To love God not ministry
Interview with BPI student Dainis Pandars (see his profile), 2008.

What has been your ministry up till now?
Right now I am youth leader at Ogre Trinity Baptist church, as well as serving in the movement "True love waits". If God in His grace would not have changed my heart before five years, I could not have pictured that I would be doing what I am doing now. Now I look into my heart and see that this ministry is very near to my heart. I do it with great joy.

Why did you choose to study at Baltic Pastoral Institute?
I realize that I need extra education for my future ministry. In fact I find it very interesting to find out something new in order to share with others. I want to be together with brothers I wish to learn something from, even though I do not even know all the things I should be learning. When we are with people God shows us our weaknesses. That is my wish - to have greater spiritual endurance because in our weakness His strength can show itself in mighty way!

How did you wife react to your choice to study at BPI?
Her reaction was good. She said "may God bless you!" It is a new stage in our lives that will encourage trusting more and going nearer to God, and I believe that my wife and I will grow even closer.

Do you have any words of encouragement for the future BPI student wives?

Well, I could tell them, "If your husband will truly love God more than ministry, you will be loved as well. It lays responsibility on your shoulders because Satan will sometimes try to set you up against your husband. But your reward in Heaven will grow because your husband will find it very hard without your support. That will be your ministry."

What would you say to a person who is afraid to respond to a calling to be a pastor even though they sense that that is their calling?
It depends on the caller. If a person calls somebody than there is foundation for potential problems both for the caller and the responder. But if God calls you then fear comes from devil. This fear comes from devil not from God. I am very strengthened by a verse in 1 Thess. 5:24, "The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." Bible has a lot of wonderful promises where God encourages people to follow Him. It seems to me that if a rich company called people, more would respond than when God calls. And it is very sad because people do not truly understand what a wonderful Person has called them. It is great grace! I would suggest that this person prays and spends time with God as long as all the doubt whether to respond or not will disappear.

Why do you think there are not enough pastors in Latvia?
I don't know. Maybe because many don't know God and don't try to love Him with all their heart, strength and mind. A lot depends on our desire - do I want to love God, or do I love something else more.

Why do you think churches fail to grow?
Probably a prophet could answer this but I am not a prophet. I will just give my thoughts. I think that formalism and injustice have overcome love. That potentially can quench the work of the Holy Spirit who is the only one able to convict a person about sin, justice and righteousness. There cannot be a living relationship with God if we do not listen to God. Bible has lots of examples where preachers and pastors preach but do not live according to God's word in their own life. It is hypocrisy. We have to beware of it and that includes me as well. Because God does His work through us but are we willing to deny ourselves in order to not get in His way? It is a challenge for us every day.

What is your life goal that you would be sorry not to be able to reach?
Obedience to God. If that will be lacking then other problems will come up just like in the Garden of Eden. If my goals are not God's goals, whom am I serving? Boss is happy when his employees obey him because then it is easy to lead and work goes forward. If I do not obey God then any goal in life can remain unreached. If He is Lord, He sets the goal which I have to reach. And God's goal for His servants is revealed in the Bible - to proclaim gospel of Jesus Christ.

Please tell me about three things that bring you the most joy in life?
The Triune God. My wife. A newborn person. These three bring me true joy. I hope it will not change. I could add children to my wife which we do not have yet. In fact, it is hard to tell which of these joys is greatest. It is a different joy for each one of these three. Joy can not be measured because the law is not against such things as we read in Galatians 5:23. I think that true joy comes from the Lord, and everything that comes from Him is good.

How do you picture your ministry in 10 years?
I do not think about that. I am not building my ministry career but simply try to do what I understand that needs to be done. My ministry is first service to God. That is how I think about my ministry in ten years. To continue to serve faithfully to Him. If my ministry will become more important than God then it will not be Biblical ministry anymore.

Do you believe that Latvia will have 100 new churches?
I wish it to be so. And it is not impossible. But it is important who I trust in. Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight." If obedient Christians will respond than God will do His work. You cannot measure spiritual things with numbers.

How can we pray for you?
I pray with all my heart and strength, and mind that God's will and not my will is done in my life.