Most people don’t think of Norway when they think of missionary movements. But in the late 1700s, a young farmer named Hans Nielsen Hauge was ignited by the Holy Spirit in a way that would spark revival, empower the poor, and transform an entire nation. I’ve always admired him.
At just 25 years old, while working in the fields, Hauge had a profound encounter with God. He described it as being filled with “indescribable joy,” and from that moment on, he began to preach wherever he went. On foot, by boat, through villages and cities. Calling people not just to religion, but to a living relationship with Jesus.
His obedience was costly. Hauge was imprisoned 14 times for preaching outside the state church. He faced persecution, isolation, and suffering. But he never stopped. Why? Because he wasn’t fueled by anger or ambition. He was driven by love for God and for the people of Norway.
What makes Hauge’s story remarkable is that his mission wasn’t just spiritual. It was holistic. He helped establish businesses, encouraged education, and uplifted the poor. His vision of discipleship included farming, trade, publishing, and community reform. He believed in empowering ordinary people to live extraordinary lives for the glory of God.
Through his obedience, Hauge helped lay the foundation for the modern Norwegian economy and inspired a wave of lay-led revival that influenced missions for generations to come. Some say his impact was so profound, it shaped the spiritual DNA of Norway itself.
Hans Nielsen Hauge didn’t go overseas, but he lived as a missionary. His pulpit was the road, the workplace, and the prison cell. His message was simple: live holy, work hard, and love deeply.
Today, we remember him not just as a preacher but as a reformer. One who walked in intimacy with God and changed history through obedience. His life reminds us: one person, fully surrendered to love, can ignite a movement.
Take a moment to reflect on how God is calling you in this season.
- Where is your “field”? Are you listening for God’s voice in the ordinary moments of your life?
- What would radical obedience to Jesus look like in your current season?
- How can your work, whether in business, ministry, education, or the home, become a platform for Kingdom impact?
- Are you living from love, or from pressure to perform?
- Who around you could be empowered if you simply said yes to God?