To follow a calling
Interview with BPI student Andris Bite (see his profile), 2008.

Why did you choose to study at Baltic Pastoral Institute? What do you want to learn there?
My entire life has organically taken me to my studies at BPI. In my present ministry I realized that I do not have enough knowledge. I did not want to study theology at Latvia University so news about BPI received as a great joy. I want to get knowledge at BPI in order to understand God better, to become a better Christian, to be a better pastor.

Who had the harder time making this choice - you or your wife?
My wife accepted my decision. We don't have an instrument how to determine whose choice was harder.

How do you understand your calling to be a pastor? How would you explain it to a non-believer?
For non-believing person things that we see often seem stupid. I see my entire life as a string of circumstances that are all aimed at one goal - for me to serve God. I would not be able to explain it to a non-believer. But I could emphasize the social side of it all - to make our society a little bit better.

What circumstances and people have influenced you the most on this road to ministry?
Juris Komels and Dustin Peterson. I am where I am because of these people. It would be too long to explain all the circumstances.

Do you like to read?
Yes! Although now I have less time for that.

How many books have you read?
Many. In medium size library there is nothing left for me to read. I have to add that God has given me a special gift. A book the size of V. Lācis "To the new shore" does not even take the whole night for me to finish.

What are the TOP 5 Andris Bite book list right now?

L. Faithwanger "The War of the Jews".
K.Vonnengut "Sirens of Titan".
R. Jeger "The Rebellion of the Perishing".
S. Hawking "A Brief History of Time".
V. Bianci "A Forrest Newsletter".
Last one is children's book but every adult should read it.

What would you say to a person who is afraid to respond to a calling to be a pastor even though they know that that is what they are supposed to do?
To be honest, I don't know. Maybe I would try to encourage them with some words from the Bible. Everybody has to make their decision for themselves. Of course, if you go against God's will, sometimes donkeys begin to talk. If God gave certain abilities to a donkey, probably He could give them to me as well.

If you were a doctor what kind of medicine would you prescribe for Latvian society.
Colossians 4:1-2. We have to realize that we will all need to give account. And another good medicine - to worry less.

And to churches?
Churches need to have their beliefs but they also need to stop judging and start teaching in love. God has not put us here to judge.

Why do you think churches fail to grow?
Often people do not know what they will receive when they come to church. The "game plan" has to be clear. Do we have that? When I enter a church do I know that things will be like they are supposed to be and not differently? And second, church needs to know what is happening in the world, so it can communicate with the world. We have to finish the foolishness of "I have not read it but condemn it anyway". And a very simply question - how many men who are reading this article know who is the ruling football champion right now? What do you talk about with your friends non-Christians? Do you even have such friends?

What is your life's goal that you would be glad to reach?
To see God's will for my life. To raise my children. To simply be a normal person.

How can we pray for you?
I don't know if what I want is what God wants. Please pray for me, and God will give you wisdom what to mention in prayer.