Overcoming Oppression this Christmas

“Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother. And in His name all oppression shall cease.”

This is one of the most powerful lyrics in the beloved Christmas hymn, O Holy Night (1847). We have seen the chains of oppression weaken through God’s work throughout Latvia and the Baltics with BBI, but did you know Eastern Europe is one of the least evangelized regions in the world.

There is still immense spiritual, emotional, and cultural oppression in the former Soviet states. King Solomon wrote, “Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them” (Ecclesiastes 4:1a ESV).

We believe God has opened our eyes to the oppression and suffering of those in the Baltics, Ukraine, and beyond to gather and equip comforters.

Each week leading up to Christmas, we’ll post a short video here highlighting one area of ministry where God is transforming lives. Please celebrate and praise God with us.

Will you journey with us in our passion to overcome the oppression of soviet mindsets, pagan worship, and spiritual darkness as we bring the light of Christ to Latvia and beyond?

This is a perfect time to join us. A Friend of BBI has offered a matching grant up to $25,000 this Christmas season for all new or increased year-end gifts as well as new or increased monthly support to the general fund (or to support Natalie or Josh as missionaries, which supports the general fund).

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A VIDEO CHRISTMAS GRATITUDE COUNTDOWN

With gratitude, we give thanks for what God is doing in Latvia and Eastern Europe through BBI this year.

Through BBI and our ministry partners, God is overcoming the oppression of uncertainty, loss, and fear for those trying to build new lives in Latvia after fleeing Ukraine or those living under constant threat inside the country.

Working through BBI and our partner, Eagle's Wings Camp (Ērgļa Spārni), we see God overcoming the oppression of abandonment to orphans, the oppression of loss and fear to refugee children, and the spiritual and emotional oppression of Latvia’s youth, who are her next generation of leaders.

Through BBI's ImagoDei Art Ministry, we see God overcoming the oppression of skepticism with beauty as we share the gospel through the arts, and the oppression of isolation many christian artists face, discipling those who feel disenfranchised by the church.

Working through BBI and our partners, God is overcoming the the spiritual, emotional, and cultural oppression of old soviet conditioning, pagan worship, and spiritual darkness as we bring the light of Christ to Latvia and beyond

Legend says the first Christmas tree was erected in Latvia. What can we learn from this evergreen?

Joshua J. Masters

Joshua J. Masters is a pastor, author (A Faith Unleashed, Experiencing the Word series), and an international missionary to the Baltics and greater Europe with Bridge Builders International. He also serves as the Executive Director of the organization.

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