My first semester at the Baltic Pastoral Institute (BPI) came to an end on December 13th. It has been a very busy semester and very different from what I expected. Many of you have been asking about BPI and so I thought I would answer some questions and give a summary of the past semester.
Why BPI?
Some of you have asked why I am studying at BPI since I already have a seminary degree from the States. There is truth to that and most of the content that we cover in classes is review from my college and seminary days. However, on the other hand, it has also been helpful to be reminded of some of those things. After all, it has been a while since I have had to arrange Paul’s letters in chronological order or discuss the filioque controversy. However, the purpose behind my studies at BPI falls into three categories:
- Latvian language – As I am working toward my B-2 level of language acquisition, I needed a better routine where I was talking more and getting outside of my apartment. Most of our lectures at BPI are in Latvian and it has pushed me to work more on my skills with listening, talking, and writing. Furthermore, I have learned vocabulary that I need for future ministry but that are not included in most Latvian language study guides.
- Building relationships – Through BPI I have been able to build many new relationships with future church planters, current church planters, pastors, and leaders within the Baptist Union. I have been able to see how God is working in different ways in Latvia and how we can help and minister here.
- Learning the culture – Through BPI I am also learning a lot about churches, evangelism, and discipleship in this cultural context. I am discovering who is doing these things well and what they might look like in our context in Ādaži. Furthermore, by studying at BPI, I am learning how they train their future pastors while also demonstrating that I want to come alongside and help. I am not here to tell our brothers and sisters in Christ what to do, I want to come alongside and help with what God is already doing.
What is BPI like?
BPI has not been exactly what I thought in many ways. On the one hand, it has been very tiring and exhausting. Most weeks are Monday-Thursday from 9AM (10AM on Mondays) until 5-5:30PM with an hour break for lunch and about every other week we have classes on Friday and some Saturdays as well. That is a lot of lectures and work in Latvian. After I get home, there is reading, homework, and papers to write as well, so it can be a little exhausting.
The most difficult thing has been transportation into Rīga. The only bus from Ādaži that will get me there by 9AM actually leaves our apartment at 6:40AM and has me at BPI by 8AM. Then I have to take a bus home, or some days, I can take a tram to the outskirts or Rīga and Patty will come pick me up with the girls. So some days I am leaving the apartment to walk to the bus stop at 6:30PM and then arriving back home at 7:00PM. This has been hard on our family in many ways, but it has taught me more about taking Sunday as a true Sabbath rest, spending intentional time with my family and not filling it with idle screen time, and the importance of establishing priorities.
Our classes this semester have covered: Christian History (until the Reformation), Introduction to Pastoral Ministry, Introduction to Theology, Introduction to Old Testament, Study of Pauline Epistles, Hermeneutics, Preaching Practicum, Mentoring, and a book study of Nehemiah. We also had several weekends with activities and seminars.
Highlights from the Semester
- Preaching Practicum – One of the highlights one the course was our preaching practicum in December. I thought I was going to use a translator but at the last-minute, our preaching professor said that my Latvian manuscript was good enough for me to just preach from that. It was uncomfortable in many ways, but I am grateful for the challenge. My grade wasn’t too bad either!
- New Friendships – There are four fellow students in my class this year and we have bonded through out studies and time together. I have also been able to make friendships with the 2nd and 3rd year guys when they come for their one-week a month class. The time-intensive format is difficult, but I also feel like I have been able to build some good relationships with our professors as well.
- Missions Course – One of our classes was a Kairos course on missions and reaching unreached people groups. It was a wonderful blessing to see the students get a grasp for international missions and the need to share the gospel among unreached people groups. It also brought some good conversations about unreached people groups in our own city and country.
- Better Understanding of all Things Latvia – I have been able to get a better understanding of what our long-term role might be here in Latvian and to learn from the wisdom of those who have gone before me. Not only has my Latvian language improved, but I feel like I have a better grasp on the culture and ways that I can contribute to what God is doing here.
What is Next?
BPI is a three-year program with the first campus being full-time study. In the second and third years, the focus is on practical ministry with one week of study in Rīga each month. Currently, our plans are to finish the semester with some modifications once our new little one joins us in January. I hope to continue my involvement with BPI next year as it will allow me to continue to grow in my Latvian, strengthen relationships and friendships, and help develop the next generation of Latvian leaders.
