Sentermenigheten

Sentermenigheten (now Troskirken) is a Norwegian Pentecostal congregation based in Asker, just outside Oslo. It was formally established in 1994, growing out of a house fellowship with roots in Christian rehabilitation work in Oslo in the 1970s. That earlier work, known as Ten Center, was started by Ole Bjørn Urne and was connected to the Teen Challenge network under David Wilkerson. Ten Center developed into an active movement with rehabilitation, preaching and a Bible school, at times gathering several hundred young people for weekly meetings in Oslo. The community later established itself in Asker under the name Senteret, holding gatherings and house meetings, and in 1994 Sentermenigheten was formed. In 1999 the congregation moved into a purpose-built 3,300 m² facility at Solbråveien 49, constructed with extensive volunteer effort. The building includes a main hall seating 700, a cafeteria with a large kitchen, teaching rooms and offices. Sunday services are held at 11:00 with parallel children's gatherings. The congregation is multi-generational and multicultural, and runs children's and youth work, small groups, prayer meetings, teaching, camps and courses. It is active in local community life and international mission, with involvement in projects in Russia, Cuba, Egypt, India, Bangladesh and the Philippines. In 2002 it established the aid project Skap en forandring, supporting child sponsorship and Christian children's work in India; over 1,000 children have received schooling and support through the programme. During the 2015 refugee crisis, the congregation's camp facility Holu Fjellstue was used as an emergency reception centre. At the turn of 2013, Raymond Urne was installed as new senior pastor and a new leadership team was established. The following year the congregation joined the Norwegian Pentecostal Movement, and in 2019 it affiliated with Livets Ord Family, an international network of congregations. In summer 2025 the congregation changed its name from Sentermenigheten to Troskirken to clarify its identity and vision. According to its own website, the new name expresses 'faith in God, faith in His promises, faith in the life that springs from God's word and the power of the Holy Spirit.' The congregation is registered as a foundation with organisation number 870131682 in the Brønnøysund Register Centre. As of 2024 it had 133 registered grant-eligible members. It is led by a board and a pastoral leadership team. The congregation has also experienced periods of internal tension and criticism; in 2005 media coverage featured former members criticising the congregation's leadership and practices, which was rejected by the congregation at the time. Later the leadership expressed a desire for reconciliation, and in 2016 a public apology was issued for circumstances that had caused pain and distrust. The congregation then entered a period of reflection, restructuring and renewed grounding in its values. In 2020 it started Troskonferansen, an annual conference focusing on faith teaching, the power of the Holy Spirit and mission, organised in cooperation with national and international partners and gathering participants from across the country for preaching, worship and fellowship.

The history of Sentermenigheten (now Troskirken) begins with Christian rehabilitation work in Oslo in the 1970s. This work, known as Ten Center, was started by Ole Bjørn Urne and was connected to the Teen Challenge network under the leadership of David Wilkerson. Ten Center developed into an active movement with rehabilitation, preaching and a Bible school, and at times gathered several hundred young people for weekly meetings in Oslo. Over time the community established itself in Asker under the name Senteret, holding gatherings and house meetings. In 1994 Sentermenigheten was formally established. In 1999 the congregation moved into a newly built assembly hall at Solbråveien 49 – a 3,300 m² building erected with extensive volunteer effort. The building includes a main hall seating 700, a cafeteria with a large kitchen, teaching rooms and offices. In 2002 the congregation established the aid project Skap en forandring, which supports child sponsorship and Christian children's work in India; over 1,000 children have received schooling and support through the programme. During the refugee crisis in 2015, the congregation's camp facility Holu Fjellstue was used as an emergency reception centre. At the turn of 2013, Raymond Urne was installed as new senior pastor and a new leadership team was established. The following year the congregation became part of the Norwegian Pentecostal Movement (Pinsebevegelsen i Norge), and in 2019 it joined Livets Ord Family, an international network of congregations. Throughout its history there have also been periods of internal tension and criticism. In 2005 media coverage featured former members criticising the congregation's leadership and practices; this was rejected by the congregation at the time. Later the leadership expressed a desire for reconciliation, and in 2016 a public apology was issued for circumstances that had caused pain and distrust. The congregation then entered a period of reflection, restructuring and renewed grounding in its values. In summer 2025 the congregation changed its name from Sentermenigheten to Troskirken to clarify its identity and vision. According to the congregation's own website, the new name expresses 'faith in God, faith in His promises, faith in the life that springs from God's word and the power of the Holy Spirit.' In 2020 the congregation started Troskonferansen, an annual conference focusing on faith teaching, the power of the Holy Spirit and mission, organised in cooperation with national and international partners and gathering participants from across the country for preaching, worship and fellowship. The congregation is registered as a foundation with organisation number 870131682 in the Brønnøysund Register Centre. As of 2024 it had 133 registered grant-eligible members. It is led by a board and a pastoral leadership team.

• Ten Center rehabilitation work started in Oslo by Ole Bjørn Urne, connected to Teen Challenge.

• Sentermenigheten formally established.

• Moved into new 3,300 m² facility at Solbråveien 49, Asker.

• Established aid project Skap en forandring supporting children in India.

• Media criticism from former members; rejected by congregation at the time.

• Raymond Urne installed as new senior pastor; new leadership team established.

• Joined Pinsebevegelsen i Norge (Norwegian Pentecostal Movement).

• Holu Fjellstue used as emergency reception centre during refugee crisis.

• Public apology issued for past pain and distrust.

• Joined Livets Ord Family international network.

• Troskonferansen annual conference started.

• Name changed from Sentermenigheten to Troskirken.

A clear, generous and warm church; multi-generational and multicultural Pentecostal congregation.

• Sunday services

  Held every Sunday at 11:00 with parallel children's gatherings.

• Troskonferansen

  Annual conference focusing on faith teaching, the power of the Holy Spirit and mission.

• Skap en forandring

  Aid project supporting child sponsorship and Christian children's work in India.

1. 1Troskirken official websitetroskirken.no
2. 2Troskirken - Wikipedia (Norwegian)no.wikipedia.org
3. 3Wikidata entrywikidata.org