötä aloitettiin Suomessa.
Eräs amerikkalainen oli pyytänyt Kalevia liittymään Campus Crusadeen
Kalevi oli käynyt ensimmäisessä maailmankonferenssissa Berliinissä.
Siellä hän tapasi Bill Brightin.
Bill kertoi Kaleville Campus Crusaden työstä.
Hän kysyi Kalevilta: "Oletko sinä jo löytänyt Hengen?"
Kalevi ei ollut varma, mitä Bill tarkoitti. Bill selitti.
Kalevi kertoi, että oli mullistavaa saada tietää, -
miten elää Pyhän Hengen voimassa.
Konferenssin aikana eräs puhuja kritisoi ankarasti tri Brightia.
Kalevi kertoi katselleensa Billiä.
Hän kertoi Billin vain hymyilleen rauhallisesti.
Sillä hetkellä Kalevi oli päättänyt liittyä Brightin järjestöön.
Hänestä tuli järjestön Suomen työn johtaja.
Koska palvelutyö kasvoi nopeasti Suomessa ja Euroopassa, -
Kalevia pyydettiin järjestön Euroopan työn johtajaksi.
Hänen alaisuudessaan palvelutyö kukoisti.
Tapasimme noin kerran vuodessa kansainvälisissä kokouksissa.
Minua pyydettiin Pohjois-Amerikan ulkopuolisten alueiden johtajaksi.
Muutimme Saksaan, Kanderniin, -
jossa myös Kalevi ja Eine perheineen asuivat.
Kerran Kalevi pyysi minulta ystävänpalvelusta.
Hän sanoi: "Vapauta minut tämänhetkisestä asemastani," -
"jotta voin palata alkuperäiseen kutsuuni evankelistaksi."
"Kun liityin Crusadeen, olin nuorisoevankelista."
"Haluan palata kokopäiväiseen evankeliumin työhön."
Yritin pyörtää hänen päätään vetoamalla siihen, -
miten monia hänen senhetkinen työnsä koskettaa.
Hän sanoi: "Tiedän, mutta tämä ei ole kutsuni."
Kalevi jätti paikkansa ja ryhtyi kokopäiväiseksi evankelistaksi.
Hän matkusti eri puolilla Eurooppaa puhumassa.
Entisen Neuvostoliiton maat olivat lähellä hänen sydäntään.
Kun rajat avautuivat, Kalevi oli ensimmäisten joukossa menossa sinne
Ihmeellisten käänteiden kautta -
hän sai varattua Pietarin suurimpiin kuuluvan areenan -
evankeliointikampanjaa varten.
Pääsimme Elizabethin kanssa tilaisuuteen.
Nousimme taksista areenan edessä.
En ollut ikinä nähnyt mitään vastaavaa.
Ihmiset suorastaan anoivat, että he pääsisivät sisälle.
Kalevi puhui suurella arvovallalla ja voimalla -
ja julisti evankeliumia suorasti ja yksinkertaisesti.
Hän rohkaisi kuulijoita pyytämään Kristusta elämäänsä.
Kun hän rukoili, areena täyttyi rukousten sorinasta, -
kun ihmiset pyysivät Kristusta elämäänsä.
Sitten hän kehotti niitä, jotka olivat rukoilleet, astumaan eteen.
Hetken salissa vallitsi hiljaisuus.
Sitten ihmiset nousivat ja juoksivat eteen.
Olin nähnyt kaikkialla maailmassa, -
miten ihmisiä oli tullut tuntemaan Kristuksen.
Kyyneleet virtasivat kasvoillamme, -
kun näimme, millainen jano ihmisillä oli Jumalan puoleen -
ja miten väkevästi Jumala toimi Kalevin kautta Pietarissa.
Tiedän, että veljeni iloitsee nyt taivaassa -
ja tapaa tuhansia ja tuhansia pelastuneita.
Olen iloinen, kun saan olla täällä.
Toivon, että teillä on hieno ilta.
Olen ollut Leningradissa jo kaksi päivää.
Minua hävettää, etten ole oppinut vielä kieltänne.
Siksi Andrei tulkkaa puheeni.
Uskon, että asiat, joista aion puhua, -
ovat niin tärkeitä, että ne kannattaa sanoa kahdesti.
Kalevi Lehtisen sanat koskettivat kuulijoita syvästi.
Hän pyysi eteen niitä, jotka olivat päättäneet seurata Jeesusta.
Esiin tuli tuhansia ihmisiä.
Pyhä Jumala, pyhä Väkevä Holy God, Holy Mighty One
Pyhä Kuolematon - armahda meitä Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us
Pyhä Jumala, pyhä Väkevä Holy God, Holy Mighty One
Pyhä Kuolematon - armahda meitä Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us
Pyhä Jumala, pyhä Väkevä Holy God, Holy Mighty One
Pyhä Kuolematon - armahda meitä Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us
Kunnia olkoon Isälle ja Pojalle Honor to the Father and to the Son
ja Pyhälle Hengelle and to the Holy Spirit
Nyt, aina ja iankaikkisesti. Aamen Now, always and forever. Amen.
Thank You for this miracle in our neighboring country.
You used Kalevi in an essential way -
in the middle of political turbulence.
He was able to preach You, living Jesus, to that nation.
Lord, we bless the work -
and the seeds that were sown.
Have mercy on our great neighboring nation.
Continue Your work. Encourage the believers and the churches there.
Thank you, Kalevi, that you put yourself in God's use.
As a man of pain and sickness, you gave everything for Jesus. Amen
On August of 1987 Kalevi stood by Billy Graham -
in the Olympic Stadium.
How many of you were there?
You remember how Billy Graham encouraged Kalevi -
and said: "Here is an evangelist. You don't need me anymore."
The connection and brotherhood of these two evangelists -
preserved over the years.
It's a joy for me to say, that we will now hear greetings -
from Billy Graham's organization -
the director of European ministry. He has visited Finland also before.
Viktor Hamm, welcome!
One summer in the 1960's a youngster -
was on his way to Oronmylly recreation center -
to be a youth leader in the confirmation class -
in which Kalevi taught. The boy's name was Esko.
He gave out tracts in the bus to other passengers.
One man became a bit upset.
He asked: "You seem to know everything so well."
"Tell me who was Cain's wife."
Esko panicked. He wanted to be a youth leader, -
but he didn't know, who was Cain's wife.
He had a sense of inferiority.
He arrived to Oronmylly.
He sought counseling with Kalevi.
He said: "I'm not a good leader. I don't know who was Cain's wife."
Kalevi put his hand on Esko's shoulder and said: -
"Esko, don't get tangled up in other men's love life."
This tells a lot about Kalevi.
The Gospel was in the center of Kalevi's life.
When someone got sidetracked, Kalevi corrected them gently.
Kalevi's Christianity was very sound. He had a right sense.
Secondly it tells that Kalevi was a good counselor and personable, -
as Bailey Marks Jr. testified.
As Steve Douglass said in his video greeting, -
Kalevi had a great sense of humor.
Furthermore, Kalevi had the ability to surprise.
His answers were such, that you just couldn't foresee them.
They turned everything upside down. He gave unexpected perspectives.
He had the ability to give light from a new perspective -
that you hadn't thought about at all. He was different.
It's a privilege to host the third and last part.
My colleague here is Kirsi Rostamo, executive of Radio Dei.
Thank you.
This is Kalle Vaismaa. He met Kalevi in 1995 -
when he was Kalevi's chauffeur in Tampere mission.
He has followed Kalevi's footsteps.
He was the director of Bible Society's campus work.
Now he is researcher and studies traffic in Tampere.
We are the hosts of the third part.
Now we'll hear music from Kalevi Lehtinen's co-worker.
Anna-Mari Kaskinen and Kalevi and Leena -
share their love for Vivamo Bible School.
Kalevi and Leena Lehtinen were among the first sponsors -
for the Bible Village project Anna-Mari Kaskinen has launched.
Anna-Mari will start this week as the executive director of Vivamo.
Anna-Mari and Elias Kaskinen perform a song -
that Anna-Mari, a prolific song writer, wrote for Kalevi's funeral.
The song is composed by Petri Laaksonen.
First, dear Leena, family and friends, -
I am happy, that Kalevi and Leena spent a lot of time in Vivamo.
You made your home in Finland in Vivamo.
It has been a joy to have you as Bible Village sponsors.
Kalevi had a teaching series on the Book of Acts last summer, -
when we portrayed a drama based on the book of Acts.
I asked Kalevi to come and tell me his views -
on the tasks of Vivamo in this decade.
He had been involved in many tasks in Vivamo for several years.
Unfortunately we did not have the opportunity to meet, -
although Kalevi gladly gave his promise to meet me.
Soon after Kalevi's departure I traveled with my husband -
to the Archipelago of Turku.
There was a newsletter from Kalevi on the table of our holiday home.
It was from year 2009. It had found it's way there with mail.
In it Kalevi wrote, that we as Christians make an orchestra.
Some are evangelists, some are teachers, -
some are ministers. Everyone's duty is to pray.
Only when put together, the orchestra's sound is perfect.
Kalevi was a person, who crossed borders.
Sometimes it seemed as he didn't even notice the borders -
that separate Christians from each other.
As we heard, his theological foundation was love.
One way to celebrate Kalevi's life is to combine our strengths -
in order to fulfill together Jesus' Great Commission.
I hope the newsletters to Kalevi's senders -
would be compiled and published.
Kalevi knew Paul's letters to churches.
I believe his words would encourage us greatly.
Now we'll sing.
The composer Petri Laaksonen gives his regards.
A long way is behind me
I can go to rest
With other Saints
I share Heaven's joy
A humble person leaves a beautiful memory
Many will miss the good friend
Jesus once kindled the flame
You spread the fire to all the earth
How many did you lead to Christ
We don't understand yet the meaning of it
You always listened looking eye to eye
Even the smallest one wasn't afraid under that gaze
Faithful friend, thank you for everything
One day we'll see again your dear face
We saw a video of the St. Petersburg mission.
A few years later there was another mission.
After that Kalevi and the team went down the Volga River with a ship.
There were many missions on the big cities by the Volga River.
People there still today ask us Finns, do we know Kalevi.
Hannu Haukka, director of IRR TV, was with Kalevi already then.
He will bring his greetings next.
I also introduce Jussi Miettinen, -
who arranged many events with Kalevi in People's Mission -
as director of youth ministry and now as director of school ministry
Dear Leena, family and friends. Dear viewers.
On behalf of media ministry of IRR TV we thank God -
because a busy evangelist found time for us when we needed him.
Kalevi was member of IRR TV's committee.
He was the main speaker of the Volgograd mission in 2003.
Thousands of people in Volgograd heard the message.
In each of the cities we had campaigns -
many years after Kalevi Lehtinen and Markku Happonen traveled there
in the mid 1990's -
many Russians have asked me, do I know Kalevi Lehtinen.
I have answered: "I have a great joy to know him."
They remember the events by the Volga River -
and the missions that took place 15 years ago.
The mission in Helsinki will start soon.
Kalevi was our advisor until the end.
He was a connector.
He advised us of how to proceed in Helsinki area.
We remain grateful to him.
Kalevi advised us to take on the challenge of media mission -
next year in Tallinn campaign.
We agreed to do so.
Kalevi left us footprints, which are good to follow.
May God bless his memory and his impact in our lives.
When we discussed over dinner at home last week -
what could I say today, my 9 years old daughter Anna suggested: -
"Today is a beautiful day. It would have made Kalevi glad."
I believe it's true.
Two Bible passages and two persons have been on my mind, -
prophets Elijah and Elisha.
Elijah the prophet called young Elisha to be with him -
and to serve him.
Many of us, including me, have similar experiences.
We heard Kalevi's call and said "yes".
I have ministered in Kalevi Lehtinen's calling -
for almost 20 years now.
I have organized big and small youth events -
in which Kalevi has preached the Gospel to thousands of youngsters.
Thousands of youngsters have received the message.
The story of the prophets Elijah and Elisha -
is full of exciting twists.
It would be tempting to go deeper into them, but there's no time.
Elijah the prophet died. He didn't fall while jogging, -
the chariots of fire took him to heaven.
What remained? Teachings, amazing stories, dear memories.
Perhaps the most important thing was the prophet's mantle.
The young prophet Elisha put it on.
Now that Kalevi is gone, -
we have amazing stories and memories.
The most important thing we have -
is Kalevi's ministry and legacy we've heard of today.
Today we have a chance to commit ourselves to world evangelism.
Kalevi said that when we have a vision for winning the world -
Finland, too, will be reached along the journey.
I miss Kalevi, a wise advisor, a friend, a spiritual father.
If I could say to Kalevi something today, -
I'd tell him how grateful I am.
Perhaps I'd tell him that his death has made -
my vision of evangelism become clearer than ever before.
Dear friends, I believe that when we move forward, -
Kalevi's mantle will be offered to us.
In this story there is an exciting twist.
Elisha the prophet got the double anointing -
of the older prophet's spirit. He made double so many miracles.
I believe this was Kalevi's prayer.
That the Gospel would go through us, if possible, even more -
than through Kalevi's ministry. God bless you.
Our God once came in human flesh on this earth
The Word of the Lord is alive
And it comes to shine in our hearts
To shine bright
Jesus still wants to take his followers to the world
Not everyone knows that a guilty ones
can have rest from their wrongdoings
If Jesus has kindled the flame of faith in you
Follow Him wherever the road may lead you
You are not alone, not unprotected
Let the flame of the Lord burn
Let love grow
Until the fire gains ground
And the light reaches everyone
The dawn of a new day breaks to the world
A new morning has come
Jesus wins the powers of fear
The light is brighter than the pain or the death
Let us watch, shining
Laboring and praying
One day we'll see the Lord
When he returns and brings eternal peace
If Jesus has kindled the flame of faith in you
Follow Him wherever the road may lead you
You are not alone, not unprotected
Let the flame of the Lord burn
Let love grow
Until the fire gains ground
And the light reaches everyone
Pirjo Salminen and Ilkka Puhakka of People's Bible Society -
joined Kalevi in many missions.
Pirjo has been developing the evangelism training in Agape Europe
She continued the work in Finland.
She trained the volunteers in many of Kalevi's missions
Ilkka Puhakka was speaker in Kalevi's many missions.
He will be one of Kalevi's mantle carriers.
He took Kalevi's place as a speaker in Estonia this summer.
They will now share their thoughts.
The message of the Great Commission is unambiguously consistent.
"Go and make disciples of all nations" -
"teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
The idea of reaching, equipping and sending -
was one of the multiplication principles also in Kalevi's life.
I sat by the feet of Kalevi when I was a student -
growing and rooting in my faith.
Kalevi challenged me to join the full time Christian ministry -
and to take on the task of an equipper.
I joined People's Bible Society's Campus ministry, -
Agape Europe's education team, -
Volga Mission's pastor training team, -
and Barnabas Institute's education team.
I was education planner for Lutheran Priests in Namibia.
All this because I once understood the meaning of equipping.
I thank Kalevi for that.
Equipping is not only a prerequisite -
for the Lutheran baptism conception, -
it is the salt of the whole Christian life.
To maintain the motivation requires continuous renewal -
in Christian life. It is one of the prerequisites of growth.
Knowing Christ more deeply and understanding the grace -
require honest reflection, discussion -
and sometimes a person who you can confide in.
Therefore we need the opportunity -
given by a life-long sound and challenging teaching -
to discussion, prayer, study and application.
Kalevi understood this.
First and foremost, he was evangelist, -
but he was also a teacher, exhorter and equipper.
Kalevi's example is his legacy for us.
We can't afford and we don't have the right -
not to lead, teach, equip and do our best in order to -
let our Christian legacy bear fruit that endures.
I'm thankful to the Holy Trinity for giving me -
such an exhorting, equipping, teaching and warm person as Kalevi.
Not only did Kalevi see his own calling, -
he saw the potentiality God created in people he met.
Kalevi didn't just note how things are, -
he trusted in God's work in a person's life -
by challenging, listening and advising, -
but not in a dictatorial way.
I have felt deeply in my personal life -
Kalevi's statement, "Only by grace we are saved."
"Only by grace can we be in Lord's business."
It is possible by the inspiration and teaching of God's Spirit -
when we trust in God's grace.
Therefore we've been given teachers, spiritual advisors, -
small groups and spiritual advisors like Kalevi.
I thank for that.
I had a mind-blowing experience in the 1980's.
It changed my life. It took place in Temppeliaukio Church.
I was listening to Kalevi's teaching series on evangelism.
For the first time in my life I heard -
the Gospel in a simple, understandable and receivable way.
It was yesterday when I was sharing in Estonia -
the things I learned in the 1980's.
My audience was one Estonian lady, 80 years.
We had an evangelism meeting.
I have lived from this teaching and I want to show it.
You know that a picture speaks louder than a thousand words.
This picture was given to me by Kalevi. I live by it.
Kalevi said: "The old preachers asked to put your hand" -
"into Lord's hand. People thought it was like this."
At first, it feels good, especially if the other person has a good grip
When time goes by and you cling with this grip of faith, -
you may lose your power.
You don't have the power to hold on and hang onto.
You feel that in life there are things, that don't give you energy.
You start to fear, that you lose the grip.
If you lose the grip, you'll fall into darkness.
Kalevi said, God has not called us into this kind of handshake
When God asks us to put our hand into His hand, -
it is a grasp of brothers, like this.
You grab by the wrist.
When you don't have power in your faith to hold on, -
the other one holds you.
He is Jesus Christ. He has promised to take us there.
In the missions you face all kinds of problems.
One of the statements Kalevi had reflected his sense of humor.
He said, it is easier to get the forgiveness than the permission.
I introduce you two men, who share the stubborn passion -
to evangelize.
They'll share memories from the revival in Finland in the 1960's.
Matti Vuolanne and Pekka Jokiranta, welcome.
Matti Vuolanne, provost from Pori.
He was Kalevi's classmate.
They evangelized day and night in the streets.
Matti has the same kind of passion in evangelism in Siberia.
Pekka Jokiranta is former inland ministry director -
of the People's Mission.
He has a passion for evangelical revival Christianity.
It didn't take place in the 60's, but the 50's. - I was not born yet.
We started the work in 1955. In 1960 we were scattered.
Kalevi had problems, wonderful problems.
If Kalevi was here talking to us, -
he would say: "Don't talk about me."
"Talk about my Jesus!"
He never allowed people to praise and applaud him.
But he knows the praises are not for him, -
but for his heavenly Father.
One of the problems Kalevi had in the 1950's -
was the faculty of theology with all it's professors.
In the early years of his Christian life -
in the faculty of theology -
Kalevi figured out how the faculty of theology -
could get professors who are believers.
He decided that the only way to get Jesus' own people, -
professors, who trust in Bible, into the faculty, -
is to become one himself.
He started to read hard for the exams.
He was very clever.
God had planned something different for his life, -
so God didn't allow him.
Another problem was Philippians 4:4.
Paul says: "Rejoice in the Lord always."
Kalevi battled with this.
He said, how can you rejoice always, -
even in tears and affliction of the world, -
and in the case of martyrdom.
Then he figured it out.
He came to the faculty his face shining.
He shouted: "Boys and girls". Our class was wonderful.
He said: "It says: Rejoice in the Lord."
Lord Jesus Christ is unchanging.
In Him we have always a reason to rejoice.
I had a problem in the faculty of theology.
Bishop Elis Kulin had said, -
that apes and humans descend from the same basic form.
I was quite upset.
The enemy infiltrated bitterness into me.
I was upset that the Church of Finland brought out such things.
Kalevi helped me and saved this situation for me.
He said to our class: "This thing is clear."
"Bishop Elis Kulin is descended from apes"
"Matti Vuolanne has been left undescended."
The whole bitterness went away.
We had wonderful teachers.
I cried many times when Nikolainen spoke -
during devotional time.
The word was so strong.
It was wonderful to be there in the time of Osmo Tiililä.
Kalevi took the opportunity and received the word -
from Tiililä, who had heard it from Karl Heim.
As Jesus says in the Gospel of Luke, -
the Kingdom of God is internally in us.
He said it to the Pharisees.
It was a problem. How could Jesus say this to the Pharisees?
But through Tiililä it became clear, -
that the Kingdom of God is something different -
than our galaxy, space or the visible things.
It is something completely different.
Tiililä assigned the theologist at that time, Jussi Nordman, -
to study this thing.
Together with Kalevi we received Jussi's thesis.
I still have the copy of it.
Therefore, when God uses you, like He used Kalevi, -
and He will use you the same way, give praise to Jesus.
He is awesome, and He is in front of Kalevi in the glory.
I envy him, because he got there, and I have to continue here.
I rejoiced when I heard Kalevi's words, -
"Things are so important, it's worthwile to say them twice."
There has been a lot of words today, -
and I have a chance to speak.
I'm going to share some things with you.
I was able to be closely connected to Kalevi for 50 years.
In 1962 or 63 he was student of theology.
He hastened to preach the Gospel. He wasn't even graduated yet.
He went to Järvenpää to be youth pastor there.
He graduated later and was ordained in 1964.
One could say -
that Kalevi's calling was to be an evangelist -
since the early years of the 60's.
Matti already went into even further in the past.
The Gospel impacted Kalevi's life since he was 16 years old.
It was the reason why he wanted to bring the Word -
among young people.
I was able to join his meetings, when I was young evangelist -
in Bible School.
We arranged together Evangelism Campaign in Järvenpää -
with my colleague Raili Wasten. Kalevi asked us to do this.
There Kalevi asked people to raise hands.
Young people surrendered themselves to serve Jesus.
When I was in Maunula couple years later -
Kalevi and I visited school classes.
I was 10 years in school ministry.
There I wondered -
when we went from class to class -
there were students, 15 or 16 years of age, -
Kalevi was able to repeat in every class -
almost from word to word his own testimony -
and how he found Jesus as His Savior when he was 16.
He appealed to the students and said, -
here is the Savior who is worth following.
It's nice to see that someone's lifelong work -
bears fruit to the very border, -
until they fall.
One thing I'd like to mention, -
especially now that we have Church's leaders among us.
Kalevi was granted with a title "provost" in 1991.
It was his second title.
It was in the year 1991.
God's people granted him another title.
It was "evangelist".
It was the title by which Kalevi was known.
He wanted to be known as an evangelist.
I don't remember that he himself would have used the title "provost"
He was disappointed because in the Finnish Bible translation in 1993 -
the word "evangelist" had almost disappeared.
It was replaced by some other expression.
The word "evangelist" appears in only one place.
This upset Kalevi.
In the evangelist conference he asked once, -
aren't we going to get the office of the evangelist -
in the Lutheran Church.
I'd like to appeal to the leaders of the Lutheran Church -
that they would consider once more -
isn't the Church able to establish the office of the evangelist.
When I heard the news about Kalevi's death, -
I was at my mother-in-law's in Joensuu.
That night I sat alone for a long time.
A song began to play in me, and it ended a while ago.
Here are my thoughts of Kalevi.
See how beautiful
Are the feet of the runner
They carry over the mountains
The good news
See how beautiful
Are the hands worn out in work
They bring comfort
And wipe down tears
Until to the end in the road of the Lord
It's the most valuable calling
Our longing is fulfilled there
At the end there is only Jesus
To go, whatever the cost
To run with a burning soul
Not to close one's heart
It is the path of Christ
Is there anything more awesome
Is there anything greater
Than to stake one's life
To believe and to love
Until to the end in the road of the Lord
It's the most valuable calling
Our longing is fulfilled there
At the end there is only Jesus
The Lord gives, the Lord takes away
All the colors of life
Dark clouds, the blue of the sky
Praise to Him
I hope one time I'd hear
When I'm on my last journey
My faithful servant
Enter into the eternal joy
Until to the end in the road of the Lord
It's the most valuable calling
Our longing is fulfilled there
At the end there is only Jesus
Until to the end in the road of the Lord
It's the most valuable calling
Our longing is fulfilled there
At the end there is only Jesus
Kalevi and Leena Lehtinen were married -
in the beginning of November 1997 in Turku.
In their honeymoon they came to Helsinki -
to bless Radio Dei when it started to air.
It was important to me and my family -
because many of you know when you start something -
others think you're crazy.
It's encouraging to know that someone believes in you.
Kalevi and Leena have been there to support, pray and bless -
many of the Christian evangelism ministries.
Now Leena continues the ministry without Kalevi.
Leena, you are not alone.
We all want to support you and pray for you -
and to bless your work.
Now we'll hear Leena's words.
Dear friends
Kalevi would be happy, no he is happy to see you now.
I got to love Kalevi for 15 years.
I lived with him night and day. I was his colleague, -
intercessor, and whatever a man needs, -
and evangelist.
It's good to look back in the past, -
but I'd like to think what Kalevi would like to say us -
about our future.
I think he'd say, don't give up, -
take heart.
Love one another.
Deny the enmity.
Settle things between you -
but don't quarrel for trivial matters.
Good things shouldn't go before the most important things, -
the Gospel and Jesus.
Settle your arguments and work together.
Don't move in your own power, but in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Give your best and receive the best Jesus wants to give.
It is finished.
Jesus' work on the cross is valid today, whatever the world says.
Remember what he used to say, it is true.
You can stand on two feet on it. The world needs it.
Remember how he... or you can't remember.
You didn't see it so close.
He became weaker.
But did you notice, how his words became even more deeper.
Every time he was led to the pulpit -
or he went there by himself, if he could, -
he shined like a young man.
His message was clear.
The Holy Spirit took his weariness.
Who remembers it?
Kalevi would say, "Your weaknesses" -
"is not an obstacle in the work of the Holy Spirit."
You just say, Jesus, send me. That's all what's needed.
Let's not drop off the work. The world is not conquered yet.
This generation is not reached yet.
Maybe your neighborhood is not reached.
Even so, let the grace of God reach you.
Kalevi spoke grace to others.
Sometimes it was hard for him to receive grace, -
but I saw how he learned. You should learn, too.
You can live by grace and by the joy -
the feet start to go and brains work -
in order to conquer this world.
Kalevi said always, that he can't retire.
We discussed about it often in the car.
There is not a common Christian plan to evangelize Finland.
He can't stop, because there isn't such plan.
Boys and girls, let's do it.
MY HEART'S MESSAGE
We need young people who have the integrity -
who know what they believe in and to what direction they go.
Without Jesus no one can do it.
Jesus ministered when he was 30 years old.
The disciples were younger. John was a teenager.
It was a youth movement -
among the old, dignified, grey-haired people.
They had a vision, that when they stake everything, -
and follow Jesus, something happens.
Jesus called the fishermen saying, follow me -
I'll make you fishers of men.
They left their nets and followed Jesus.
When I have prayed and thought what is my vision for Finland -
and Finland's Church, -
my dream is that people live in fellowship.
They don't live separated from one another.
And they have solidarity and love.
It's not about a change in strategy or in methods or in doctrine.
The quality of our Christianity must be renewed.
I feel that it would be better -
if 8 percent of the people had a 100 % faith -
than 100 percent of the people had an 8 % faith.
I fear that we have 8 percent of the people with 8 % of faith.
So that our faith in Jesus is without aroma, taste or color.
It doesn't change anything.
It's a part of Finnish life, approved in this society.
It preserves things from past -
but it doesn't conquer nor create new.
Our spiritual structures are preserving, not conquering.
I'm convinced that God wants to change -
the quality of our Christianity, -
so that we would be soldiers, not patients.
Jesus heals our wounds. It's important.
The healing has a goal. The goal is to become fit for the war -
so that the message of the Kingdom of God would go forward.
I don't see any other solution to evangelize Finland completely -
than to make the ordinary Christians -
to be preachers of the Gospel.
The other person is not an object to be evangelized.
It's a human being with emotions, suffering and pain, just as you.
They are incomplete, just as you.
They need love, not judgment.
When we start moving in Jesus's power I believe something happens.
One of my friends in India told about two men.
They found a gold vein.
They were very excited. They thought they'll be rich.
They decided they'll tell no one.
They made each other swear.
They went to get tools from their home village.
When they started to walk away from the village -
the whole village followed them about 50 meters from them.
When they stopped, the crowd stopped, too.
They started to walk, the crow started to walk.
The two men started to argue. "You've told them", they said.
Finally they asked the villagers, who told them.
They answered: "We don't know anything."
We just saw you glowing.
I hope Jesus is your vein of gold.
When there are thousands of glowing Christians in this country
we don't need strategies or money.
The only thing we need is for us to be where we are -
and the message will spread.
An influenza doesn't need strategy, money or structures.
It needs people who touch and become close to one another.
The pure Gospel is a thousand times more contagious than an influenza.
Therefore I say as Paul said, -
I'm not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God -
and it brings salvation to everyone who believes it.
What a friend we had in Kalevi.
There is not much to add. I lead us to prayer.
Jesus, our Savior.
We've spent a moment before you.
We have remembered our friend and colleague Kalevi Lehtinen.
It has brought You closer to us -
and made You dear to us, because of what he has taught us.
We pray that you would set us on fire, -
so that we would become glowing Christians touched by You -
and who touch each other and Your love would spread.
Thank You, that we can be Your children.
Thank You, that You use us just like we are.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May He look upon you with kindness, and give you His peace.
Go with Him, amen.