Fredrik Franson
Encyclopedia
Fredrik Franson founder of The Evangelical Alliance Mission
, of Chicago
, Illinois
, was born in Pershyttan, Västmanland
, Sweden
. In 1869 he came to America
to join two brothers, Frans and Eric. He was accompanied by his parents, a brother August, and a half-sister Anna. They settled in Saunders County, Nebraska
, where the family established a home, later known as the Roland Nelson farm, three miles north of Mead.
In 1875 he united with a little Baptist Church near his home in Estina, Nebraska
, and was baptised. He preached his first sermon in that school house where the Baptist Church held its services. The building still stands on a farm property and a marker placed on the spot where the church stood.
in 1876 hoping to meet the famous evangelist
D.L. Moody. He became a part of the church
founded by Moody and was trained by the evangelist
as a counselor.
Franson eventually returned to Nebraska
to minister to Scandinavia
n immigrants, but in 1879 he felt led to go to the Utah
territory to minister to some 30,000 Swedish immigrants who had gone there for inexpensive land. Franson's evangelistic endeavors were broadened to include the Mormon
s who had recently arrived in the Utah
territory.
Two years later Franson left for his homeland. While carrying on an extensive ministry in Europe
, he heard the well-known missionary
statesman, Hudson Taylor
, challenge people to go to China
with the gospel. From that encounter, Franson got a vision to form missionary sending agencies in various Europe
an countries, and before he left the continent, six such organizations had come into being: Danish Mission Confederation, Swiss Alliance Mission, German Alliance Mission, Finnish Alliance Mission, Swedish Evangelical Mission in Japan, and Swedish Alliance Mission. All six agencies continue to send out missionaries
to this day.
After arriving back in America
, Franson continued to preach. His desire to motivate others for cross-cultural missions led him to form a training class in Brooklyn
, New York
. In 1890 he founded the Scandinavian Alliance Mission in Chicago
, later known as The Evangelical Alliance Mission
, also several missions in Sweden
.
His first class on October 14, 1890, is recognized as the "birthday" of TEAM
, although the early name for the agency was "The Scandinavian Alliance Mission." This name reflected Franson's vision to bring churches together into an alliance enabling even small congregations to have a part in sending out missionaries
. Classes were also initiated in Chicago
, Minneapolis and Omaha
. Soon a formal board of directors came into being, and on January 17, 1891, the first band of 35 missionaries
boarded a train for the West Coast and eventually China
.
Photographs of these early missionaries depict a dedicated group of people who chose to live and dress as the Chinese
did. Other groups soon joined the first recruits, and Franson fervently challenged still more to go. In order to get to China
, the early missionaries
had to pass through Japan
, and that soon became a new field for the mission. In a similar manner, by 1892, a small group also went to Swaziland
in southern Africa
. In 1906 T.J. Bach and his wife left for Venezuela
, South America
. Bach would later become TEAM
's third General Director. In 1908, following one of his lengthy trips to the fields, Franson took several days off to rest at the home of some friends in Idaho Springs, Colorado
. One morning his host tried to wake him for breakfast, but he had died during the night.
, where he had gone for some much needed rest. His age was 56. Services were held at the Presbyterian Church in Colon, Nebraska
and burial was in Estina Cemetery, south of Leshara. His body was later moved to Chicago
into the Franson Memorial Building.
The Mission which Franson founded with 1 field and 50 missionaries
has grown under the guidance and blessings of God until today has well over 1000 missionaries
in over 20 fields.
His motto was "Forward 'Till Upward."
Two great-nephews remain in this area to keep his memory alive, Wallace Anderson, Colon, Nebraska
and Robert Franson, Springfield, Missouri
.
Franson left behind no family or estate. His legacy was a group of dedicated people whose desire was to take the gospel to all people. Franson's two passions-evangelism
and church planting
-continue to be the focus of TEAM's worldwide ministry.
The Evangelical Alliance Mission
The Evangelical Alliance Mission is an inter-denominational evangelical Christian missionary organization founded by Fredrik Franson. TEAM used to be called the Scandinavian Alliance Mission.-History:...
, of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, was born in Pershyttan, Västmanland
Västmanland
' is a historical Swedish province, or landskap, in middle Sweden. It borders Södermanland, Närke, Värmland, Dalarna and Uppland.The name comes from "West men", referring to the people west of Uppland, the core province of early Sweden.- Administration :...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. In 1869 he came to America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to join two brothers, Frans and Eric. He was accompanied by his parents, a brother August, and a half-sister Anna. They settled in Saunders County, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, where the family established a home, later known as the Roland Nelson farm, three miles north of Mead.
In 1875 he united with a little Baptist Church near his home in Estina, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, and was baptised. He preached his first sermon in that school house where the Baptist Church held its services. The building still stands on a farm property and a marker placed on the spot where the church stood.
Founding TEAM
His next years were spent traveling to many countries teaching and preaching. Sensing the need for more training, Franson went to ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in 1876 hoping to meet the famous evangelist
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
D.L. Moody. He became a part of the church
Church Body
A local church is a Christian religious organization that meets in a particular location. Many are formally organized, with constitutions and by-laws, maintain offices, are served by pastors or lay leaders, and, in nations where this is permissible, often seek seek non-profit corporate status...
founded by Moody and was trained by the evangelist
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
as a counselor.
Franson eventually returned to Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
to minister to Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
n immigrants, but in 1879 he felt led to go to the Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
territory to minister to some 30,000 Swedish immigrants who had gone there for inexpensive land. Franson's evangelistic endeavors were broadened to include the Mormon
Mormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
s who had recently arrived in the Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
territory.
Two years later Franson left for his homeland. While carrying on an extensive ministry in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, he heard the well-known missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
statesman, Hudson Taylor
Hudson Taylor
James Hudson Taylor , was a British Protestant Christian missionary to China, and founder of the China Inland Mission . Taylor spent 51 years in China...
, challenge people to go to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
with the gospel. From that encounter, Franson got a vision to form missionary sending agencies in various Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an countries, and before he left the continent, six such organizations had come into being: Danish Mission Confederation, Swiss Alliance Mission, German Alliance Mission, Finnish Alliance Mission, Swedish Evangelical Mission in Japan, and Swedish Alliance Mission. All six agencies continue to send out missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
to this day.
After arriving back in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Franson continued to preach. His desire to motivate others for cross-cultural missions led him to form a training class in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. In 1890 he founded the Scandinavian Alliance Mission in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, later known as The Evangelical Alliance Mission
The Evangelical Alliance Mission
The Evangelical Alliance Mission is an inter-denominational evangelical Christian missionary organization founded by Fredrik Franson. TEAM used to be called the Scandinavian Alliance Mission.-History:...
, also several missions in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.
His first class on October 14, 1890, is recognized as the "birthday" of TEAM
The Evangelical Alliance Mission
The Evangelical Alliance Mission is an inter-denominational evangelical Christian missionary organization founded by Fredrik Franson. TEAM used to be called the Scandinavian Alliance Mission.-History:...
, although the early name for the agency was "The Scandinavian Alliance Mission." This name reflected Franson's vision to bring churches together into an alliance enabling even small congregations to have a part in sending out missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
. Classes were also initiated in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Minneapolis and Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. Soon a formal board of directors came into being, and on January 17, 1891, the first band of 35 missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
boarded a train for the West Coast and eventually China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Photographs of these early missionaries depict a dedicated group of people who chose to live and dress as the Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
did. Other groups soon joined the first recruits, and Franson fervently challenged still more to go. In order to get to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, the early missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
had to pass through Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and that soon became a new field for the mission. In a similar manner, by 1892, a small group also went to Swaziland
Swaziland
Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...
in southern Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. In 1906 T.J. Bach and his wife left for Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. Bach would later become TEAM
The Evangelical Alliance Mission
The Evangelical Alliance Mission is an inter-denominational evangelical Christian missionary organization founded by Fredrik Franson. TEAM used to be called the Scandinavian Alliance Mission.-History:...
's third General Director. In 1908, following one of his lengthy trips to the fields, Franson took several days off to rest at the home of some friends in Idaho Springs, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. One morning his host tried to wake him for breakfast, but he had died during the night.
Death and legacy
Fredrik Franson died August 2, 1908, in Idaho Springs, ColoradoColorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, where he had gone for some much needed rest. His age was 56. Services were held at the Presbyterian Church in Colon, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
and burial was in Estina Cemetery, south of Leshara. His body was later moved to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
into the Franson Memorial Building.
The Mission which Franson founded with 1 field and 50 missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
has grown under the guidance and blessings of God until today has well over 1000 missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
in over 20 fields.
His motto was "Forward 'Till Upward."
Two great-nephews remain in this area to keep his memory alive, Wallace Anderson, Colon, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
and Robert Franson, Springfield, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
.
Franson left behind no family or estate. His legacy was a group of dedicated people whose desire was to take the gospel to all people. Franson's two passions-evangelism
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
and church planting
Church planting
Church planting is a process that results in a new Christian church being established. It should be distinguished from church development, where a new service, new worship centre or fresh expression is created that is integrated into an already established congregation...
-continue to be the focus of TEAM's worldwide ministry.