Who was Peter Nordstrom?

Peter "Pekka" Nordstrom was born on August 1, 1913 in Hancock, Michigan's Copper Country. His parents, Oscar and Iina Nordstrom had emigrated from the Tornio River Valley between Finland and Sweden. During Peter's childhood, his father owned and operated a small store. Their family included nine children, of which Peter was about in the middle. Peter Nordstrom's parents were believers. His father cared for many responsible duties for America's conservative Laestadians. Their home was often used to lodge speakers and service guests. Peter lost living faith soon after confirmation. He received the grace of repentance at services in their home in 1936. 

Soon after his conversion, Peter became acquainted with Oscar Heikki Jussila, who was on a mission trip in America. Jussila encouraged Peter to come to Finland to study theology. Peter traveled to Finland in December of 1936 and started his studies the following year at the University of Helsinki. Many conservative Laestadian students there became very dear to him. During his breaks, Peter would spend much time at the home of O. H. Jussila in Alatornio. There he was asked to preach and serve for the first time at Christmas, 1938.

When the winter war broke out in 1939, Peter returned to his homeland. He continued his studies for one year in Hancock Suomi Colleges' theological seminar. After this, he served the American conservative Laestadians as a pastor. For the first few years, he served the congregation of Astoria, Oregon on the west coast, then Virgina, in northern Minnesota. In 1946, he moved to serve the Cokato congregation as their pastor. He served this congregation the rest of his life.

In August of 1942, Peter Nordstrom married a childhood companion Sylvia Heikkinen, who was a home economics teacher. Sylvia was a witty, straight-worded person, who was a real support for Peter's work. Their marriage was blessed with three daughters. Life as a pastor in Cokato was often very busy. Sylvia remembered she became accustomed to preparing food for very large crowds. Peter had a habit of inviting guests to eat with them and did not always remember to tell Sylvia about it.

In his later years, Peter Nordstrom remembered his University years with these words:

--"I was able to become acquainted with the Zion of Finland and be as a child in their midst. They embraced me in great love and even cared for me with the grace of God. They provided much needed advice and teaching. But most precious was this that they again and again blessed such a worthless young lad like me -- pronouncing the greatest gospel that is in heaven and on earth: the forgiveness of all sins in Jesus' name and blood."

With this same heart and mind, Peter wanted to continue the work of the God's kingdom to the very end. In his sermons, he preached the gracious gospel of forgiveness to penitent sinners. He often begged to hear that word of reconciliation for himself. In his sermons he brought out as centermost the preciousness of God's kingdom and the importance of being a believer. Other times he expressed his deepest feelings, relating of his own experiences of life. Once he recalled in his own humorous way how Paul Heidemann instructed him long ago while young servant. Paul told him to limit the preface before the speech so that it would not become more important than the main content of the actual sermon.

Peter Nordstrom wanted to preserve faith and a good conscience. He diligently strove to admonish people whenever he noticed their lives had such characteristics that were not, in his opinion, fitting for believers. On the other hand, he was humble enough to admit his own faults.

--"Imagine, what kind of stubborn fool I was back then," he would later admit.

Quite often matters had to be cared for by both parties with the grace gospel.

Peter Nordstrom felt it was sad and regretful that in the early 1970's a schism separated from the midst of the conservative Laestadians. Many dear relatives left the kingdom of God and he himself lost his occupation and his home. The remaining Cokato believers quickly formed a new congregation again and hired Peter to be their pastor. A new home was built for him in Annadale on the shores of Moose Lake.

In addition to serving his home congregation in Cokato, Peter traveled extensively to serve many parts of America. He was widely known and a beloved servant of the word. Invited by Finland 's SRK, he made three speaking trips to Finland, in 1962, 1973, and 1980. These trips, lasting a few months each, enabled him to cover much of Finland.

Peter Nordstrom handled many responsible duties for a long time in various positions for the central organization of Laestadian believers in America. For many decades, he was a board member of the Cokato congregation. He was also a member on the board of the central organization of Laestadian congregations and executive committee from its founding until his death.

Pekka Nordstrom was suddenly called through death to his heavenly home from this life in Toronto on the 17th of May, 1981. In the middle of his sermon began to feel very ill, which lead him quickly to his death. His final words were "Will you bless me?" When the gospel was preached, he soon fell into unconsciousness and slept away quickly.