Arne Riise

Arne Riise

Our beloved brother went home to God on Saturday, July 26. He was 67 years old. He was buried in Stavanger, his birthplace where he had lived most of his life, on Wednesday the 30th, with very many people in attendance.

We were three brothers who came to Stavanger in the autumn of 1938 for the first time, and we were received by Br. Riise and a few other brothers. We had meetings and gatherings, and there was revival. Believers as well as unbelievers came to the meetings and received a new view of life. As time went on, the revival developed into a fellowship of the Spirit among those who walked in the light. Br. Arne Riise grew forth, gained the trust of the others, and became their elder and overseer.

The church in Stavanger has had a glorious development during these years. Br. Riise was a good and firm pillar in God’s house during all the difficulties that arise when a large flock is to be built up as a body with Christ as its head.

Riise was self-employed as a barber. He leaves a wife, one son, and three daughters behind, as well as one daughter in-law and three sons in-law and many grandchildren. All of them are in the church and are a great blessing among us. By God’s wisdom he has served in the church in such a way that now, after his passing, there is a church that is developing rapidly, where unity and love rule.

The funeral and the memorial meeting were one great feast of thanksgiving to God who had given Br. Riise as a gift to the church in Stavanger and for the edification of brothers and sisters in many lands.

Brother Riise was appreciated and sincerely loved in the brotherhood, and when the friends realized that the chapel in the cemetery was far too small, the local Baptist fellowship was so kind as to put their church building at the disposal of the friends. There some of the treasures which a man can obtain by walking in the Spirit were revealed by way of testimonies and the many inscriptions on the wreaths. At the memorial feast in the Community Hall it was touching to see the very large group of young people who gathered to sing their praises to God for the blessing they had received through the church.

The day was a great encouragement for a renewed zeal for us who continue to live, to seek the heavenly things and despise everything that is of this world. This is how Br. Riise will always be blessed in our memory.