Classification Protestant Origin 1880s | Orientation Pentecostal Members 8,000 - 10,000 | |
The Free Evangelical Fellowship (Norwegian: De Frie Evangeliske Forsamlinger, DFEF), formerly called "The Free Friends" (De frie venner) is one of the Free Church congregations in Norway. The Free Evangelical Fellowship is a nationwide movement with sixty seven parishes and contact addresses in Norway. The churches are legally independent. It is estimated that the local churches comprise a total of 8,000-10,000 members. Churches are mainly in the south and west of the country. Its origins date from the 1880s, but it became an established organization after 1900 under the leadership of preacher Erik A. Nordquelle (1858–1938). Its "Home and Mission Committee" is a joint mission conducted in several countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. The Free Evangelical Fellowship believe in baptism of the Holy Spirit through speaking in tongues and healing by prayer. They also practice baptism and Holy communion (open to non-members). The movement's theological standing is seen as near Pentecostal, but they had historically separated themselves out to be opponents of the member registers. The Free Evangelical Fellowship is therefore not registered as a separate religious branch in Norway.