Media Storm in Norway: Questions About My Prison Time and Integrity

Mar 1

The picture above is an AI-translated image showing some of the newspaper headlines and front pages from the last few days.

An Update to Our Friends Around the World

Dear friends,

Many of you have reached out in the last days because you have been following me on Facebook and other places and have seen that I am currently standing in a media storm here in Norway. Since much of what is happening is in Norwegian and Danish, many of you have been asking:

What is this media storm actually about?

Yes — I have truly been in a media storm, and it is not over yet. So let me share a short update in English. Next week, I will also release a full English video where I will share more details and concrete examples of how things are being twisted and used.

What Is This Storm Mainly About?

In headlines and public commentary, I have been portrayed as dishonest — as if my story about persecution and imprisonment is not true.

Some have claimed that I was not really persecuted, but simply a “normal visa overstayer.” Others have implied that I could have left prison whenever I wanted, and that I have used the case to collect money and profit personally.

There have also been claims connected to finances — for example that I owned the building we rented/used, that we raised large amounts of money, and that I personally kept it, and therefore should be “rich today with millions.”

So the core narrative being pushed is this:

Torben is lying.
Torben was not really persecuted.
Torben has benefited financially from it.

What Has Happened Recently?

Over the past days, I have been featured in multiple newspaper headlines and have been the subject of discussions in Christian media here in Norway.

I also participated in a one hour and twenty-minute unedited podcast interview, which has created strong reactions. The podcast is in Danish/Norwegian, but we have made an AI English translation available for those who want to read it.

Interestingly, on their own YouTube channel, around 95% of the comments have been positive toward me. At the same time, the host has been under heavy criticism for the way the interview was conducted. He asked me again and again for proof, but when I started to explain, he often interrupted and moved on to other topics. It became a very special interview.

The intensity of the attacks and rumors has been so strong that our international leadership team in The Last Reformation has issued a public statement. These are leaders from different nations who have worked closely with me for years. They are not “yes-people.” They know my life, have seen how I work, and they do not recognize the accusations now being spread — many of which are coming from people who have never met me and never worked with us.

You can read their statement below.

How Did This Start?

It began when a Norwegian pastor started sending warning emails to churches I was working with. He gathered what he called “evidence,” based on old newspaper articles and quotes from people I have not worked with for eight to ten years — and in some cases, people I have never even met.

He also went through timelines and material (including things we have publicly available online) and combined it with old media coverage in a way that created strong pressure on churches and leaders.

The Open Doors Podcast

Before Christmas, Lene and I were invited by Open Doors Norway to record a podcast where we shared our story. After the recording, I posted a photo on Facebook thanking them for their work and mentioning that the episode would be released soon.

However, the podcast was never published.

Open Doors Norway experienced pressure — including contact from Open Doors in Denmark — and during a period when Norway had a temporary leader, they were influenced to believe that my persecution story was not real and that I had not been truthful.

As a result, they decided not to release the interview. Instead, information about the situation was passed to the newspapers, which then published articles suggesting that I had been lying.

Old Material Resurfacing

In addition, an old warning from a Free Church Network in Denmark dating back to 2017 is once again being circulated.

Much has happened since 2017. I have spent years in the United States, including time in jail, where I learned deeply. I have served in Mexico and grown in many ways. Now, seven years later, I am back in Europe, and I do things very differently than in earlier years.

But despite that growth and change, old material continues to be reused as if nothing has happened.

What saddens me most is that some of the voices speaking the loudest are people who have never met me, who have never worked with our team, and who have never reached out to our leadership.

Others are people who only knew me many years ago — 10–15 years back — and who still seem to carry unresolved issues, and now speak as if they are experts on who I am today and how we work today.

A Biblical Principle

As Scripture says:

“The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.”

— Proverbs 18:17

That is why I have asked for a genuine third-party investigation, so that everything can be properly examined once and for all.

I have also appealed to Open Doors International leadership. I have asked:

Is this the right way to handle such matters? To invite us to share our story, then under pressure remove the interview and allow accusations to be published in newspapers?

I have invited them to conduct a proper investigation. They have legal teams and experts. My lawyer is available. Let us examine the facts concerning my asylum case and imprisonment in the United States in a transparent way.

It is striking that a U.S. Congressman, who has congressional oversight responsibilities related to federal agencies under the Department of Homeland Security — including ICE — reviewed the material and concluded that I was targeted because of my involvement in evangelical Christian ministry. Yet pastors and individuals thousands of kilometers away, without access to the legal documents, speak with complete certainty that this cannot be true.

Many of the specific allegations have already been answered in detail, and I will link to that information below rather than repeat everything here.

My Appeal to You

My appeal to you is this:

Let’s put the rumors aside for a moment and actually listen to what I am teaching.

Most of what I am sharing here in Norway is part of the series I have on my page called “Together.” It is a simple discipleship series about how to follow Jesus, how to make disciples, and how to see healthy movements grow.

It focuses on humility, servanthood, the fivefold ministry working together, and every believer being equipped to live out the Gospel.

If you take time to watch the teaching yourself, you will quickly see how opposite it is from many of the accusations being made. The heart of what I teach is not about control, money, or building a personal platform — it is about helping ordinary believers live a simple, obedient life with Christ and serve one another in love.

You can watch the full “Together” series here:
https://www.torbensondergaard.com/together

I also want to personally invite you:

Come to the meetings. Join us. Listen for yourself. See the fruit.

We have nothing to hide. What is happening is simple, transparent discipleship — and it is beautiful.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who is praying for us and standing with us in this time. We believe truth matters. And we are committed to walking through this with integrity, transparency, and faith.

More details will come in the English video next week.

Love and blessings

Torben Søndergaard

Resources

AI English translation of the podcast interview:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SSuzdVLTzMTNPI2GpIxvICcKl1B9ALGqGFvhvwWjYxw/edit?usp=sharing

The podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IZb4ZqcWGs

Answers and documentation (English):

https://www.torbensondergaard.com/eng_dagen

Public Statement

From the National Leaders Representing The Last Reformation Worldwide

In light of recent public statements and evaluations concerning Torben, and because we believe transparency is important, we as national leaders representing The Last Reformation worldwide want to share our position openly.

We serve in different nations — Switzerland, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Croatia, Canada, Mexico, and the United States — yet together we represent The Last Reformation internationally. For this reason, the recent public narratives are not merely local matters. They affect an international ministry, its leaders, and many individuals connected to it across multiple countries.

In recent weeks, conclusions and opinions about Torben have been shared publicly through church networks, media platforms, and individual commentary. Such statements can have significant and long-lasting consequences for a person, his family, and a ministry serving internationally.

Because of the seriousness of this situation, we believe it is important to respond clearly, calmly, and responsibly.

We have worked closely with Torben for many years. We know him not only as a public speaker and leader, but also personally. We know his strengths and his weaknesses. We have seen him acknowledge mistakes, take responsibility, and seek forgiveness when necessary. We have seen him receive correction and function within accountable leadership structures.

He is not a perfect man — none of us are.

But from our long and direct leadership experience, we know him to be sincere, transparent, and accountable.

Before documentation regarding his legal case was published on torbensondergaard.com, the material was submitted for legal review by a Danish attorney. It was published only after that review and approval. The website was not released in haste or emotion, but carefully and with professional legal guidance. The information remains publicly available for anyone who wishes to examine it independently.

It has also been Torben’s own expressed desire that an independent third party review the entire matter. He has openly welcomed the involvement of a neutral and respected external body to examine all documentation and bring all involved parties together for open and fair dialogue. This reflects a willingness for transparency and accountability.

We respectfully ask that the same level of careful, balanced, and transparent review be applied when public conclusions are shared.

Both biblical principles and basic standards of responsible communication require that all sides are heard before public judgments are made. When such balance is not clearly visible, it can create the appearance of pre-judgment — especially when information spreads internationally.

Spiritual leaders carry responsibility.

Media organizations carry responsibility.

Anyone who shares public accusations carries responsibility.

As national leaders representing The Last Reformation worldwide, we stand clearly with Torben and his family.

Not out of blind loyalty.

Not because we ignore weaknesses.

But because we know him personally and have carefully examined the situation.

Based on what we have personally reviewed and experienced, we are convinced that serious accusations currently associated with his name do not accurately reflect the full documented and contextual reality.

Our goal is not conflict.

Our goal is truth.

Our goal is fairness, clarity, and transparency.

We remain open to respectful and constructive dialogue.

If there is a Christian organization whose genuine desire is unity and clarity within the Body of Christ, and that is willing to serve in this matter with integrity and impartiality, we openly invite such an organization to come forward. We are ready to cooperate fully for the sake of truth, clarity, and the unity of the Body of Christ.

As leaders who serve under Christ and are accountable before God, we cannot ignore the impact that public words may have. Words influence people. Words affect families. Words shape reputations across nations.

We are confident that truth will stand when examined carefully and honestly. Therefore, we ask all involved to act with humility, fairness, and responsibility.

—

Joël Salvisberg (Switzerland/Germany)

Jón Bjarnastein (International)

Joah Sprenger (Netherlands)

Remon van der Kaaij (Netherlands)

Olivier Buadés (Canada)

Enco Pivac (Croatia)

Todd Peterson (Mexico)

Edouard Hastings (France)

Craig Cook (USA)

Kim Quistgaard Nielsen (USA)

National Leaders Representing

The Last Reformation Worldwide

Torben Sondergaard