Latvia Mission Initiative
Lithuania/Latvia Mission Initiative Consultation: April 24-26 in Maryville, TN
Methodism first came to Latvia in early 1921, quickly grew to 20 congregations, and in 1925 sent its first missionary to India. World War II and the Soviet period reduced the church to barely nothing until Latvia regained its independence in 1992.
The rebirth of Methodism in Lithuania is an amazing story of God's grace and God's people sharing with one another. Today, The United Methodist Church in Latvia has 13 organized churches in Latvia (11 Latvian speaking, 2 Russian speaking) .
Two major programs are Wesley Camp, a 30-acre retreat on the shore of the Baltic Sea, and Hope Center, which provides shelter for homeless and underage pregnant girls:
- Wesley Camp and Retreat Center was purchased through the combined efforts of the North Alabama, Holston and Red Bird Missionary conferences and serves United Methodist from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
- Hope Center provides young women shelter, confidence and skills to live on their own by teaching them how to cook, manage their time, shop for food on a budget and give them an opportunity to finish their education, if possible.
Initiative News
- Update on Hope Center for Young Mothers in Need, July 2008
- Center Offers Hope for Young Mothers in Need, UMNS, December 12, 2007
- Proposal for Latvia, Lithuania Conference Advances, UMNS, May 7, 2007
- New Pastoral Leadership Emerges in Lithuania and Latvia, UMNS, May 11, 2006
- Latvia News Archives, 1999 -
Global Ministries Missionaries
View the list of missionaries serving in Latvia.
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