Baltic Theological Seminary Needs Our Help

Dear Friends of Estonia and Supporters of the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary,

As Co-Chairs of Friends of Estonia, we are deeply grateful for your faithful support and prayers for the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary. Your generosity has been vital to the seminary’s mission to equip Christian leaders and spread the Gospel throughout Eastern Europe.

We are writing to share a heartfelt letter (read below) from our Senior Pastor, at Mt Bethel Church, Dr. Jody Ray, who has been moved by the seminary’s story and ministry. His passion for this cause is evident, and we are profoundly thankful for his support and leadership. In a wonderful act of generosity, [Pastor Jody ] and our church have pledged to match every gift to this campaign, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. This means your gift will have double the impact in supporting the seminary’s vital work.

Our “Funding the Future” campaign is an opportunity to ensure the seminary continues to prepare faithful servants and leaders for years to come. The need is great, and the time is now. We invite you to join us in this effort, knowing that your gift—no matter the size—will be multiplied and will help shape the future of the Seminary in Estonia and beyond.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership, your prayers, and your generosity. Together, we can make a lasting difference for the Kingdom.

With gratitude and blessings,
Co-Chairs, Friends of Estonia
Page and Carl Henry

Dear Friends,

I wanted to reach out to you today about something close to my heart – the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary (BMTS) in Estonia.

You might not know this story, but back in 1994, as the Soviet Union fell and Estonia regained its independence, Methodist churches that had been forced underground for decades finally had the chance to worship openly again. World Methodist Evangelism partnered with these resilient believers to establish BMTS, and what they’ve accomplished over these 30 years has been nothing short of remarkable.

I’ve seen firsthand how this seminary transforms lives. Students come from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and beyond – many juggling full-time work and ministry commitments while completing their theological education.

Here’s the challenge we’re facing: BMTS ended 2024 with a significant financial deficit. The recent disaffiliation and loss of funding from the United Methodist Church has hit them hard. But despite these obstacles, they’ve just received a full seven-year accreditation – a testament to the quality of education they provide.

I was talking with one of the seminary leaders recently who told me that across its 30-year history, BMTS has graduated 288 students from nearly 20 different nationalities. Can you imagine the impact these graduates are having across Eastern Europe?

Here’s where you and I come in. The seminary needs our support to provide scholarships to current and future students. The wonderful news is that Mt. Bethel Church is offering to match donations up to $50,000 – meaning your gift will have double the impact!

Let me share one example of what your contribution can do:

• $4,000 funds the current scholarship needs of one student for one academic year

• $2,000 provides half of those scholarship needs

• $1,000 covers a quarter of those scholarship needs

• And honestly, gifts of any size make a difference when combined.

I’m particularly excited about this idea: What if a group of us could fund scholarships for an entire class? For instance, there are 18 second-year students who need a total of $72,000 in scholarship support. That’s $4,000 per student. I’m committed to helping with this – would you join me?

Despite the current financial challenges, BMTS isn’t just surviving – they’re planning for the future with innovative micro-degree programs and even a Master’s program on the horizon. Their vision inspires me, and I hope it inspires you too.

If you’ve stuck with me through this email (thank you!), I hope you’ll consider making a gift. Whether it’s $50, $500, or more, remember that it will be doubled through the matching gift opportunity.

To donate online, visit mb.church/bmts, choose “Missions” from the list of Funds, add “BMTS Estonia” in the “Note” section, and enter your contribution amount. If you prefer to send a check, please make your check payable to Mt. Bethel Church – Missions, put “BMTS Estonia” on the for/memo line, and mail to Mt. Bethel Church, Finance Department, 4385 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30068.

Gifts received until August 27 (beginning of fall semester), qualify for the match.

I truly believe in BMTS’s work to prepare the next generation of church leaders in Eastern Europe. Your support matters more than you know.

Thank you for considering this request and for being a supporter of the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary.

With gratitude,

Dr. Jody G. Ray

Senior Pastor, Mt Bethel Church