International Evangelical Church in Helsinki, Sunday worship meeting. Our friendly church family, a diverse congregation from many nations around the world.

vision & values

Who we are, what we believe, and the people who lead us and where to find our latest teaching.

our story

IEC has welcomed the English-speaking, international community in Helsinki since 1976. Five decades on, we're still the same kind of church: a home for people from every nation who want to know Jesus and grow together.

our vision

Our vision is to be a home where strangers become family and hearts are changed through God's love, so that faith comes alive, lives are transformed, and hope is reborn.

our mission

IEC exists to be a spiritual home for the English-speaking, international community in the Capital City area, and to form disciples who live out the mission of Jesus in this world.

values

hospitality

God is deeply hospitable, having come in Jesus to open a way back home and waiting to welcome us (Luke 15). This is why we are passionate about not only sharing our homes with each other, but also welcoming strangers, practicing hospitality.
openhandedness

God is a giver. Everything we have we have been given. Jesus gave his life for the world. We have received forgiveness, salvation and the Spirit who helps us “understand what has been freely given to us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:12). In response we live open-handed, generous lives, choosing to give freely and joyfully from our time, talents, and treasures.
ministry

Jesus came to serve and calls us to follow him. Paul introduces himself in his letters first and foremost as “servant.” Serving is part of being a disciple as well as an expression of our priestly calling. We are here not for ourselves, but to serve our neighbour, the stranger and the world. Serving may require laying down our rights, leaving our comfort-zone.
encouragement

With our words and actions we build each other up, lift up the broken-hearted, encourage each other, cheer each other to live out our calling, to fan our gifts into flame, to carry on running the race, responding to the call, continuing God's ministry. We want to be known for our encouragement, not our criticism.

our leadership

Samuel Vogel

Serving IEC since 2013. From Germany, Samuel move to Finland in 2006 with his wife Elina, three children, Noah, Elia, and Sarah — has been part of IEC since 2007. Samuel loves music, languages, books, and football.

“I am convinced that Jesus is the best news this world will ever hear, and I'm passionate about his church.”

Senior Pastor

Willem Hickey

Serving IEC since 2002, overseeing administrative and financial stewardship and planning retreats and courses alongside volunteers. Willem met his Finnish wife, Hanna-Leena, in South Africa. They have three children Benjamin, Lukas, and Emilia.

“Practically serving people to dramatically change their circumstances”

Office Manager

Council Chair

Albi Odendaal

Albi works as a researcher in music education and has served as an elder in City on a Hill church in Potchefstroom, South Africa. He is married to Tracy and they have three kids.

“I want to know Jesus and make him known”

our church council