Birger Larsen †

Birger Larsen †

Our dearly beloved brother, Birger Larsen, passed away on Wednesday, January 12, in Kristiansand, where he had the main responsibility for the church for forty-five years. He was 82 years old. A long, faithful life devoted to God in laboring for Him and the church has now come to a close.

His mother came to the church in 1936 after she had heard brother Elias Aslaksen speak and was apprehended by his preaching of victory over sin. A couple of years after the war had ended, her son, Birger Larsen, went to sea as a machinist. His God-fearing mother prayed for him, and God worked in his heart. In 1947 he came home again and was converted. He was gripped of God, and at his first conference (Easter 1948) he also heard Elias Aslaksen’s radical preaching, particularly against everything that was great and stylish in this world. From then on it was clear for Birger Larsen where his home was. In 1950 he was married to his dear Hanna who was a daughter of brother Andreas Nilsen in Brevik. They had 7 children, 4 boys and 3 girls.

Brother Birger Larsen became the overseer of the church in Kristiansand in 1957 and was faithful in this ministry for the rest of his life. His son Magne Larsen and Tomas Nilsen took over the responsibility for the church in Kristiansand in November 2002 when Birger Larsen was 80 years old. Bernt Aksel Larsen, who is also Birger Larsen’s son, has had a good schooling in his home church, and today he is a faithful pillar in the church and a great blessing in Norway, as well as in other countries.

Birger Larsen was a very conscientious and righteous man right down to the smallest detail, including at his place of employment. When he retired he didn’t even receive as much as a flower as a “Thank you” for his efforts. However, this can be ascribed to the fact that there was a reproach over the church in the southern part of Norway, a church which Birger Larsen was privileged to see bloom and develop in spite of much opposition from many sides.

In connection with the church we remember him as one of the pioneers. He was utterly loyal to those whom God had put in the church, and in his life as well as his teachings, he guided everything according to what had been said at conferences and meetings.

He had a big heart for those who were wretched and humble. However, those who wanted to be “great” and sought their own were quick to experience that “God resists the proud.” Spiritually speaking, Birger Larsen also resisted such people.

We could sense that he possessed the Spirit of revelation, because he was always humble. He enlightened us in our understanding of God’s Word at conferences and gatherings, and the Word became so living for us when he spoke. The Word had become flesh in him, and we saw His glory.

“’He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.’ Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.’” Luke 16:10-15.

These verses describe much of our dear brother Birger Larsen’s life and message. This was a message to the children, the young people, and the entire church. He labored intensely to instruct the friends about righteousness in small matters. This was certainly one of the reasons he knew how to choose what was right when revival came in the ‘90s, accompanied by all kinds of accusations regarding unrighteousness. Birger Larsen knew what righteousness was, and he chose what was right. Time proved him right. The church in Kristiansand can thank their overseer of many years that he had taught them to hold fast to the truth and hate lying. Today the church in Kristiansand is blossoming as never before, and God can continue to bless the work that goes on there in their fathers’ steps.

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?” Matt. 24:45. His faithfulness in not being a respecter of persons, and thus bringing out what God was working, became more and more pronounced through his ministry. He consciously worked on being a shepherd in all situations, as well as when it came to exhorting to righteousness in money matters, etc.

Birger Larsens’s love of the brotherhood and fellowship was the reason why his private family life was, to a large extent, also the church life—house meetings in the homes, much visiting by elder brethren, such as Elias Aslaksen, Sigurd Bratlie, Aksel J. Smith, and William Gilbu, as well as other friends who happened to pass through on their travels—and not the least the young men of military age from around the country who were serving their time in the military in one of the camps in the area. They were zealous guests throughout the years. This was a great blessing for the family and for the church.

He acquired an old police vehicle at a time when few people had automobiles. He filled this vehicle with friends to go on tours in the countryside. Early on he understood the friends’ need for fellowship and a good time together. He gave what he had for the friends, even though the family lived simply.

It was a matter of course for him to travel to conferences and take part in gatherings and meetings, and he gave his children an understanding of the importance of it.

Birger Larsen was a minstrel. This was a gift he had which he used especially for his children, and as time went on, for his 33 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. As a father and grandfather he met the challenge of sowing God’s Word into the children’s hearts. The time he spent by their bedside with his guitar and/ or mouth organ was an important part of the children’s lives in the Larsen home. As a boy he had worked as an errand boy in a music store where he heard many of the current pop songs and ballads, and he would sing all the verses, word for word. He knew how to make use of this in family life in a pleasant way.

Birger Larsen was a knowledgeable person, even though he did not have a high education. He was particularly well-informed about world history, and he could relate many interesting details and items of interest that were generally far beyond the subject matter that the children were taught at school. It was always interesting to be around Birger Larsen.

He was especially happy when he retired early at age 62. After that he had a very rich time, traveling a great deal to the churches in various countries. Friends all over rejoiced when he came to visit them, and during the revival in the ‘90s, I could safely send brother Birger Larsen anywhere. He spoke God’s Word plainly and powerfully and left peace and blessing behind.

Therefore there is also peace over our dear brother’s blessed remembrance! Let us follow such faithful servants of the Lord!

May God mightily strengthen and bless his dear wife Hanna, and the entire family!