By: Azad Karimi
We get to know other cultures, and see how much we have to be grateful for in our own country. In a world with such a big difference between rich and poor and the wealth unequally distributed, we owe it to the poor to get their share of the cake they are entitled to
Interview
Norwegian Pastor Jan Inge Kringstad
By Azad Karimi
Herre Jan or Mr. Jan is an example of an intellectual with philanthropic, justice-seeking ideals who aspire to the happiness of people around the world.
Oh! At first I should clear to my respectful readers, Herre is a Norwegian word, it means Mister.
Herre Jan is very patient; very humble. His beliefs are accompanied by respect for his doctrinal manifestations. Therefore, he sees respect for human beings and belief in humanism in line with belief and respect for God and Jesus Christ.
I have seen many people who have destroyed and humiliated humanity and human dignity in the name of glorifying God and the prophets. They have forgotten or are doing it for their own purposes.
And the prophets served humanity and God to maintain human respect. This humanism is not new in Christianity when Jesus Christ says: I sacrifice for human beings and for the preservation of moral content.
I wish Mr.Jan Inge Kringstad happiness and lucky with his family.
Thank you!
Vestland-Norway
1- Please present yourself: Name, education, Civil status and...
. My name is Jan Inge Kringstad was born in Molde in 1955. After finishing school in Molde, I started at the Theological Congregational Faculty, and was ordained a priest in the Church of Norway in June 1980. The first year I served as a priest in the military, Brigade North in Troms. After 5 years as a priest at Stange in Hedemark, I came here to Haram in 1987 and was a priest here until September 2019. I married Kirsti Hol in 1979. We have 3 children, two boys 31 and 38 years old and a daughter 40 years, two grandchildren who all live in Stavanger.
2-What is your speciality?
. I understand as my interests. I grew up on a small farm 5 km west of Molde. As children, we used nature and the surroundings around us. We did not have our own car until I was in my late teens. The bike and the feet were the ones I used. We lived right by the sea, which became a natural part of life during the summer. Outdoor life and being on the farm with berry picking on the farm and in the field, work with firewood and snow removal were part of the work during the winter. I grew up in a Christian home with table prayer, evening prayer and church service, also with the house of prayer and meetings there. Early on, I participated in Christian youth work, later Christian camps, where the Christian mission was central to the world outside my small world. Commitment to the Christian faith, I was born into and grew up with.
3- When and how did you become interested in this field?
. The answer lies all in what I have written under question 2.
4- Who was your motivator?
. The motivation was that this was something I believed in and had become part of me and my family and extended family. Not being a Christian and abandoning the Christian faith was out of the question when it came down to it. I would deeply hurt my parents and others if they were close to me.
5- What was your parent’s reaction?
. Because Christian faith was so important to my parents, they rejoiced that I wanted to become a Christian and chose to go this way.
6- When did you become such a professional Pastor?
.The first year at the age of 25, I served my first time as a military chaplain for soldiers and officers. After finishing my first service, I started as a parish priest in the Church of Norway and it was until 2019 a total of 39 years as a priest 38 years as a parish priest.
7- Are you thankful and happy because of your activities as a Servant of Jesus Christ and religious leader?
. Good and direct question, Azad! In the '70s, I joined the Jesus revival that swept across the country and large parts of the world, at least the so-called western United States, Germany. We were ignited by the Holy Spirit in our faith, and were very bold in getting the Christian message out. It was a joy and honor to belong to Jesus. The ministry has been diverse; rewarding and demanding in meeting people and different situations. I have experienced that God, through His Holy Spirit, has given me what I need. Faith has sometimes been challenged, but through Bible reading, prayer, meditation, and in the Christian community, I have gained the joy and inspiration to continue in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.
8- How do you see the view about religion and culture?
. It’s also a good question. If we look at the Jewish way of thinking that we find in the book of Psalms, we see how fundamental faith in God is. God is, quite simply. Everything we are and have, we have from Him. God saved his people; he has done so today through Jesus Christ. He stands by his word and his promises. In earlier times, Christian faith and thinking probably influenced the Norwegian people more than they do today. For me, culture and Christianity belong together. Now culture has its own value. Seeing the culture from the Christian faith gives the culture both bigger and richer; everything is from God who gives both life and creativity and who keeps everything up.
9- Can you become one part of the cultural movement for motivation in youth or new generations in your country and so on?
. Good and useful questions. Now I myself have become a grandfather and belong to the older generation. Thinking first and foremost to be a supporter of what is good and builds society. Good attitudes healthy faith with courage to live and believe in God. We are all valuable and all have something to contribute.
10- How can you help our world become a better place to live?
. I have probably all answered under question 10, but will add. In our prosperity, we can give of our abundance financially to support children and young people. A few hundred kroner per month provide help with schooling and maintenance. We do not become poorer by giving richer either. We get to know other cultures, and see how much we have to be grateful for in our own country. In a world with such a big difference between rich and poor and the wealth unequally distributed, we owe it to the poor to get their share of the cake they are entitled to. We will be able to share the good news of a God who wants justice and who loves us.
11- Have you more words to say or suggest for our readers?
. Here are big and important questions that need to be kept alive in a time where we are becoming more and more individualistic both in our thinking and our way of life. Together we can help make the world better both for ourselves and for others in faith in God who will one day make all things new.
