What is BaltCareNet?

Caring for the Caregiver

We bring people together to do, in community, what none of us can do alone. In recent years, we have homed in on creative bridge building in the area of “caring for the caregiver.”

Care is a big subject. It’s not really defined in Scripture, but perhaps a good definition can be made by combining what Paul said about the people who cared for him: “They supplied what I needed” (1 Corinthians 16:17-18)” and “they refreshed my spirit” (Philippians 2:25).

Ministry leaders in the Baltics are working with people struggling with alcoholism, addictions, disabilities, orphan care, and other major life problems and they do not have it easy. They tend to be lonely, isolated, and discouraged. Imagine that you’ve given your life to ministering to the homeless and addicted through a soup kitchen. It’s not often you wake up to hear those whom you serve, proclaim that they are no longer homeless or addicted. Ministry doesn’t always have earthly rewards. And so, our calling at BBI is to follow Paul’s advice: supply what they need, Refresh their spirits.

PRAYER DAYS for Those Who Work with Those Who Hurt

We encourage these leaders in multiple ways, one of which is by hosting a three-day retreat that we all PRAYER DAYS for Those Who Work with Those Who Hurt. Several key groups are invited: Leaders of Christian rehabilitation centers, church leaders working with hurting people and interested in church-based recovery programs, and Leaders of orphan ministries that serve aged-out orphans.

What can we do together that we cannot do alone? The answer to that question has come in the form of the BBI-led initiative called BaltCareNet, an informal network of like-minded leaders of front-line ministries. The vision is to see leaders from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia develop beneficial relationships, participate in future training and networking events like PRAYER DAYS, create joint projects, and develop ongoing communication mechanisms.

The mission of BaltCareNet is to bring together leaders of frontline mercy ministries. It is an informal network of like-minded leaders who have hearts to help hurting people as Jesus helped.

Our vision is to see like-minded leaders from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia develop mutually beneficial relationships, participate in special events, create joint projects, and develop ongoing communication mechanisms. When these leaders come together, the goal is for each one to be strengthened, listened to, cared for, encouraged, and equipped for greater future effectiveness.