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Liva Fokrote
Liva Fokrote, the
Academic Dean of Baltic Pastoral
Institute, lecturer at Riga International Bible Institute, participant of
Ropazi church plant. BPI students say about her,”Liva is a restless soul. She
takes care of us, gathers us, tells us of when we deserve it, joke with us. She
is a good leader.” „Liva is like a superhero amazing ability to work, with
inexhaustible energy. She helps us so much both in small and big things.”
How has your character been
formed thanks to your parents?
My parents are good, hard working Latvians. Mom was raised
by her grandmother who was a passionate Christian, member of Matthew church.
She did not make mom go to church, and I have also learned not to pressure her.
Mom learned from her and passed on to me balance between high standard for
herself and others along with warm assurances of love. I have also inherited my
energy from my mom but from dad necessity to process important issues by myself.
I am my father’s daughter; we were
united in our love for basketball and endless humorous conspiracies against
mom. Dad came to Christ on his death bed – that was our last conversation. I do
not think that I was too spoilt as the only child since I could not blame
anyone else for mischief.
Often school years and teachers
influence the future career of the students. What has been your experience?
In kindergarten I wanted to be kindergarten teacher, at
school – a school teacher etc. I liked my teachers alot, and they liked me
because I was a hard working, smart child who did not cause unnecessary
problems. Many years later I found out at my first teacher’s Arija Ozolina
funeral that she was a believer. She really loved me, worked extra with me, let
me help grade papers and read dictations to those left after school hours. When
I became a Christian, soon enough I realized that God has blessed me with the
gift of teaching. At that time I studied Latvian literature at the University
of Lavia and thought that one day I will be a professor there. But God had
different plans.
Who did you come to personal relationship with Jesus
Christ?
I was not especially looking for God. After finishing high
school I decided that God exists, I don’t need Him, and if I will ever have the
need for Him, I will know where to look – at church. In 1994 my best friend
invited me to a meeting with „American young people”. It turned out that these
were students from different universities – Christians from organization
„Campus Crusade for Christ” („Agape” in Latvia). I spent with them the entire
summer, spoke English, got to know some good friends. Joanna, my friend, was
telling me about Christ. I had questions and objections, and it seemed to me
that Christ is just a beautiful idea that does not apply to me personally.
In the Fall I joined a Bible study group, and for me as a
literature student it seemed exciting. At the same time I understood that I am
in a desert of sorts – the friends of my school years were gone, and I had not
found new friends at the University yet. In my relationship with parents I was
experiencing a delayed teenage rebellion of sorts, and I did not see much point
in my studies. On Christmas eve I decided to go through my Bible study
materials – read them and all of a
sudden understood that Jesus has died for me, that my sins are forgiven, that
the Gospel applies to me very personally. That is when I asked Jesus to become
the Lord of my heart and life. At one point I decided that I need a sign that
God has really heard me. I prayed that God would give me all A’s during my
exams. And it happened! Along with a lesson that God hears and answers but
according to His, not my will.
How did you decide to study theology in America? Were you
ever tempted to stay there?
While studying for my M.A., I started working as an
interpreter. At that time the Faculty of Pedagogy started a training programm for the teachers
of Christian Ethics and Morals, and most of the faculty were from abroad. Jack
and Ruby Schendel, retired Doctors of Pedagogy were the main professors there
that I worked side by side. Once they asked me about my future plans, and I
clearly knew that I wanted to study theology. Schendels invited me to come to
Oregon, promised to help find seminary. And it actually happened. Without them
I would not be a person I am now – espeically regarding my life experience. It
was very special to see how a Christian family looks on the inside. Not for a
moment I lost a sense that God wants me in Latvia, and America is just
preparation for his future plans. I got my M.A. in theology and went home straight
away.
You spend your days in the center of BPI study process.
How did God lead you there?
When I studied at the seminary, I had time to pray for God’s
calling in my life. Yes, not just BPI students hava a calling! What I
understood then is still my calling – God has entrusted me to help Christians
better prepare for life and ministry. I have done it through such Christian
organizations as „Agape”, „Josiah Venture” as well as Latvian Christian
Academy, and even more so now at BPI.
I have been at BPI from the very beginning. For me BPI is a
very creative process that involves prayer and thought – searching in the very
beginning, learning from other models in life and from books. Now we can
evaluate what has been done, what to keep, what to get rid of, how to supplement the programm so that
students would be prepared for real ministry. I like to observe how guys and
men grow in BPI context by gaining new knowledge, by being together in everyday
life as well as winning their battles and rejoicing over victories – just like
a real family! God has changed me over these years at BPI as well, especially
my character – I have become less sharp, and more ready to extend grace
accepting peole like Christ accepts me.
Where else do you serve?
For almost a year I have been involved in a church plant in
Ropazi. Because of my studies I cannot be as involved as I would like to be but
there is no doubt that God is working in Ropazi. For about five years I have
been teaching at Riga International Bible Institute. I have tried teaching
different subjects, and have understood that my favorite subject to teach is
the New Testament course on discipleship.
This year you have once again entered Latvia University
in order to continue your theological studies. Do you have any future plans?
Yes, I will study once again. In truth I am always studying
– if it does not involve a school or a programm, I learn from books or
experience of other people. If I have to be honest – these studies are only a
step towards further goals if the Lord will continue leading this way.
Regardless of what we might think about the ideological drift of the LU
Theological Programm, it definitely is capable of strengthening analytical and
critical thinking abilities which I wioll be able to use in my future studies.
I will write my MA theses on Lesslie Newbigin, one of the missionaries and
theologians of 20th century who has encouraged new understanding about the
church which has significantly influenced LBCU vision for about 100 new churches.
What is your heart’s prayer to God?
Some time ago I yearned after wisdom, and constantly prayed
for it until understood that wisdom comes with years, by knowing Christ every
day, by submitting to Him, and it is not related to how many educational degrees
one has, or the quality of one’s education. Now I pray for God Himself – I
don’t know how else to explain it – I want to meet God Himself, heart to heart
so that He would speak, and I would be silent and listen. And afterwards get on
my feet again and enter the race of life!
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