Who are we?
Fredheim Arena (formerly Indremissionsförbund Sandnes) is a prayer house assembly that since 1943 has been engaged in varied missionary work in Sandnes.
We are part of a diverse prayer house movement in Norway, and are affiliated with the Indremissionsförbund, which conducts assembly work, school work and other missionary activities throughout the country.
The Assembly builds all of its work on the Word of God and the Evangelical Lutheran Confession, but we want to include people from other confessional backgrounds who will work in loyalty to our vision and doctrinal foundation.
The assembly is registered as an association, not a denomination. In practice, this means that the assembly consists of members with different church backgrounds and church affiliations. A member of the assembly can be one who professes Jesus as his Savior and Lord, and who will work for the good of the congregation, loyal to our laws, our vision and our statutes.
What do we think?
Fredheim Arena believes and professes that the entire Bible is the word of God. We believe everything we need for salvation, and everything we need for our Christian life, is found in the Bible. We will, as far as possible, seek to preach and live in accordance with the Bible's radical challenge to live a life of God's glory!
We believe that God, the Father, is the One who created everything and that He has a unique love for all people. At the same time, God is a holy God, a God who takes sin and rebellion seriously. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He is God and sent by God to reconcile us with His Father. Jesus is the only way to God, and it is through faith in Him and His perfect work of salvation that we return to our God-given purpose. The Gospel is the good news of Jesus' death and resurrection, and is the message that has the power to reconcile us to our Father and Creator.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is given to guide us to the whole Truth, and at the same time the Spirit will be the force in our lives that shapes us into the people God has created us for. We believe that all Christians need a vibrant and active relationship with the Christian community. Here faith is nourished, and here we are equipped for service with the gifts God has endowed us with. We believe that the Mission Commandment is our common mission. All Christians are called to contribute so that the Gospel can be preached and followed among all peoples.
What do we do?
Fredheim Arena is a church where you get a safe and firm framework for the whole Christian life, from cradle to grave. We are a multigenerational community whose goal is to be able to provide assistance in faith and following Jesus through all stages of life. You will therefore find schemes aimed at helping all age groups to live as followers of Jesus. The children have own offers during our church services at 11 a.m. Teens and young people gather for their own communities, classes and groups, while also being an active part of the larger community.
Our church services on Sundays at 11:00am, together with house churches and service groups, are the place for fellowship and equipping to live credible Christian lives in our everyday lives. Nevertheless, the most important “service” for a Christian is always connected with home and everyday life! In the Fredheim Arena we regularly celebrate communion both in our church services and in our smaller communities. We baptize children of parents who are members or active in the congregation, and also offer a separate graduation offer. We also offer nuptials, and also want to offer those getting married a marriage preparation scheme. Also at the end of life we want to be present with care and help.
Through our diaconal work we want to offer care to the congregation, through deacons, and also externally through”Heart palpitationsand Super Saturday. We have a desire to mean something to the people of the city and the region. In 2024, we also began to build up a care center, which will offer among family counseling and soul care. Here we have connected with different people with different skills.
Where do we want to go?
In the Acts of the Apostles, the first Christians were referred to as “those who heard the way of”. As Christians, we follow Jesus. He is the one who leads us, both to new challenges here, and to our homeland, Heaven!
The Assembly has selected four “venues” we will give an additional focus until 2025. We want to focus on the fact that both our private homes and our common congregational home shape Jesus' followers. Furthermore, we will strive to mean more for our city, Sandnes, both through evangelism and diaconal efforts. In our country, we will help renew existing communities and help plant new ones, and to the nations we will send missionaries and generously support good missionary efforts under the auspices of other missionary organizations. We have 3-4 regular mission missions, which run again. 90% of the collectives we take up in our worship services go to external projects.
Read more about The 2025 Strategy.
“
TO
MAKE
JESUS
VISIBLE
“
Our vision is “to make Jesus visible.” We are called to conduct a mission, to go forth with the Gospel, God's good message of salvation, restoration and eternal life by faith in Jesus Christ. Our mission is to be “an Arena where home and church shape Jesus followers”! We believe church is more than just something we do on Sundays, it is something that should and should shape our lives and our families every single day.
Our Values
Clearly
Our belief in the Bible as the Word of God makes us want to be clear and direct in our preaching and guidance.
Raus
As Jesus met people with grace, forgiveness, and care, we want the congregation to be characterized by the same attitudes.
Current
The assembly wants to find a style and form that communicates with the people of today. We will be close to life and provide help and guidance to face life as it is, here and now.
Genuine
Our goal is a community where we are real and true, where we keep life as it is. None of us are perfect people, but we can and will be real.
Employees
andreas.bjorntvedt@fredheimarena.no
40 21 13 00
Andreas is from Larvik and has been serving in the assembly since 2009. Trained as a theologian, Andreas is the general manager and holds the most administrative of the pastoral positions, while also having a special responsibility to move us towards the goals we have set ourselves. He is allowed to spend part of his time on a PhD in theology exploring links between early influence and established beliefs. Andrew likes when things move forward and is concerned that faith in Christ transforms all of our lives. Sits on pastoral management team, and works in the assembly closely up against the board.
In his spare time, he likes: Running, being with family, nurturing friendships, brewing good coffee, listening to melancholic music.
torgeir.lauvaas@fredheimarena.no
971 71 745
Torgeir has worked in the Assembly since 2023. He comes from the position of circuit leader in IMF Rogaland, and is probably the one who knows bedehus Rogaland best of all. Torgeir has a special focus on small groups, alpha and deaconry associated with his pastor position. Torgeir likes to preach in various settings, is creative, and can be said to be a multi-artist. He is concerned that congregational life becomes a charging station for infectious Christian life in everyday life. Sits on the pastoral management team and on the council of elders.
In his spare time, he likes: Be social, play accordion, conduct lifesaving classes
anne.marte.fossum@fredheimarena.no
41 16 45 67
Anne Marte has been working in the parish since 2019, and leads our children's church. She is from Horten and is a trained teacher. Anne Marte is neat and enterprising and is keen to see children and young people and that they should get to know Jesus. Anne Marte sits on the pastoral management team.
In her spare time, she likes: Family, Outdoors and Boat/Cabin Life
anne.lene.otteroen@fredheimarena.no
95 11 62 71
Anne Lene is one of the few on the staff who is actually from Sandnes. Trained Nurse and Family Therapist. She has been an employee of the Assembly for 20+ years. In addition to being a family pastor, she is also the national chair of Awana Norway and heads a foundation. Until now, she has had a lot of conversations and guidance related to her position, in the future Anne Lene will have a special focus on mentoring some individual groups, and participate in the strategic work. Anne Lene is passionate about relationships and family, and she is regularly at the head of family camps under the auspices of Youth in Mission.
In her spare time, she likes: To be with friends and family, go for a walk
elisabeth.kvindesland@fredheimarena.no
98 82 22 92
Elisabeth has been working in the Assembly since 2023, and leads, among other things, the graduation work and our young adult work. She is from Karmøy and is a trained protective nurse. Elisabeth is keen on relationship, and seeing the individual, and is passionate about giving new youngsters a glimpse of Jesus, as well as a deepening of Christian faith.
In her spare time, she likes: Knitting, drinking coffee, being with friends.
anne.marie.torressen@fredheimarena.no
90 60 55 09
Anne Marie has worked in the Assembly for 25+ years. In addition to being employed as office manager in the assembly, Anne Marie is also the general manager of Fredheim Arena Konferansesenter AS and Årsvollveien 19 AS. Anne Marie primarily works administratively. Most of what happens in the Fredheim Arena is somehow by Anne Marie, she herself has an extra care for the elderly in the assembly. She is also one of the deacons of the congregation.
In her spare time, she likes: Knitting, being with grandchildren and walking.
hilde.joy.vestol@fredheimarena.no
97 70 51 50
Hilde has worked in the Assembly since 2021. She is from Haugesund and is trained as a teacher, and leads, among other things, our tweens work on Fridays (Zoom) and work with our generational worship services. Hilde is a very creative person and preacher, and is passionate about tweens.
In her spare time, she likes: To bake and be with friends
andreas.friborg@fredheimarena.no
908 07 490
Andreas Friborg has been engaged in the Assembly since 2023. Andreas is from Førde, is a student, and is a very musical person while also having a heart for youth and Jesus. Together with Amalie, he leads our youth work TRE18 on Fridays.
In his spare time, he likes: Gaming, playing games, socializing, music
amalie.refsdal@fredheimarena.no
924 43 527
Amalie has been engaged in the Assembly since 2023. She is from Hundvin and is studying to become a kindergarten teacher. Together with Andreas, she leads our youth work TRE18 on Fridays. Amalie is a super positive person with a heart for youth and Jesus.
In her spare time, she likes: Playing games, being social.
Council of Elders
The Council implements the decisions adopted by the Annual Meeting and the Members' Meeting, which fall under the responsibility of the Council of Elders. The Council of Elders shall exercise a special pastoral and doctrinal responsibility by ensuring that the preaching and congregational life are in accordance with the Word of God and the Evangelical Lutheran Confession.
In the event of deviations or doctrinal disputes, the Council of Elders is responsible for guidance and admonition. The Council presents a report on the work of the Assembly as part of the annual report to the Fredheim Arena.
The Council of Elders currently consists of: Reidar Røyland (Leader), Rolf Eide and Torgeir Lauvaas (Pastor).
Board
The Board manages the finances of the Assembly and its properties. The board is responsible for the running of the assembly and has employer responsibility for the employees. The Board of Directors implements the decisions adopted by the Annual Meeting and the Members' Meeting and which fall within the Board's area of responsibility.
The Board of Directors currently consists of: Ståle Espevik (Chairman), Gry SkøtSkift (Deputy Chairman), Daniel Vasshus, Geir Egeland, Henrik Øvestad, Louise Håland and Elisabeth Håmsø (Vara). Andreas Bjørntvedt serves on the Board of Directors as General Manager in the Assembly, without the right to vote.
Assembly Councils
Property management
On this board sit: Geir Inge Fuglestad (Chairman), Arve Bjerga, Dagfinn Jensen, Hans Erik Bø, Roar Otterøen. Anne Marie Stene Tørressen sits on the Board of Directors of the limited liability companies as general manager, without voting rights.
Become a member
At Fredheim, the members, at the annual meeting, constitute the highest organ of the Assembly in all matters relating to the life and work of the Assembly.
Therefore, it is natural that there are some prerequisites for becoming a member, and through it being able to lead the Assembly.
- Persons who have been baptized and who have reached the age of 15 may apply for membership in the Assembly.
- Membership presupposes a personal Christian confession, and that one with it acknowledge Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord.
- Membership requires payment of fixed annual dues
- New members are admitted after personal conversation and are committed on the Assembly's vision.
- Members are expected to align their lives according to the Word of God and the values that characterize the congregation.