↑ Emerald Wedding July 17, 2026: Svein-Magne and Solveig Pedersen celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary at a restaurant. The celebration also provided a natural opportunity to share the gospel with an interested waiter.
On July 17 in the year of our Lord 1971, we were married at the Betel Pentecostal Church in Mosjøen. An ocean of experiences lay ahead of us. Now we can look back on a very interesting life. We took our calling with us and visited a restaurant.
We told the waitress that we wanted to sit in a booth. We got one. The pleasant waitress, around 40 years old, asked, “Why did you choose our restaurant?” I replied, “Because we like it here—and because you are here!” The waitress smiled and said, “Thank you for the compliment!”
When we were finished and were about to pay, Solveig said to her, “We are celebrating our 55th wedding anniversary today.” Surprised, she said, “Then I must treat you to a dessert.” We naturally accepted the offer and ordered coffee. “Thank you for choosing to celebrate your day with us! What is the secret behind 55 years of marriage?” she asked politely. Then the evangelist in me woke up: I replied, “Two things. First: Persevere through difficult times and do not give up.
↑ On the church steps 55 years ago: Newlyweds Solveig and Svein-Magne Pedersen on the church steps outside Betel Pentecostal Church in Mosjøen after their wedding on July 17, 1971, surrounded by family, friends, and witnesses. Fifty-five years later, they could celebrate their emerald wedding anniversary and look back on a long life together and active involvement in their service to God.
Next: Invite God into your life.” Inquiringly, she said, “Invite God in—what do you mean?” I replied, “We humans have an inherent spiritual dimension that animals do not have.” I grabbed my tract “5 minutes to heaven” and showed her two bridge illustrations.
The first bridge illustration showed a bridge over a chasm, from minus to plus. Due to our flaws and shortcomings, the first bridge breaks in several places, and we do not reach the plus side, where God is.
The second bridge illustration showed Jesus’ cross as the bridge over the chasm of sin: “Jesus was the only one who could build a bridge over the chasm, because he had no defect in his life. His flawless bridge is the only one that can lead us from minus to plus—to God’s side,” I explained to the waitress. She was listening intently.
The wedding celebration was a success! The waitress gladly accepted the tract. We had sown the word in a heart's door that was gradually opening, and she got to hear the gospel—in a busy work situation at a popular restaurant. The rest I leave to the Holy Spirit.
Svein-Magne
On July 17 in the year of our Lord 1971, we were married at the Betel Pentecostal Church in Mosjøen. An ocean of experiences lay ahead of us. Now we can look back on a very interesting life. We took our calling with us and visited a restaurant.
We told the waitress that we wanted to sit in a booth. We got one. The pleasant waitress, around 40 years old, asked, “Why did you choose our restaurant?” I replied, “Because we like it here—and because you are here!” The waitress smiled and said, “Thank you for the compliment!”
When we were finished and were about to pay, Solveig said to her, “We are celebrating our 55th wedding anniversary today.” Surprised, she said, “Then I must treat you to a dessert.” We naturally accepted the offer and ordered coffee. “Thank you for choosing to celebrate your day with us! What is the secret behind 55 years of marriage?” she asked politely. Then the evangelist in me woke up: I replied, “Two things. First: Persevere through difficult times and do not give up.
↑ On the church steps 55 years ago: Newlyweds Solveig and Svein-Magne Pedersen on the church steps outside Betel Pentecostal Church in Mosjøen after their wedding on July 17, 1971, surrounded by family, friends, and witnesses. Fifty-five years later, they could celebrate their emerald wedding anniversary and look back on a long life together and active involvement in their service to God.
Next: Invite God into your life.” Inquiringly, she said, “Invite God in—what do you mean?” I replied, “We humans have an inherent spiritual dimension that animals do not have.” I grabbed my tract “5 minutes to heaven” and showed her two bridge illustrations.
The first bridge illustration showed a bridge over a chasm, from minus to plus. Due to our flaws and shortcomings, the first bridge breaks in several places, and we do not reach the plus side, where God is.
The second bridge illustration showed Jesus’ cross as the bridge over the chasm of sin: “Jesus was the only one who could build a bridge over the chasm, because he had no defect in his life. His flawless bridge is the only one that can lead us from minus to plus—to God’s side,” I explained to the waitress. She was listening intently.
The wedding celebration was a success! The waitress gladly accepted the tract. We had sown the word in a heart's door that was gradually opening, and she got to hear the gospel—in a busy work situation at a popular restaurant. The rest I leave to the Holy Spirit.
Svein-Magne
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