By Chuck Kelley

    RIGA, Latvia – On January 8th, 2008, the new Baltic Pastoral Institute opened its doors for the first time. At a special Dedication Celebration at the Latvian Baptist Union house in central Riga, teachers, pastors, leaders of several denominations and foreign guests gathered to offer their encouragement and prayers. The ceremony ended with older leaders laying hands on and praying for each student.

    The first class consists of 13 students, all hand-picked by Peteris Sprogis, the Bishop of the Baptist Union and the driving force behind this vision.  Most of the students are already pastors or youth pastors, and are hungry for instruction in the Scriptures and training for a life time of ministry.

    BPI is possible because of multiple partnerships and is proving to be a fine example of what happens when ministries work together to accomplish what they could not do alone. Bridge Builders International is one of the key partners in establishing BPI.  Other key partners and supporters include Josiah Venture, Greater Europe Mission, Evangelical Development Ministry, Immanuel Baptist Church in Highland, California, the First Baptist Church of Richardson, Texas and Highlands Community Church of Renton, Washington. Other partnerships are developing.

    The core leadership team includes Director, Peteris Sprogis, Dean of Academic Affairs, Liva Fokrote (Josiah Venture missionary), and myself, Dean. Paul Reed from Highland, California will join the leadership team in April when he moves to Latvia.

    BPI will utilize both Latvian instructors as well as foreign specialists. Latvian instructors include Edgars Mazis, Martins Balodis, Ilmars Hirss, Peteris Sprogis and Olegs Jermolajevs.

    The following visiting instructors have already taught or have been scheduled to teach in 2009:  Don Richardson, Larry Stout, Ken Pitcher, Bill Zipp, Bruce Bruinsma, Keith Potter, Greg Jamison, Al Jackson, Steve Macchia, Brian Doyle, Jim Amandus, Peter Kelley and Sam Earp.

    The following missionaries, who live and serve in Latvia, are also teaching: Mark Sandberg (Greater Europe Mission), Scott Runzo (Josiah Venture), Dustin Peterson and Chuck Kelley (both with BBI).

A summary of the vision and mission of the Baltic Pastoral Institute:

    Our Vision – What do we want to see?  The vision of the Baltic Pastoral Institute (BPI) is to see the development of healthy missional pastors who will establish and lead churches and Christ-honoring communities in the Baltic region, beginning in Latvia, toward effective local, national and international ministry.

    Our Mission – What do we do?  The mission of the Baltic Pastoral Institute is to train, mentor and equip carefully-selected young pastors to present the Gospel and establish and lead high-impact churches in strategic locations in Latvia, throughout the Baltic region and beyond.  The development of BPI is intrinsic to the Latvian Baptist Union’s goal to plant and/or replant 100 new and healthy churches in the next ten years. NEW CHURCHES REQUIRE HEALTHY PASTORS WHO RECEIVE INNOVATIVE TRAINING.

    Our Foundational Strategy – How will we do it?   The foundational strategy of the Baltic Pastoral Institute is to create a balanced environment that simultaneously emphasizes, over a three-year period, four foundational pillars.

1. 1.   

   

   Content – This is training for the head. What do we want our graduates to know? 
   

2. 2.    Competence – This is training for the hands. What skills do we want our graduates to possess? 
   

3. 3.    Character – This is training for the heart. What kind of men do we want our graduates to be?
   

4. 4.    Culture – This is training for the heat. How can our graduates be best equipped to effectively engage the real world?
   

    BPI needs and will need special and ongoing financial support from within Latvia and abroad. Funds are needed in three primary areas:

1. 1.    Capital improvement fund for the reconstruction of classrooms, offices, student fellowship room, cafe, stairwells and visiting professor guest room.
   

2. 2.    Student scholarship fund for individual academic and living costs for some of the students who are already supporting families.
   

3. 

   3.    General fund for ongoing operating expenses related to salaries for staff, teachers, library, communication, travel, administration, etc.
   
   Those wishing to support BPI may do so through BBI.
   

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