CEE Story From The Mission Field
Building Relationships in Latvia
November 27, 2006
Church is an important part of the culture but not really pertinent to the way people live. As it turns out, materialism is the true driving force behind most things that are done. The family unit is changing because everyone is out to make more money, which means holding down more than one job, both spouses working, young people leaving their home to move far away in search of that ‘pot of gold’ … Sound familiar? This isn’t America. It is the Baltic country of Latvia.
The hunger for “things” is a natural result of years of oppression under Soviet rule. Another natural result is that most of the evangelical churches that can offer real hope to the Latvian people are small and few in number. The national religion is Lutheran, but most people are practicing agnostics. Also, a small minority has revived a traditional national religion called “Dievturiba”—a kind of re-constituted nature religion.
This is the adopted home country of IMB missionaries Robert and Janice Mooney. They moved to Latvia 21/2 years ago and have spent much of their first term making relationships with other believers and learning about the culture of the people. In general the Latvian people are slow to open up to outsiders. This includes the believers. Building trust with them is time consuming. But Robert and Janice have been doing just that. “We’re seeing a new openness,” said Robert. “We were outsiders, but after sharing in their lives and ministry, they consider us a part of their group.”
“They even give us hugs when we see them now, “ added Janice.
Robert is now the strategy coordinator for the Latvian speakers of Latvia, as opposed to the Russian speaker of Latvia, and he acknowledges that the soil is hard and the work is slow, but they can see God at work in their midst.
The Latvian Baptist Union is one area where God’s hand is obviously moving. Robert meets once a month with a new leader to share vision and ministry ideas. He shares Robert’s vision of training new pastors and has goal of starting 100 new churches in 10 years. Since the capital city of Riga, with it’s surrounding area, is 40 percent of the population (one million people), Robert is hoping to plant 100 new churches in Riga alone. “This is someone we can work with,” said Robert.
Another place where God has been at work is a small bedroom community outside of Riga called Jurmala. “This is a beach resort town with a lot of new economy and commerce, but with only one small church that is struggling without a pastor,” said Robert. “We started an English language Bible study in Riga and two of the attendees that have been regulars are from that town.” Now, the Mooney’s pastor is talking about starting a new group in Jurmala. A year and a half ago, when Robert and Janice first mentioned starting a work in this town, the pastor wasn’t interested—now he is. God is changing his heart.
Please pray for Robert, Janice, and the Latvian Baptists. Pray that God would give them boldness and tenacity as they share the Gospel with the people of Latvia.