for a time like this
Flavia Perez, director of the Heart Center Perez sees a new narrow entrance opening up into the darkest parts of Swedish society.
Flavia Perez grew up in the criminal gang environment in Stockholm, with roots in the Kartellen network. Today, together with her husband Leo, she leads the newly launched Heart Center in Stockholm, which aims to shine a light on the shadowy world she grew up in.
Flavia and Leo have just attended a funeral related to the recent gang shootings when we talk to her.
- 'We have attended several funerals based on recent events in Sweden. In the midst of grief and pain, we can still spread hope, she says quietly.
She is excited about the two-story building a stone's throw from Skogskyrkogården metro station with 300 square meters of space, which the Heart Center has been given access to.
- "We got the keys in the summer and have started to work very slowly this fall. We have renovated the premises and have started with counseling sessions, support sessions, Bible school and other gatherings," continues Flavia Perez, who envisions a number of activities in the building.
These include motivational lectures, 12-step programs, celebrate recovery, lectures for parents, for co-dependents, and lectures on mental illness.
- We will also have lectures on grief processing and on trauma: what it is and how to process it. In many dysfunctional families in vulnerable areas, a large number of young people have been traumatized, it has become normalized there, says Flavia, who herself will graduate as a crisis, trauma and grief counselor in December.
Flavia Perez is clear about her mission.
- "Regardless of ethnicity, faith or background, people should be able to come and have their needs met, be acknowledged and seen," she explains, describing the warm and welcoming community in the Sunday evening services at Folkkunga Church as one of the gateways.
- "A lot of people who come there and encounter this warm atmosphere start to realize that 'Wow, I'm really tired, I need help'." So most people have come to the Heart Center through these gatherings, but we also want people to be able to come directly from the street," she says.
- The Heart Center focuses on the soul, emotions and thoughts. Another important aspect on the road to recovery is physical training, for which Betz Assefa is responsible, she adds.
- Some come to practice fitness and fighting. Others come to get counseling support. It is a holistic approach to create a positive spiral, where spirit, body and soul - all parts - should work together," says Flavia, who notes that some have also come to the center via the Hearts second-hand shop in Haninge.
Flavia depicts the darkness that is today a reality for many young people, not least those in state-run treatment centers.
- They may be young people who have not yet reached adolescence and are cut all over their bodies due to self-harm," she says.
- I see a new narrow entrance opening up for us into the darkest parts of society. We are on the edge of it already. The darker it gets, the more we will have to shine the light. A lot of people are needed for what lies ahead, but we are moving slowly," says Flavia Perez.
She says that two people who received job training at the Second store in Haninge are now attending Bible school.
- Everything is connected. One of our strongest leaders is employed in the Second store in Haninge. And we have a large team going to the House of Mercy at the Christmas market on December 2. It feels like it's clear that the work is for a time like this.
- We enter into prayer and fasting, with communion, and use our spiritual weapons to bring freedom to the captives. We need to be vigilant, not wasting time on meaningless activities or getting bogged down in theological disputes. It is darker than ever. We need to submit to the almighty hand of God.
When he calls us out , we will go, not only in the gifts of the Spirit but also with the fruit of the Spirit," she emphasizes.
- We will flourish in the fruit of the Spirit, leaving behind a fragrance of love. Even if we mess up, we are still there. We as Christians should love one another.
Flavia Perez says there will also be a podcast room in the center. Together with Isabella Stakset they have the podcast "Helt ärligt" where they meet in a conversation about hope, pain, chaos, exclusion and parenting.
- We expect to release one podcast a month while we build up the business here in Stockholm.
Isabella Stakset, a trained alcohol and drug therapist, will participate in the Heart Center with counseling support and pastoral care.
- The need is huge in Stockholm. This is exactly at the right time. I chose to start studying because we meet people every day who have problems with addiction. It's not just drug addiction, we also meet people who have been victims of abuse, who have a co-dependency. These problems are so common," she says.
- It's perfect that the Lord put me on this course. These are the problems we face, and since we are working with people, we need to have solid knowledge.
Isabella Stakset sees a growing desperation in society and a growing motivation to leave a destructive lifestyle.
- I think it is because it has become so terribly dark. Just look at the news, there are shootings almost every day. Nowadays, family and friends are being shot. Almost every person we come across has someone who has passed away. It's extremely dark out here and the world is in turmoil," she says.
Viktoria Nordin will hold courses in grief processing and help Flavia Perez administratively with the structure of the Heart Center.
- It's great to be part of building up a successful
activity that provides concrete help to people, from Monday to Friday. The Heart Center is like a bridge between the church and the problems that exist in today's society. I believe that this is the future for the church, to meet the social needs that exist, says Viktoria Nordin.
Betz Assefa, who has been a personal trainer and motivational coach at the Heart Center since last summer, is also excited.
- We are now entering something new and exciting. It is important to be very responsive, we are not running into what lies ahead," he says.
Betz Assefa lectures in municipalities and schools about how he left gang crime behind and also visits churches in the Nordic countries and the rest of Europe.
- I talk about hope, that there is a good life despite the dark world we live in. I also talk about what Jesus has done in my life and describe how those listening can experience the same thing. It's like lighting a candle in a pitch black room, people are struck by God's presence. The light in us shines through, the power of the gospel becomes visible," he continues.
Betz Assefa draws parallels between sport and Christian life.
- Exercise is very important for the whole person. It provides well-being and prevents body damage, as research has proven. We need to have a clear vision of taking care of our body, which the Bible describes as the temple of the Holy Spirit," he explains.
- Exercise allows us to relax from the stressful life we live. It is about taking care of and loving yourself, and exercise also provides a discipline. The biggest problem for people today is to start looking at themselves with new eyes. Starting to take care of yourself is a workable concept. We feel better and become more receptive to receiving a better life.
The dream is for the Heart Center to have its own training facility.
- We are looking for a good location, but there is no stress.
Betz Assefaa's vision is clear. The words come thick and fast when he explains what he means.
- Loving people, going the extra mile, is about a long-term and everyday plan. Then we cannot be afraid of people, we need to dare to challenge ourselves. We should be a welcoming committee that unconditionally embraces those who have lost hope. The Lord does the work, but we need to be the arms that embrace those who come, Betz Assefa emphasizes.
- Jesus lives in us, it is about letting him out. It is an attitude, a mindset, an action-based starting point.
- We are to be stable, truth-bearing lights in a world where many falter. To be Jesus-like in all situations and to light a candle of hope, that is the dream. To do so, we need to break the cycle of caution and fear and see ourselves neither too high nor too low. We should embrace those who live in darkness and hopelessness, be father and mother figures to those who come.
Text: Ruben Agnarsson Photo: Rickard Eriksson