Three Critical Questions: Why Latvia?  Why Today?  Why BBI?

One of the most common questions I have heard Americans ask through the years is, “Why Latvia?” Underneath that critical question is the notion that Latvia is just a small, obscure country. “Surely it can’t be very significant.” I could list a dozen reasons why I have invested my life, energy, and personal resources to help and bless this little nation. Here are three:

Because of its strategic location.  It is a hub of the North and a gateway to the East.  Riga is known as the Queen of the Baltics.  Its position on the eastern side of the Baltic Sea is one of many reasons why Russia has always wanted Latvia for itself.  Putin is not very shy about his desire to expand Russia’s dominance to include Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, and the Baltic Republics.

Because of its perseverance through centuries of foreign rule.  Not very many peoples have kept their identity for more than 1,000 years of occupation.  I believe God has protected the Latvian people for purposes greater than any human can predict.  Through the centuries the Latvian culture, language, art, and achievements have grown and developed.  Today’s Latvia is filled with world-class brilliant, creative, and talented people who add enormous value to Europe and beyond.

Because God loves Latvians. I continually see the Lord doing phenomenal Kingdom things in Latvia, for Latvia and through Latvians.  When I first visited Latvia almost 30 years ago, I couldn’t even dream that I would see a free Latvia, let alone a place where God would use our ministry to touch countless people from all walks of life.  This list includes teachers, farmers, musicians, women, men, children, soldiers, orphans, teenagers, politicians, prisoners, pastors, ministry leaders, students, artists, addicts, alcoholics, seniors, and business professionals.  Whenever I get discouraged and lose focus, I intentionally remember the great things He has done…and is DOING today.

This leads to the second critical question:  Why Today?

The short answer is, “because we can.”  This is not a simplistic response. Like other nations, Latvians have been traumatized by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Russo-Ukrainian war is perceived extremely seriously because Latvians understand Putin’s dream of re-occupying the Baltics. How do these realities impact both church and society?

God is on the move in Latvia today.  The Lord is guiding significant, creative ministry all over the country. I am just as excited by important ministry initiatives that BBI brings leaders and other influential people together for relationship, training, mentoring, vision-casting, and outreach as I have ever been. every year, Eagle’s Wings Camp ministers to hundreds of children, youth, and their families. In fact, most of the leaders at the camp came to know the Lord when they were campers. They have been intentionally trained and mentored and now they lead. Tremendous.

I am not just talking about what our organization is doing.  Over the years I have grown to know hundreds of pastors, ministry leaders, teachers, and missionaries from various backgrounds and denominations.  And many in Latvia are responding to the Lord’s invitation to know, love, and follow Him with all of their heart. It’s fun to be where the action is.

And now the third question:  Why BBI?

God has chosen to use our ministry in surprising ways for more than 30 years. We are in a unique position of influence for the church in Latvia.  We have served on behalf of and in Latvia from the first days of freedom.  And He has chosen to grant us favor in the eyes of church, ministry, and national leaders.

We take this position seriously.  We must understand the times in Latvia. And we must know the best course that the Lord would have us pursue.  Rather than focus on one area – like clean water or needed books or a specific training program – God has called BBI to be nimble and to respond with multiple programs to address multiple TIMELY needs.

And in the last 10 years we have walked through open doors to serve in multiple European nations.