MBs help start church in Lithuania

Klaipeda, Lithuania

Mennonite Brethren have been active in Lithuania for some time. MB missionaries Jean and Jerrold Paetkau report on the recently established Christian college and church in Klaipeda, Lithuania. "Our church is so new and so young that we need a great deal of prayer and would love to be in dialogue with Mennonite churches."

The Present

Prior to World War II there was a strong Mennonite community in and around Klaipeda. Unfortunately all the records were lost in the war and most of the families migrated. Klaipeda is Lithuania's third largest city and a major port on the Baltic sea.

Today the MB Church has returned to assist in caring for people and establishing churches. Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services has teamed up with the Lithuanian Charity Fund, an organization founded by Otonas Balciunas before Lithuania became independent in 1990. It was the first charity organization recognized by the new government. The work with the LCF involves both education and church planting.

Leaders are being trained to work both in community and church through the four-year Liberal Arts Christian College (formerly Lithuania Christian College) in Klaipeda. The college's mandate is to prepare leaders to assist in transforming a society once dominated by communism to one free of hate and open to the life-changing qualities found in a relationship with God. The college currently has 80 students enrolled in a year-long English learning program, 150 students in the four-year college program, and over 1,000 part-time community students.

Another educational facility of LCF is in Siauliai. Here a Bible school was started for lay leaders of the churches. Currently it operates one semester per year, but will soon offer a year-long program with the goal of offering multi-year courses. Sheri and Dennis Brooks have been commissioned to serve another term with Eastern Mennonite Missions (USA) and LCF to help further develop the Bible school programs in Siauliai.

MBM/S is not establishing Mennonite Brethren churches but assisting in building up the Free Christian Churches of Lithuania which are seen as truly Lithuanian in nature and structure. MBM/S has four missionary families in Lithuania. Jean and Jerrold Paetkau work in Klaipeda with the LCC as instructors and chaplain. They are also giving leadership to the Klaipeda Free Christian Church by assisting the students who first formed the church. Bob and Susan Gulack work in Panavyzes. They serve as pastoral couple in the new church there. Tim and Carolyn Gartke work in Siauliai where they assist the church and work at the Bible school. Ernie and Elfrieda Reimer are team leaders living in Siauliai who encourage all of the team with their wisdom and insight. Ernie also works with Otonas Balciunas, the national leader of LCF.

The History

The church was started by a group of students from the former Lithuanian Christian College. Most had come to faith or deepened their faith at the school. Seeking a church, they visited different churches in the city but did not feel quite at home. One evening, student Kristina Misiute asked several Christians, "What if we ourselves establish a church?" She had talked to Otonas Balciunas, pastor in Siauliai Free Christian Church, who was very supportive. Most of those asked were excited as she expressed their hopes; a few had some doubts which were later resolved.

The new group met for the first Sunday worship Oct. 1, 1995 and celebrated the birth of Klaipeda Free Christian Church.

Initially, it was mainly students meeting Sunday mornings in one of the classrooms of LCC. As the numbers grew, a hall was rented in the city. The church began to attract community people. "We are seeking ways and resources to reach out to more people and to take the good news to the people of Klaipeda," said one church member.

"We felt strong support and encouragement not only from Siauliai Free Christian Church, but also from the College faculty," said another church member. "Jean and Jerrold Paetkau, have been a true blessing upon us. They have become our great supporters, friends, encouragers and advisers."

The church functions by the biblical eldership model of church organization. "We want to maintain the family feeling, close relationships and openness so that everyone who comes to the church would feel at home here, would have opportunities to contribute and exercise their spiritual gifts," said another church member.

"Free Christian Church is a uniquely Lithuanian denomination, started by Otonas Balciunas who is now a pastor in Siauliai Free Christian Church. Our deeper roots go to the European Anabaptist Movement."

Mennonite World Conference release

Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 36, No. 3 Home Page