An Early EFCA Evangelist

Carl Oscar Sahlstrom was born in Sweden and immigrated to the U.S. in 1879. After accepting Christ as his Savior, he became a prolific evangelist in Sweden. After arriving in the U.S., he was ordained in 1881 in Fremont, Nebraska, where he served at least seven churches interspersed with long stints as a field evangelist for the EFCA.

His sermons were known for his evangelistic fervor and he continued ministry into his 90s, before his death at home in Milaca, Minnesota. 

He had a special relationship with the young Reverend Gustaf Johnson, a renowned preacher. Together, they were known as the Elijah and Elisha of the Texas EFCA churches. Johnson’s ordination was even privately done by Sahlstrom, much like Elijah and Elisha.

Dozens of young men were called to the ministry through Sahlstrom and his life is a challenge to us today to be mentors for younger ministers of the gospel. 

You can check out his last transcribed message on pages 8-9 of the December 26, 1944, Evangelical Beacon, which set a precedent for the EFCA emphasis on the gospel today.