BBI History
Project Legacy seeks to honor the past as we look to the future, documenting the stories, testimonies, and stories of how God has worked through BBI.
Bridge Builders International has a rich history building on the original ministry work of our founder’s grandfather, Charles Singer. The modern BBI ministry was founded in 1994 by Charles and Nancy Kelley (retired) with a heart to build bridges between the western church and the newly free Church of the Latvia and Eastern Europe. The ministry is now overseen by BBI President, Natalie Meeks, who worked closely with our founder for over a decade.
Please join us in honoring the history of BBI by exploring the timeline below of how God has moved in Latvia and beyond.
HISTORY: The first real quest for freedom in Latvia came with the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia at the National Theater on November 18, 1918 after the Russian Revolution.
HISTORY: The Freedom Monument, sculpted by Kārlis Zāle, is unveiled in Riga, Latvia on November 18, 1935 in honor of those who died during the War of Latvian Independence. Though this time of freedom would be short, the statue would survive occupation by the Russians (1940), the Nazis (1941), and…
Read More
The Soviet Army retakes Latvia and maintains oppression until 1990
The International Refugee Mission (IRM), the Predecessor to BBI, is founded by the BBI Founder’s Grandfather, Charles Singer. This image features the first IRM Board of Directors, the globe sitting on the table is now displayed in the BBI Library.
BBI Founder, Charles Kelley, takes his first trip to Latvia funded by his grandfather, Charles Singer.
Watched by the KGB, the first legal public declaration of the gospel in Latvia takes place with Charles Kelley, Almers Ludviks, Mike Parker, Bill Schultz, and Ainars Baštiks.
Latvia and other countries declare independence as the Soviet Union implodes.
God places a vision for BBI’s ministry on the heart of founder, Charles Kelley at a restaurant in Corvallis, OR.
BBI’s first official office opened May 01, 1995 in Philomath, OR. In this photo, Charles Kelley visits the site years later.
Charles Singer’s International Refugee Mission (IRM) officially merges with his grandson’s ministry, BBI. Pictured in this image is Charles Singer, Charles Kelley, and Almers Ludviks.
The BBI Partneri organization is founded in Riga, Latvia. Pictured here is Almers Ludviks, Partneri Executive Director.
Hope for Farm Families is established. Now BBI Missionary, Dan Roth oversees a thriving sheep farm ministry with our partners.
BBI Partneri moves into their first office on Alfrēda Kalniņa Street in Riga, Latvia. In 2023, the office was moved and this location became the BBI Missions Apartment, where staff and traveling missionaries stay while in Latvia.
Thomas & Nanette Kinkade join BBI in Latvia, leading to the formation of our ImagoDei Art Ministry
In 2005, Surprised by the Father’s Plan, a book by Charles Kelley with Kristen Zetsche is released, chronicling the history of BBI and missions in Latvia. The book features forewords by Thomas Kinkade and Luis Palau. Surprised by the Father’s Plan is the compelling story of God’s unexpected leading in…
Read More
Dustin & Kristine Peterson join BBI as missionaries and founders of Eagle’s Wings Camp. We now partner with the current Eagle’s Wings Director, Diks Bortņikovs. In this photo, we see students gathered at the camp with a young image of Diks Bortnikovs inset. Eagle’s Wings Camp nurtures young people to…
Read More
In a major expansion to meet the needs of more children, the Lodge is built at Eagle’s Wings Camp.
Natalie Meeks (then BBI Executive Director) and BBI Founder, Charles Kelley begin leading the Christian Artists Network at the European Leadership Forum (ELF) in Wisla, Poland
Natalie launches and leads BBI’s new Ukrainian war relief effort, adding Slavic & Liuba Maiboroda as our Directors of Ukrainian Ministry. Pictured here (l to r) is Natalie Meeks, Joshua Masters, Slavic & Liuba Maiboroda delivering care packages to a refugee community in Roja, Latvia. BBI’s passion for serving those…
Read More
Joshua Masters preaches for the first time in Latvia at Madonas Baptist Church as a member of the BBI Board of Directors before coming on staff as the Executive Director.
Potato farming begins in Ērgļi, Latvia to support Ukrainian refugees. Those from Ukraine building new lives in Latvia are invited to work and harvest the potatoes to support families like their own and new refugees still coming into the country.
After a multi-year transition period, the BBI appoints Natalie Meeks to become the new President/CEO of BBI on June 1, 2023 and brings on Joshua Masters as Executive Director. Here Natalie is shown speaking on “Pass the Torch Weekend” at Corvallis First Baptist in Oregon, the church that originally sent…
Read More
A new U.S. BBI office is opened on Wade Hampton Blvd. in Taylors, SC as operations move from Oregon to South Carolina. Pictured here (l to r) is BBI Executive Director Joshua Masters, BBI President/CEO Natalie Meeks, and BBI Executive Assistant Sally Anderson.
As the new BBI President, Natalie shares with long-time partner, Matthews Church in Riga, Latvia about the future of BBI with Vineta Zāle (Partneri Office Manager) translating.
Construction of a new chapel begins at Eagle’s Wings Camp, including volunteers from multiple BBI mission trips and other partner churches of Eagle’s Wings Camp.
The first BBI Church Plant launches on Easter 2024 for Ukrainian refugees building new lives in Riga, Latvia. The congregation meets at the Vīlandes Church, which was established by Almers Ludviks in 1995.
Natalie and Joshua lead a new vision for BBI Prayer Days, ministering to the current and next generation of Christian leaders in Latvia.
BBI Associate Gatis Līdums launches a revolutionary training program for Christian Counseling in Latvia, the first of its kind in the Baltic States.
BBI launches a weekly, U.S. based Bible Study as a sister-group to our Ukrainian study in Riga, Latvia.
Humanitarian aid trips into Ukraine expand to include support for pastors serving near the front lines as we continue bringing food, beds, Bibles, and medical supplies.
