May 2024 Prayer Requests

Below, find the prayer concerns and requests from leaders of the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary and the congregations in Estonia.

Robert Tšerenkov
District Superintendent, EMK

It was a joy to be at the Friends of Estonia gathering in Kingsport, Tennessee, in April, reconnect with many friends, and make some new friends. I think this meeting was a great success. Thank you, Rev. Dr. Randy Frye and First Broad Street UMC, for hosting us at your church, and Carl and Page Henry for leading the Friends of Estonia! Thank you all for praying for safe travels and productive meetings!

The first weekend in May, we had the Annual Conference of the Estonian Methodist Church (EMC) on the island of Saaremaa, where the Methodist movement began in Estonia in 1907. It was a wonderful time, filled with the strong presence of God, a great sense of unity, and a feeling of gratitude for all that the Lord is doing in the church in Estonia. One of the highlights of the gathering was the official opening of the Hope Church in Tallinn, the 24^th congregation of the EMC. Please continue to pray for this congregation so they can grow and bring many people to Jesus Christ!

Please pray for the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary students as they finish their studies and for the seminary’s 30th anniversary celebration on June 15^th.

Please pray as we prepare for different summer events, camps, and the Summer Conference. May the Lord use this summer to work in the hearts of people.

Thank you so much for your prayers!

Robert Tserenkov

Taavi Hollman
Interim Rector BMTS

Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary Prayer Requests:

Gratefulness to God for:

• Successful Friends of Estonia gathering in First Broad Street UMC in Kingsport on April 19-20; Pastor Randy Frye and local hosts led by Harry and Pat Turner did a wonderful job hosting our Estonian team; it is great that the Friendships are going on and the connection is alive;
• Carl and Page Henry, who have led the Friends of Estonia group and have initiated the in-person meetings again after the period of pandemic;
• Dean Mark Nelson, who leads preparations concerning the New Study Curriculum; we are eager to implement it soon, which gives the students the possibility to choose between different majors;
• Local churches in Estonia who have sent their support for the Seminary;
• Friends and local churches in the US who have sent their support for the Seminary;

Please pray:

• For the students who get ready for graduation in June, and for the faculty and staff;
• For the preparations for the 30. Years Anniversary Gathering;
• For the new rector, that Lord will lead the process, and the right person will be found and appointed to this very important task;
• For the ongoing preparations for the upcoming accreditation,
• For the chair of the Board of Trustees, Robert Tšerenkov, Board Members and Development Committee and its chair Jeanie Reimer, who has led the committee with dedication and zeal;
• In 2024, that God will provide all our financial needs covered in the situation where some of the funds have disappeared due to the Estonia Church disaffiliation from the UMC;

Taavi Hollman

Kaupo and Thea Kant
Tree of Life Church – Võru

Dear Praying friends!

On behalf of Võru Tree of Life church and pastor Ele Paju, we give great thanks to the Lord for His great work in people´s hearts!

The attendance in church has grown, and several dear friends have visited us in April. Kaspars and Tabita from Latvia took their friends and churchplanters pastor Joseph Wilson with wife and daughter from India.

Young people were leading the service during our annual conference, and young evangelist Stefan Karl Seppel shared the Word of God.

Prayers for May:

* Võru foodbank will get 10 – please pray for the leader, Helle, and her mother, Ester, to get new strength and vision to continue the good ministry

* Summer children food project “Toidutare” where social workers together with church volunteers are giving food to children at risk and in need in July – praying for a cook and children worker to minister with them

* Youth ministry team – some leaders have great overload – that the Lord will grow the young leaders and make them strong in faith

* Children ministry – there are about 15 children who have been in Sunday school – strength to teachers and leader Lea, who has passionately led the ministry

* ALdersgate seminar – to encourage new members to receive inner healing and new strength in their faith

* Prayer ministry – is serving faithfully people each week and before and after each service – please pray for leader, Tiit – whose health has not been very good this yea

* Ministry with foster home children and youth – there will be volunteers to transport kids to church for youth evenings and Sunday school

* Kaupo´s teaching in Põlva school, as he has shared faith with several students and teachers

* Pastor Ele and her family, as the ministry is growing – have time to be restored and renewed and have the wisdom to lead this growing ministry

* Financial blessings – in October, Võru church will be 30 – and some renovation works will be done during the summer

Please pray for Estonia and wisdom to our government that the door will be open for the Gospel and God´s love.

in Christ,

Thea Kant

Ele Paju
Estonian Language Youth and Räpina

April passed very quickly. Let’s start with joys: We are glad that the son of Annika and Siim was baptized in Viitka. I´m doing my best to mentor and grow the church’s active workers in the three churches. More co-workers are still required.

150 people attended an evangelical healing conference in Räpina. We felt God’s healing and liberating presence. Let’s keep praying that God would guide coworkers to Räpina. Much work needs to be done! On Wednesdays, I’m doing my best to help this community. We need to cover three parishes’ holidays with workers for the summer. May God supply us to meet our needs.

Evangelical healing conference in Räpina

The Estonian Methodist Church’s youth leaders were trained in Tartu at the end of April. We are happy for the very dedicated young people who serve. We are working with Naatan and Urmas to organize three youth camps. Let’s pray for God to guide, grant wisdom, send a team, and reach the younger generation. Let`s pray for awakening. Prayer makes impossible things possible! Be blessed!

Estonian Methodist Church’s youth leader training in Tartu

In God`s grace,

Ele

Veronika Fjodorova
Children’s Lighthouse Director

Greetings from Children Center Lighthouse,

We thank God that in the middle of May, Tery and Adrian from Asbury Church will come to the children’s center to help organize free time with the children. May is a very busy time for staff to help children finish the school year. We pray that God will bless Tery and Adrian’s trip and that the children can graduate from their class.

We are praying for an 8-year-old boy who is being raised by a father with alcohol problems. This boy recently came to the children’s center. The boy often talks about death and that nothing is interesting in life. Please pray for this family that they can find the meaning of life in God and that God gives us wisdom on how best to help this family.

Veronika