Baltic Church Planting

Alexander was born into a Christian family in Belarus; he is a third generation Baptist. His family was greatly persecuted for their faith during his childhood. He himself was forbidden to talk openly about his faith, and suffered lowered grades, negative evaluations in school, etc. due to his faith.

As a high school student Alexander was approached by the KGB on three separate occasions, and promised quick advancement, career opportunities, and other rewards if he would be willing to serve as a KGB spy within the Baptist church. After his third refusal, they assured him that because of his unwillingness to cooperate, his life would be ruined.

After military service, Alexander rejoined his family, who had since moved to Latvia. He was committed to Christ, and willing to serve Him whatever the cost. As a youth leader, he was involved in many evangelistic outreach activities, and was often stopped by the police, fined, and singled out at work to be embarrassed in front of his peers. (As it turns out, his co-workers so respected him because of his integrity, such rebukes turned out to be an advertisement for the Gospel!)

He met his wife through the church, where she was active as well. Her family had problems with the police as well, and had their Christian books confiscated on several occasions. Alexander and Rieesa have been married 25 years, and have five children, three grown, and two in school.

Early in their marriage they lived in Riga. The church they were attending desired to plant a church in Jelgava, and Alexander and his family were a part of the core group that planted the church. Eventually he served as an assistant pastor in this church plant. In 1984 he was put in charge of a church plant out of the Jelgava church, in Olgaina, and in 1987 he was involved in another church plant, in Stalgene. Latvia was still under Communism, but a regional official felt there was a need for “something holy” in the city, and invited them to plant the church!

Ten years later, eleven men were gathered in a room, discussing another possible church plant, in Dzirnieki, another community to which the regional official had invited them. They were asking for one individual to go and begin the plant. As they went around the table, and all the men were offering their excuses, Alexander was formulating his as well. But when his turn came, as the last one to be approached, all his arguments evaporated. He sat in silence for several seconds, and was surprised to hear himself say, “I’ll go.”

He was sent on his own, and there was not one Christian in the region. He told the Lord, “I understand it is you who is sending me, because you took away all my excuses.” After canvassing the city, the first service was held on Easter, with 80 people, many of whom had come from the “mother” church. The next Sunday, 40 were in attendance. The next, 20. The next, 6 elderly “babushkas.”

Alexander asked, “Lord, where are the people?” But he sensed the Lord calling him to simply be faithful. After several months, the six women asked, “Should we continue? Why should you keep coming all this way for six old women?” But Alexander challenged them to pray that God would build his church.

In October of that year, the women held a birthday party for their pastor during the Sunday morning service. They invited friends, neighbors, anyone who would come, including Alexander’s family, who up to this time had continued to attend and serve in the mother church. (Alexander was also still serving as an assistant pastor there, as well as planting the new church, while working a “secular” job full time!)

Many came to the party, and heard the testimonies of these women, and the Lord honored the faith of those persevering women. The church has been growing and prospering ever since.

The ministry in Dzirnieki has been a baptism by fire. Alexander had no formal training, so when the opportunity arose, he took advantage the CP-21 training offered by Emmanuel Ministries, working in partnership with Latvian nationals. He gives thanks to God for his training, and the encouragement and support he has received through the CP-21 program.

The congregation desired to purchase a building in town, but the cost was too high; $4,000 Ls. Alexander asked the congregation to pray. One year later the owner approached the church, and was desperate to sell. The purchase price had been dropped to $2,500 Ls. But the church in this year had only collected $250, and had just one month to come up with the funds.

The pastor of the mother church heard of the need, and passed the news on to the Bishop of the Baptist Union. Five days later came the call, “You’ll receive the funds you need!” The secretary of the Bishop mentioned the need to a friend in the U.S., whom they had never seen or met, who pledged to provide all the needed funds. In church next Sunday, when Alexander reported the news, there was a great celebration, giving thanks to the living God.

The building sat empty for 12 years, was badly overgrown and run down, and all the pipes had frozen and burst. They have already moved into their new building, and have been working hard to clean up the property and make necessary repairs. Some of the immediate needs include funds for heat, windows, and for indoor restrooms.

The church is praying that God will “expand their borders.” They have a vision for planting churches in two surrounding communities. Some are already attending their church from these communities, and they have a small group and a children’s ministry started in one.

God is building his church in Dzirnieki! Your partnership in this ministry is an effective, profitable investment in the kingdom of God, as he works in and through a faithful, committed pastor, his family, and the church to make His name great.