Hans Egede, Norway, Missionary

June 4. Hans Egede. Egede was a pastor in Norway. Seven hundred years after Eric the Red colonized Greenland, Egede stood staring west. He knew Eric the Red’s colony had survived into the 1400s, but no word of survivors had come to Norway—not for several centuries.

As Egede stood looking toward Greenland, in his spirit, he heard a voice tell him to search them out, to pastor them.

It took him 13 years to get ready. He had one wife, four children, and a year’s worth of provisions. And he set his mind to bring the gospel to Greenland. On this date in 1721, Egede first spotted Greenland from the ship.

Even the walruses know enough to trust God.

Blue and white monster icebergs—some as big as a whole town—shifted in the raging water and threatened any ship that dared approach the coast of Greenland.

Through the iceberg maze, the ship called Hope maneuvered. And the ship’s captain got more and more agitated at the icy labyrinth that churned ahead of him. And the captain got more and more agitated under the long strain. And the captain got more and more agitated at the man who had spearheaded the voyage—Hans Egede.

“Storms beat them about, contrary winds drove them back. …The ship rolled and tossed on the mighty waves, and was well-nigh dashed in pieces.”

The sailors cursed and the shipboards moaned and Captain Kitterick stormed into the stateroom where Egede, his wife Gertrude, and their four children sat with a small group of passengers bound for Greenland.

“Pastor! It’s all over with us!” he bellowed. “The [cargo boat] has signaled she has run against an iceberg… and is in danger of sinking… I fear the same will happen to us. You have brought us into this straight, now up with you, and give directions how we are to extricate ourselves if you are indeed a man of God!” Kitterick’s anger was clearly aimed at Egede, who had been comforting the women and children in the stateroom instead of joining the sailors on deck.

Egede’s courage was clearly being challenged, but he knew only one Pilot who could steer this ship to safety—and it was neither Kitterick nor himself.

So he left the passengers with a promise: “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them” (Psalm 145:18–19 ESV).

Then Egede dutifully followed the captain back to the deck.

The mountainous bergs dipped and jabbed at the sky—a serious menace. At any moment, the icebergs could crash together and crush the ship.

But Egede saw a moving table of ice, and on it, a herd of walruses relaxed peacefully. It was just like when the disciples were in a violent storm, and Jesus slept in the back of the boat. The disciples cried out, “Master, don’t you care that we perish?” (Mark 4:38 RGT).

But Jesus knew God was to be trusted. Now these great, bulbous creatures seemed oblivious to the storm.

God filled Egede with a settled confidence that He would see their ships through the storm.

Thirty-six hours later, the gale winds stopped, and the stars became visible again. But where was Captain Kitterick?

Hours earlier, he had left the crew to escape into his flask of whiskey, so he was in no condition to appreciate the stars. Egede had gotten up from his prayers, and he was thankful. Soon the ship landed safely on the shores of Greenland. God could be trusted.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled; neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27 ESV). Have you ever been tossed into a situation that tried your faith? Consider how God might be preparing you for a greater mission. Even the walruses know enough to trust God.

“Hans Egede.” History of Greenland. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Accessed May 8, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hans-Egede.

Nieritz, Gustave. Hans Egede, Missionary to Greenland. The Fatherland Series. Philadelphia: Lutheran Board of Publishers, 1876.

Hans Egede’s House—the Oldest House in Greenland