Whitehead, Charles (President)

 

In March 2008 when I was the CO in Drammen corps I heard about an interdenominational pastors meeting in Asker. It was on a busy day, but I managed to find the venue just as it was going to start. When I opened the door, and entered - one in the congregation exclaimed: "Praise God - there comes an interpreter."

It was a great experience to listen to Charles Whitehead as he shared that The Roman Catholic Church  had 180.000 members who had experienced a Charismativ Renewal - Whitehead served as President and the leader-team had an office in the Vatican and Pope John Paul II - used to visit them when the leader-team had their meetings. 

In this link you can find more information about the movement.

Bramwell Tillsley, General

 I interpreted Bramwell Tillsley under:

"Two Days with the Word"

in Oslo Feb. 1993 just before he was elected General

It was a blessing to interpret solid scripture-forcused teaching! 

Biography

Tillsley has written extensively for Salvation Army periodicals and is the author of several books:

"Life in the Spirit" 

"This Mind in You" 

"Life More Abundant" 

"Manpower for the Master"

Swanson, Sue & Barry C. Swanson, Commissioner (CoS)

I interpreted Sue & Barry Swanson at 

The annual Congress in June 2012 

Already in the 'pre-meeting' for the retired officers I understood that this was going to be a blessed time. In addition to the main guests of the Congress, the florist Finn Schjøll was invited and made a presentation in which he involved Sue - they straight away were in tune, and with a smile her husband commentet to me: "The two of them are made for each other!".

It was a delight to interpret both Sue and Barry - what they had prepared to share was so in line with the spiritual 'climate' at the time. I had for some years seen something in Isaiah that resembled a sandwich - and in the last meeting of the congress Sue confirmed the 'fill of the sandwich. (I don't think that it is a coinsidence that all three parts now had been confirmed during a congress by three individual guest-speakers). 

Biography Barry S. Swanson

Ed Silvoso, Pastor

I interpreted Pastor Ed Silvoso in:

A one-day seminar on Prayer-Evangelism in Oslo May 2002

Biography

Ed Silvoso is Director of Harvest Evangelism. He worked for several years in crusade outreaches with his brother-in-law, evangelist Luis Palau, before founding Harvest Evangelism to assist the church in Argentina in reaching the entire nation for Christ.

He travels all over the world to encourage pastors to work together to reach and win their cities for God.
It was a blessing to interpret him - and I felt that I knew him through his books. He is very eager to see women released in ministry.

Silvoso has written a number of books, e.g.:

"That none should perish"

"Prayer-Evangelism"

"Women: God´s secret weapon"

"Anointed for business"

You find more information in this link

 

Reinder Schurink, (Commissioner)

I interpreted Reinder Schurink after he had retired on a visit to
Norway and Oslo Temple in June 2002.

I remember his sermons and particularely his illustrations from 'lived life' both in his own ministry and faith-stories of some of his colleagues.

That Magna and I should be responsible for the pioneer-work he had started whilst leading the work in Russia hadn't even touched my wildest imagination. In 1993 Schurink opened the work in Ukraine and Georia and in 1994 in Moldova.  

Harry Read, Commissioner

I interpreted Commissioner Harry Read in:

"Days of Inspiration" in Kristiansand Feb. 1994

Biography

Harry Read was born in UK 17 May 1924. Read has been Principal of the International Training College, Chief Secretary - second in command - for the Canada and Bermuda Territory,
and Territorial Commander - leader - for the Australian Eastern Territory and the British Territory. He was a nominated candidate for the Generals office in 1986 and has witten extensively for
Salvation Army periodicals and is the author of e.g. "Words of Life". Read was promoted to glory in 2021, and received The Order of the Founder in 2019: 

Here is a link to a video about his life

Oliver Raper, Pastor

I was Pastor Raper´s interpreter for:

The introduction of the "From minus to plus" campaign in Bergen 1995/96

Biography
Pastor Oliver and Brigitte spent almost 15 years working with Pastor Reinhard Bonke at 'Christ for All Nations', Oliver being the UK director of CfaN. They started CWM in 1995 and commissioned Truck 1 to be built in autumn '97. After leaving CfaN in '97, Oliver became the senior pastor of the Birmingham Christian Centre where CWM's main office was based until 2001. He is still going strong in 2026.

The purpose of Raper's visit to Bergen was to get all the churches to spread the booklet "From minus to pluss" to all the people in Bergen through door to door visitation to give each household at least one booklet. 

When God asked Reinhard Bonke to take this initiativ, Bonke's reply was: "Why me, You have put Africa on my heart!" 

God's answer: "You are not my first choice, in fact you are my third choice. The other two refused to do it." Bonke's answer: "If you want me to do it, I will make it my first priority, not my third!" (cited from my memory of Raper's sermon he was an excellent communicator)  

TSA in Bergen was part of the spreading of the booklet.