Is it just me or does this little square feel incredibly peaceful? Baptistkirken i Rønne stands before us a testament to faith and community.
Baptistkirken i Rønne is part of the Baptistkirken i Danmark. The church is a free church. This means it is independent of the state. Yet it maintains close relationships with other Christian churches.
Bornholm’s Baptist community was founded in 1848. But the Baptistkirken i Rønne wasn’t built until 1888. Mathias Bidstrup designed it. He designed several other Bornholm churches too. The Baptistkirken i Rønne covers South Bornholm.
Let’s step inside to admire the mosaic windows. Artist Lise Færch designed them. Glasmaker Henning Kristiansen created them. Together they made something beautiful for the Baptistkirken i Rønne.
The first Danish Baptist community emerged in 1839. Baptists in Copenhagen broke away from the state church. They were baptized in Lersøen. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for Baptists in Denmark.
Today the Baptistkirken i Rønne is a vibrant part of the island. About 150 members come from all over Bornholm. Lone Møller-Hansen is the pastor. She guides the congregation in their faith.
Baptists emphasize personal faith. They only baptize people who actively confess Jesus. They value individual freedom to interpret the Bible. All members have equal say in the church. The Baptistkirken i Rønne welcomes all kinds of people.
The church offers many activities. There are activities for all ages. There is a Monday contact group. There are also women’s meetings. These are mainly for older people. Children’s prayers happen on Tuesdays. Evening prayers are on the first Tuesday each month. Wednesday mornings offer Bible meditation with coffee. The Baptistkirken i Rønne also has children’s and youth programs. Services are held every Sunday.
Baptists are active nationally and internationally. The Baptist World Alliance includes 45 million Baptists. This shows the global reach of their faith.
The Baptist Union of Denmark is small in numbers. But it is very active. Baptists hold services in 70 locations. Their Sunday school program is the oldest in the country. Young people play a vital role. They run two boarding schools. They support missionaries in Burundi and Rwanda.
In 2000 they partnered with others. Together they created SALT. SALT is a theological training center in Copenhagen. It is called the Scandinavian Academy of Leadership and Theology.
Old photos of the church are in the Rønne City Archives. Take a look if you are interested in the history of the Baptistkirken i Rønne.
As we stand here let us appreciate the Baptistkirken i Rønne. It is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a beacon of faith, community and history. A place where all are welcome.