Baltic Partnership Releases Survey Results

The Friends of the Baltics group was formed in 2018 by Ullas Tankler and Jeanie Reimer from Global Ministries who, for many years participated, in the Friends of Estonia, Friends of Latvia, and Friends of Lithuania gatherings.  Seeing many similarities and challenges between the ministries of the Methodist Church in the three Baltic countries, we saw an opportunity to bring together representatives from each group.  The purpose was clearly defined as a way to learn about each other, to understand the ministries in each country, and to build relationships, not to merge together as one group.  Ultimately, we want to support each other in the ministry of God’s work.    (Representatives from each group:  Jim and Rachel Davis and Carl and Page Henry – Friends of Estonia; Mark and Julie Croft and Chuck Gildrie – Friends of Latvia; and Rev. Kelly Clem, Rev. Dale Clem, and Robin Richardson – Friends of Lithuania.)

During one of the first meetings of the Friends of the Baltics, we discussed ways that our three groups could work on a shared project with the goal of inspiring and creating more awareness and understanding of each other.   In the discussion, we became aware that there was little collaboration or communication between these three Friends groups so we set about to have the Friends of the Baltics group work on that issue.

The idea of a shared discussion to be facilitated at each annual Friends gathering was an idea that surfaced with great enthusiasm.  We agreed this would provide invaluable insight into how the three groups are similar, how we share the same spiritual connection with our partners, and how we love that God has placed us in ministry with our friends in the Baltics.  We agreed the discussion would be rooted in a Bible passage as our overarching guide for the discussion (John 1:35-51 was selected).   In this passage, Jesus is calling his first disciples.  They are eager to share with others the good news that they have found Jesus, the Messiah.  Like the disciples, encouraging others to “come and see”, we are invited to “come and see” how God will transform us through our relationships and partnership in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.  Questions were created that encouraged discussion about how we are surprised and transformed through our relationships and partnerships, how we see Jesus at work in these countries, and other questions.

Partnership Discussion Process

It was agreed that we would facilitate a face-to-face discussion at each of the next Friends gatherings.  Friends of Lithuania and Friends of Estonia were able to have the discussion in person.  Friends of Latvia had to cancel their annual gathering in 2019 and had planned on having a face-to-face discussion in 2020, however, Covid-19 made that impossible.  Instead, their discussion was held at their Zoom Gathering in May 2020 which proved to be just as effective.   The following questions were selected for the discussion:

1. How have you been surprised, transformed through your relationship/partnership with the people from the Methodist Church in Estonia/Latvia/Lithuania?
2. What would you want to share about where you have seen signs of Jesus in Estonia/Latvia/ Lithuania?
3. What do people in Estonia/Latvia/Lithuania think about Jesus? Who do they think he is?  What do people in the US think about Jesus?  Who do they think he is?
4. What would you say to people who are considering being in partnership with the Methodist Church in Estonia/Latvia/ Lithuania about why they should do this? How will both partners benefit? 
5. Where did we see the work of God’s Kingdom during the years of Soviet occupation? Where do you see it today in the midst of the tumultuous worldwide climate of terrorism, violence and hatred?

The same questions were asked of each group.  Notes were taken to gather the responses generated from the discussion.  The complete responses follow as attachments to this report and format and demographics of each group are listed here:

Survey Data Collection

Friends of Lithuania

The Friends of Lithuania gathering was held on November 3, 2018 at FUMC Royal Oak, in Royal Oak, Michigan.  The format selected was to hold the discussion with the entire group so all could hear the questions responses.  There were approximately 35 lay and clergy from the Lithuania and the US who participated.  The comments received after the discussion were extremely positive.  People spoke about how it was good to hear from others about their partnerships and it affirmed for many the importance of keeping these partnerships alive.

Friends of Estonia

The Friends of Estonia gathering was held on May 11, 2019 at Mt. Bethel UMC in Marietta, Georgia.  The format selected was to break into small groups for the discussion.  There were 6 small groups, 4 in English, 1 in Estonian and 1 in Russian with approximately 50 lay and clergy participating.   Comments received after the discussion supported how important these discussions are to affirm the importance of our partnerships.

Friends of Latvia

The Friends of Latvia gathering was held via a Zoom call on May 30, 2020.  There were approximately 40 people on the call who participated with clergy and lay representation from Latvia and the US.  Even though we did not know how the discussion would go using Zoom, it went remarkably well with people from both countries passionately sharing their perspectives.

Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn. Capital cities of the Baltic States

Results Summary

As you read the responses from each of group, you will see many similarities and shared experiences.  It is exciting to see how God has brought people together from across the world to be in ministry together.  The responses reiterate how these partnerships, and now lifelong relationships for many, have inspired and transformed people both in the US and in the Baltic countries.

Here are a sampling of responses from each Friends group.  For a complete report of each group, please read the full responses at the end of this report. You will be amazed at the similarities and passion for which each group shares their responses.

Sample of responses from Friends of Estonia, Friends of Latvia, and Friends of Lithuania:

1. How have you been surprised, transformed through your relationship/partnership with the people from the Methodist Church in Estonia/Latvia/Lithuania?

Friends of Estonia:

• Deep love and long-term friendships that have developed
• God knows no language barriers and the Holy Spirit is not bound by distance & cultures.

Friends of Latvia

• I continue to be surprised and transformed through Jesus Christ by my friends in Latvia.
• We become family with our partners. We have lifetime relationships.  Their hospitality is overwhelming and humbling.

Friends of Lithuania:

• The love and commitment shown to us for the past 20 years has been a gift from God.
• No matter what country, continent, language, there are not boundaries when working for God’s Kingdom.

2. What would you want to share about where you have seen signs of Jesus in Estonia/ Latvia/Lithuania?

Friends of Estonia:

• In the people in the churches, their obvious love for God
• See Jesus in Estonia in Camp Gideon, Baltic Seminary, District Superintendent, individual congregations, Lighthouse

Friends of Latvia:

• Where do I begin? I see Jesus everywhere, every church, every pastor, Hope Center, Wesley Camp, every single person.  He is everywhere.
• We are different because of our partnership with the Latvians. We become better people.  Jesus is among us and teaches us together.

Friends of Lithuania:

• Our partnerships show such love for each other. We see each other the way that Jesus want us to see each other.
• Seeing Jesus in the life of the elders who persisted in their faith despite the hardships of Soviet occupation where you had to hide your religious beliefs and practices.

3. What would you say to people who are considering being in partnership with the Methodist Church in Estonia/Latvia/ Lithuania about why they should do this? How will both partners benefit?

Friends of Estonia:

• Be prepared to be blessed beyond measure. Beneficial for both partners: prayer, hope, sharing the love of Jesus, miracles, lifelong relationships, family.  (You have to know the history to appreciate the culture.) It is a brave thing to go out of your home into different.  Leaving family, home, obligations behind and depending on others, sharing your faith and praying with someone you just met will build your faith more than 100 Sunday sermons.
• It is a brave thing to go out of your home into different. Leaving family, home, obligations behind and depending on others, sharing your faith and praying with someone you just met will build your faith more than 100 Sunday sermons.

Friends of Latvia:

• First, I would say “Just do it”. Second, I would ask, do you need more love in your life?  Do you need more faith?  Hope?  If you need more of God’s fruit in your life, that is how you will benefit.
• You will get to experience God’s grace in a new and very visible way that will deepen your faith and experience with Christ. You will bless those you visit by mirroring God’s love and you will be blessed by what you receive back.

Friends of Lithuania:

• You will see Jesus in the hearts of the Lithuania people
• This is your opportunity to . . .
  • Be transformed and inspired
  • To see Jesus
  • To really live your faith
  • To meet Jesus face-to-face
  • To give and to receive

If you would like to read the larger set of responses from each group they are attached at the bottom of the survey results document as Appendices. Link below:

Partnership Discussion Summary Report Aug. 2020 (PDF)