  RIGA, Latvia - They came from the four corners of the nation - Baptists, Lutherans, Pentecostals, Methodists, and Reformed. There were Latvians, Russians, a handful of Americans and one Swede. Each heart was eager to learn how to be more effective youth ministry leaders and to carry the Gospel beyond Latvia's borders. In all, about 160 volunteer youth workers attended BBI's 4th Protein Training Conference.
The main theme was spiritual leadership. The crowd listened attentively as BBI President Chuck Kelley encouraged them, "If you influence people, that means you're a leader, for leadership is influence . . . influence that leads to change. Change in an individuals life. In a church. In a community. In a nation."
The participants responded with enthusiasm. Evija from Tilza Baptist Church commented, "I liked Chuck Kelley's lecture about good leader. Actually I did not expect something so great."
Andris from Kandava Baptist Church recalls, "I saw that youth in Latvia want to change the country."
Every session began with worship. Praise teams from various churches led the participants into the presence of the Lord with great skill and passion. Most of the songs were translated from English, but some of their favorites had been composed by local artists. It was beautiful.
The Swede was Ingemar Martinson, a 70-year-old missionary statesman who has given most of his adult life to ministry to the suffering church in Communist and post-Communist Europe. The crowd listened carefully as he described God's call on his life when he was their age.
Ingemar taught on the importance of obeying God's guidance. He then amplified that idea by stressing how God uses four witnesses to confirm His will - the Bible, wise counsel, a still small voice and a special prophetic word. He cautioned the group to always test so-called prophetic words with Scripture.
Ieva from Jelgava Baptist Church was only one who benefited from Ingemar's messages, "My personality gained much encouragement, because I had to think about things and issues that I don't think about daily."
Specific ministry principles were broken down in afternoon workshops led by national leaders. Topics included sports ministry, taught by Kaspars Donis, world missions, taught by Ingemar, and the spiritual inner life of leaders, taught by Ungars Gulbis. Agnese Rancą®„, the Youth Ministry Leader of Gulbenes Baptist Church says, "I really liked the lecture about leader's inner life. It was much to think about."
Peter Eisans, who works with BBI/Partners as Director of Church Partnerships, gave a special evening presentation on the recent missionary journey that he and BBI Vice President Mike Parker recently led to Bashkortostan, one of the Russian-speaking Muslim states near the Ural Mountains of Russia. Others on the team were Pastor Girts Asnevics and Vladimir Andrejets.
Peter has caught the vision that God has uniquely equipped those who live in Latvia and learned the Russian language in the Communist years, as effective missionaries to the unreached peoples of the former Soviet Union. The young people were captivated by his stories and photographic power-point presentation. Toward the end of the weekend, when young people were encouraged to sign up to be on the next outreach team to Bashkortostan, seven volunteered.
The Protein Training Conferences are possible because of the hard work of the Latvian Youth Ministry Network, known better in Latvia as the Protein Youth Network. Led by Partners' Lienite Bemere, the network took turns sharing how a network works and what each of them do. It was a beautiful example of teamwork?between men and women, Baptists, Lutherans, Reformed and Salvation Army. Lienite shared the larger vision that regional youth ministry networks are needed to better serve and influence local churches.
The response was fantastic as eight youth leaders from different regions volunteered to start local networks. Anna, from the Salvation Army was enthusiastic, "I was so encouraged by presentation of Youth Network "Protein".
Another highlight of the conference was the Saturday night concert. It featured several music groups, including one Christian band, Kairos, that was touring Latvia from Cuba. For 45 minutes, they sang Christian folk songs and hymns, complete with guitars, a giant string bass and maracas. The group was fascinated with the rhythms, melodies and counter-melodies. After Kairos played, two local bands played and the group sang and worshipped the Lord until the wee hours of the morning.
On the final morning, Chuck Kelley delivered a serious message from Luke 14 on the cost of following Christ as a youth leader. The session ended with a group prayer of commitment and re-commitment. Many raised their hands, indicating their complete willingness to follow Christ wherever He leads and in whatever he prompts them to do.
Each participant filled out an evaluation sheet and an extensive demographic survey, which will be entered into the computer for research purposes. Many of the participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to network with others. Evita from New Generation Church said, "During this seminar I thought very much of my church...I understood that youth from our church need more involvement in interconfessional events like this. Thank you for your go-go spirit!"
In order for these youth workers to attend the conference, several American churches and individuals gave special gifts that provided enough scholarships so that each one who wanted to go could go. Through these gifts, all of the expenses were covered. We thank the Lord for His provision through His people.
Anda from the Kandava Evangelical Lutheran Church sums it all up when she says, "What I liked about the seminars.......EVERYTHING. Here I can grow spiritually and rest. But the real result I will see after the seminars, when I come home encouraged to continue."
The next "Protein" Youth Ministry Training Conference will take place in Riga the last weekend of March 2003.
23 October 2002
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