Lithuanian Mission Work

Lithuania 1.Country in Northern Europe 2.Largest of three Baltic States 3.Population of 3.2 million (2011) 4.Capital City: Vilnius 5.Occupied by Soviets after WW2 6.On March 11, 1990, became the first Soviet Republic to declare independence

General Info: 1.Official Language: Lithuanian 2.About 60% fluent in Russian, 16% Fluent in English 3.Native Lithuanians: 83.9% 4.Median age: /3 of population in urban areas 6.Population of Vilnius: 542,932 7.Highest suicide rate in the world

Religious Background (2001 Census) Roman Catholic Church-79% Orthodox: 4.1 % Reformed Church 0.2% Eurobarometer Poll (2005) Believe there is a God-49% Believe in a spirit of life force- 36% Do not believe in God or other-12%

CHRIST’S CHURCH IN LITHUANIA 1.Vilnius church: members The church has a university students, families and singles. 2.Klaipeda has about members. 3.There are no churches in other cities but there are believers in other cities.

CAMP RUTA 1.Started in 1998 by two ministers from Mississippi 2.Brought a team of 18 American Christians 3.Held a Christian Camp for kids and teens in the forested hills near Moletai, an hour north of Vilnius 4.Campground was a former Young Pioneer Camp, where children were taught virtues of communism 5.Goal for first camp: 30 kids, Actual: 57

Champions History 2007 Jeremy and Aubri

2008 Jeremy and Aubri, Keely Gibson, Josh Willis, Kaitlyn Bickham and Kay Finley

2009 Jeremy and Aubri Geurin, Rachel Reed, Skylar Massey, Tracine Gibson, Caitlin Johnson, Brett Toldan, Jordan Fontenot, Luke Sandhop, Kandace Keech and Kay Finley

2010 Jeremy and Aubri Geurin, Nathan Thompson, Jacob Reed, Brett Toldan, Jordan Fontenot, Tyler Jones, Luke Sandhop, Tracine & Summer Gibson, and Kay Finley

2011 : Jeremy, Geurin Keely, Summer & Tracine Gibson, Tyler Jones, Chelsey Bell Kay Finley and Kacie Washburn

2012 Jeremy Geurin, Hayden Thompson, Matt Hicks, Tracine & Summer Gibson, Chelsey Bell, and Kay Finley

How We Prepare Team Member Bible StudiesExcursion Trip

Pre-Camp Excursion Helps adjust to time zone Team Building Encourage foreign congregations Cheaper airfare Fellowship w/Latvian Church

Pre-Camp Excursion Life ExperiencesHistorical Significance

A Typical Day of Camp Morning BlastDining Hall

Cabins

Classes Bible ClassHuddle Groups

Activities SportsArts & Crafts

Worship Times Meeting HallEvening Devotional

Why is Camp so important? 1.Major evangelistic tool for the church because most attendees come from outside the Churches of Christ. 2.Many of Lithuania’s church members were baptized at camp (and return to be counselors) 3.Wonderful opportunity for kids to learn about Jesus 4.Time of spiritual renewal for Lithuanian Church members-most are very young Christians!

Why is Camp so important? 4. Time of spiritual renewal for Lithuanian Church members-most are very young Christians!

Meida Camp Ruta is like a holy place for me where I can forget all my worries. I always leave camp as a better person and stronger in my faith. I can’t thank God enough for bringing the camp into my life and for all those inspirational and special people I see every year.

Rimas At camp we can talk with kids about God, what he is doing in our lives, about salvation and that God has the biggest authority in this world. We are spreading God’s word through your contribution in camp because kids want to know more about God.

Evelina I started to go to camp in 1998 and have been every year since. I have met friends there for a lifetime. Although we live in different cities-even different countries—I know I can rely on those people. Even though you go home exhausted, you are spiritually strong and uplifted it seems you can do everything!

Gintare Because of the camp, I became a Christian and, ever since, my faith grows more and more. It’s the place I got to know God, and came back to God, and was blessed with hope. And now it gives me an opportunity to teach kids that God forgives and changes lives.

Juozas and Zivile Camp is one of the greatest evangelical tools in our post- communist society. It allows our society to trust the Church, because-in camp-we take care of their great treasure—their children. Camp is the most encouraging time of my year. To many, it is the first place we experienced what it is like to be surrounded by Christians on a daily basis. Camp inspired Juozas to give his life to God and become a preacher.

Challenges Cost for overseas travel is increasing Lithuanian’s membership in EU: 100’s of Lithuanians, including active Church leaders, have left the country to higher- paying jobs

Challenges Christians are young, both physically and spiritually

Challenges Obsession with American culture

Champions Role 1.Jeremy directs the camp and prepares the curriculum 2.Providing young people and adults to help staff the camp 3.Financial support 4.Prayers

Our Partners 1.Boulevard Church of Christ in Lake Charles: Provides some funding and helps raise funds for the operation of the camp. 2.Gateway Church of Christ in Pensacola: Oversee the work of the two Lithuanian preacher-Juozas and Ilia and help them with their fundraising. Some years sponsor a week of camp for young children. 3.Levy Church of Christ in NLR, AR: Sponsored a family camp for Eastern European Christians for the first time in 2012.

Tyler and His Boys Effect on ChurchEffect on Tyler