Photo: Wikipedia
Danish evangelist Torben Søndergaard was arrested and detained on July 4 by Homeland Security for suspicion of “smuggling weapons from Mexico to America.”
Founder of the movement The Last Reformation, Torben said he was held in isolation at Baker County Detention Center in Macclenny, FL. On his website, the 45-year-old wrote on what he called an unreal experience of his life.
Torben said he was in California with his wife and kids after finishing up a Bible school over the border in Mexico. He explained that many of their helpers go to and from Mexico and America several times a week, but clarified that they were not smuggling weapons.
When he was invited by the Department of Homeland Security for a meeting, he thought it was about his asylum case. He and his family fled to the US in 2019 after Denmark accused Torben’s movement of being cult-like and promoting controversial methods and beliefs.
I am truly THANKFUL for God putting me here!! Yes, it was HIM who did it! —Torben Søndergaard, Founder of The Last Reformation
Homeland Security found Torben as a national threat and decided to detain him. He was handcuffed and brought to Orange Jail before being brought to Baker’s Detention.
He wrote: “To come here was a shock. My room is very small. It is 7.13 feet or 2.3 meters. I am in isolation 24/7, where I can come out a half hour per day, and use the phone as I’m doing right now. Otherwise, I have nothing in there. The room is very dirty and moldy. I have not talked with the lawyer yet, and I actually don’t know what is going on yet.”
Despite being in detention, he was thankful for the prayers and support he received. He asked for continued prayers during these confusing times. “I want to encourage you all to pray for me and stand together with me, because this is an attack on me because I’m preaching the Gospel.”
He quoted the Gospel: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)
In January of 2020, Torben spoke with PBC Voice about his mission, The Last Reformation, and the worldwide movement to renew the churches by going back to the book of Acts. Members of his movement believe that the church should do what the disciples did, such as healing, baptism, practicing the gifts of the Spirit, and driving out demons.
Torben told PBC Voice, “It’s really all about people living their lives like Christ in their everyday lives. Once you have shown people how to do it, that fear is gone because now they have experienced it. And if you can do it one time, you can do it two, three times, two, three thousand times.”
Torben found similarities between his incarceration and Biblical characters who were also sent to prison unlawfully, but continued to do God’s work. Like Joseph and Paul, the embattled evangelist believes that God is behind all of what’s happening to him. “As I write this to you, I am truly THANKFUL for God putting me here!! Yes, it was HIM who did it! He has a PLAN with it all!!”
He added: “This is truly MY way for GOD to do what GOD has called ME to do!! What the enemy has meant for evil, God is turning for GOOD!! I have SO MUCH I could share with you about the last ten days! I have read the Word before, but it’s truly NOTHING like reading it in a jail – not knowing what will happen to you.”
Torben concluded his message with a request for prayers for him and his family. He trusts that the truth will be revealed in time and he will be free and granted asylum.
