Kåre J. Smith’s 65th Birthday

Kåre J. Smith’s 65th Birthday

It is written that Jesus was a priest in the likeness of Melchizedek, according to the power of an end­less life. Heb. 7:15-16. During the couples’ conference at Brunstad in November we witnessed abundantly that it is this endless life that entitles a person to this priestly ministry in the church of the living God, not hu­man accomplishments and abilities. Our dear brother Kåre J. Smith’s 65th birthday fell on one of the conference days, on Saturday, November 14th, which provided an opportunity for a birthday feast that lasted late into the night. During the next day’s meet­ing many people continued to praise God for Kåre J. Smith and his caring life and ministry. We heard about a tremendous effort and capacity for work from the mouths of many wit­nesses, including his closest family and those who have been his closest co-workers for many years. How­ever, we heard first and foremost about a life, the life that a disciple of Christ lives before God’s face and not before man.

Some excerpts were read from the Letters of Johan O. Smith, which clearly express that what was on Johan O. Smith’s heart was continued by Kåre J. Smith in life and doctrine—especially when it concerns living his life and carrying on his ministry before God’s face, free from seeking the honor of man. Johan O. Smith writes in letter #59: “I would fall away from God if I sought the honor of people.” In another letter (#60) to his brother Aksel he writes, “Do your work for God and not for men, and then not even the manifold hosts of hell will be able to remove you from your work in Christ Jesus.” In these writings and others from the letters of J. O. Smith we recognize our dear brother Kåre J. Smith’s life and at­titude of mind.

It is impossible to repeat in a brief report everything that was said during the feast; but here are some samples.

The entire church, both young and old, sense that they are being borne and loved by our precious brother, and by his ministry the church receives ample nourishment for growth and progress. In letter #82 Johan O. Smith writes, “Com­munion with the Lord puts strength in the bones and gives satisfaction in the deepest recesses of the heart.” In Kåre this strength and peace that is the result of a hidden life with Christ in God is quite noticeable. In his devotion to God through which he received the testimony of the Spirit, the water, and the blood, he also experienced—just like Johan O. Smith did—that he had bitter enemies. In the midst of all this bat­tle and strife one thing occupied his mind: “So that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I re­ceived from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24. It is always a matter of a personal race in his personal life and of the ministry that is entrusted to him. Fellowship with our brother has always had a drawing effect to a deeper life in Christ. This drawing has also been noticed by the large group of young people; therefore it has not been necessary to build “high fences” to keep the young people inside. As the apostle Peter writes, our brother has been an example to the flock. Such people receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 1 Pet. 5:1-4.

Kåre J. Smith is a tested man. Many people have opposed him, but in all these situations he has had the revelation of the Spirit in God’s Word, and he has been able to strengthen the friends in faith and love. We are also reminded of what is written about Samuel: “And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord.” 1 Sam. 3:20. Consequently, the trust that is shown Kåre in the church is well founded. We know him as a servant of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God, as we read in 1 Corinthians 4:1. Johan O. Smith writes that one of the mysteries of Christ is to associate with the humble. It is precisely over such mysteries that Kåre is a faithful steward and can minister the gospel of God as a priest. His preaching is sharp, to be sure, but the undercur­rent of goodness and mercy behind his words makes it possible for the message to reach the hearts and cre­ate new life wherever it goes.

Through the many testimonies, we received an overwhelming im­pression of our brother’s care for the friends. It was made quite clear that he is fond of people. One brother mentioned that he had been privy to a telephone conversation in which someone had called Kåre. After­wards Kåre said that now a burden of care and intercession had been put on him for a long time to come. Many people like to preach, he said, but there are not many who want to bear burdens.

One of Kåre’s sisters had writ­ten down something that his father, Helge Smith, had recently said about his son. Even as a little boy he sat quietly and listened to conversa­tions that centered around God’s Word. He has low thoughts about himself and continues the work that was important to his grandfather, Johan O. Smith, to bind souls to Jesus Christ and not to himself. While she and her father talked about these matters they picked a random Bible verse which turned out to be 3 John 12: “Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.”

Kåre’s wife, Eva, was mentioned by many people, and she was thanked for the support and help she is to her husband in so many ways and thus also for the entire church. She testified that her husband’s life and preaching also affected her as a “Come!” and set her heart aflame. She referred to the scripture in Isaiah 48:18 where it speaks about peace like a river and righteousness like the waves of the sea and said this peace is typical of her husband. He has peace when he starts something, and when he has finished something he rests from his work in this peace. He is incorruptible and passes righteous judgment. He also says many things to create a pleasant atmosphere, but he never says anything that hurts or stings.

One of his daughters put it so simply: “What I am most thankful for is all the Christianity I have seen put into practice.” As a father Kåre has never required any of his children to be anything that was not natural for them.

Brother Kåre’s message during this festive evening was a sincere ex­hortation to the friends and extreme­ly fitting for the life that he himself has lived. He confirmed that it is true that he is fond of people and that he loves each individual brother and sister. Then he continued to speak about Ecclesiastes 11:1-2: “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a serv­ing to seven, and also to eight, for you do not know what evil will be on the earth.” We could ask ourselves whether this is wisdom. Yes, he who does it will understand the wisdom that is in these words. Let us do good while we have the opportunity. Gal. 6:9-10. Doing good while we have the opportunity is something that gripped our dear brother while he was still young. The opportunity comes unexpectedly, and suddenly it is gone. He exhorted us not to be so calculating and hesitant, but to do it now! Then we will enter into the work of God. The Lord wants to have a special people who are zeal­ous for good works.

Br. Kåre continued to speak about his youth during which he was par­ticularly gripped by God’s Word in the Bible as well as in the literature of the church. He read so avidly that the Word entered into his spirit. He made special mention of how Br. Aslaksen had spoken faith into his heart in his youth with the result that he was born again and received the power of the Holy Spirit to live a victorious life. In this connection he said that he had come into the work of others and he was a product of the brothers’ preaching. This applied in particular to brothers Elias Aslaksen, Sigurd Bratlie, and Aksel J. Smith with whom he was in intimate fel­lowship in life and ministry.

Concerning family life and child rearing, he impressed on the hearts of each father and mother to make sure they have fellowship with their children instead of causing bitter­ness in their hearts through impru­dence. Yes, we owe our brother a big “Thank you!” His life has been like a grain of wheat. Jesus says, “If it dies, it will bear much fruit.” The unity and fellowship that reign in the church today are largely a fruit of his life and ministry. The visions that Johan O. Smith had concerning the church have thus been realized. May God give strength and health for further service, and bless his wife, his children, and his grandchildren.