A Visit with BPI Student, Valters Mitans

By Chuck Kelley

    RIGA, Latvia – Valters Mitans is a student at the Baltic Pastor Institute in Riga and the pastor of the Mazsalaca Baptist Church near the Estonian border. He and his wife, Ilze, both grew up in Mazsalaca and their hearts are burdened for the people in their town who need spiritual hope.

    Valters invited Nancy and me to visit Mazsalaca and speak in his church on the last Sunday of August. We were warmly received by his congregation.  We then spent the afternoon with this wonderful young family visiting about life, ministry and their city. Valters and Ilze then took us on the grand tour which was much more impressive than we would have guessed. The city was built on the beautiful Salaca River in a mysterious forest that has been a center of ancient Latvian paganism. As we walked through nature our hearts were delighted by the natural beauty yet saddened by the reality of centuries of spiritual darkness.

    During July and August Valters and the other 12 BPI students were involved in summer ministry projects or internships. After a ten-week break from formal studies, BPI classes started again on the 2nd of September.

    Most courses are taught by local Latvian teachers and pastors. Their efforts are supplemented by international specialists, some of whom come through the BBI network of relationships.

    A new feature, beginning in September, is the weekly BPI Forum. Each Thursday morning the students will hear from leaders of interest from all sectors of society, most of them Christians, who will share their worlds and hearts. Our invitation list includes business professionals, social experts, cultural icons, politicians and pastors from other denominational perspectives. America’s ambassador to Latvia, Charles Larson, has agreed to speak on the 6th of November.

    One of the most important developments at BPI during the summer months was the addition of Mark Sandberg to the leadership team. He is the National Field Director for Greater Europe Mission and has served as a pastor and teacher in Latvia for many years. Having also previously taught at Columbia Bible College in South Carolina, Mark has extensive educational expertise. And he is a joy to work with.

    The Baltic Pastoral Institute is a fine example of the strategic importance and positive impact that partnerships represent. BPI’s leadership now includes:

1. •    Bishop Peteris Sprogis, Director (Latvian Baptist Union)
   

2. •    Liva Fokrote, Dean of Academic Affairs (Josiah Venture)
   

3. •    Mark Sandberg, Instructor and Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs (Greater Europe Mission)
   

4. •    Paul Reed, Chaplain (International Mission Board)
   

5. •    Chuck Kelley, Instructor & Dean (BBI/Partners)
   
       Undergirding BPI is another network of important international partners…churches and organizations. Some have provided teachers, others scholarships and still more have helped with construction projects.  Partners from abroad include:
   
   •     Highlands Community Church, Renton, WA
   •     First Baptist Church, Richardson, TX
   •     Saratoga Federated Church, Saratoga, CA
   •     Calvary Church, Los Gatos, CA
   •     Doxology, Corvallis, OR
   •     Immanuel Baptist Church, Highland, CA
   •     McKinney Baptist Church, McKinney, TX
   •     Red Mountain Community Church, Mesa, AZ
   •     Evangelical Development Ministry, Muenster, TX
   •     Josiah Venture, Czech Republic
   •     Soma, Tacoma, WA
   •     First Baptist Church, Houston, TX
   •     Second Baptist Church, Houston, TX