Evika Siliņa,
a supporter of BPI in Latvia, 2008.

Tell about yourself!
Right now I am a mommy to two children and devote a lot of time to ministry. Since our son is still very young I do not practice in my profession – sworn advocate. Before our children were born both my husband and I were very active in our careers – he is also sworn advocate. But right now I have made a choice to give my time to children and ministry. Both my husband and I want to give them a lot of love and to strengthen in them the significance of the value of family so that they would not have to look for that experimenting unfortunately with their own lives. Family. We spend lots of time with my husband at his family home in Lejasciems especially in the summer that seems so beatiful and green that I want to use every day in order to gather strength for the long winter. My ministry is leading small groups but especially I have taken responsibility for Alpha course (introduction to Christianity in 15 lessons), leading and organizing it.

What was the most important event for you this summer?
Oh! I could say that there were two such events, but I would like to keep one a secret for now. The other one was series of events. Since in the Spring I both led and organized Alpha course, on August 3rd we decided to celebrate finishing up the course, to thank God with special service, and together with two other churces of believers to celebrate our birthdays. I turned 33. It is a very special age! For me this event was full of happy excitement and satisfaction. For me relationship between people has a vary high value, I can put a lot of time and effort in it. Even more wonderful are relationships where people are united by God’s love! It is a special gift of God – to be God’s child and to enjoy this family, this friendship that is united by everybody belonging to the body of Christ.

What does it mean to be a Christian?
As my husband says, „To be a Christian is reaching for the stars.” People often call themselves Christians if they have been baptized at church or attend church during Christmas. In Alpha course there are question whether a person considers themselves a Chritian, and the replies are very different. This term could be argued because this word „christian” is often used without delving into its content or meaning. I like how C.S. Lewis looks at it in his book „Mere Christianity”. He says that often a person uses Christianity that is explained to a six year old child to attack it, but when we tried to explain Christian doctrine that adults believe in, they complain that it is too complicated and makes their heads spin. In very simple words to be Christian for me means to be in constant intimate and loving relationship with the living triune God. I live my life in order to display this very complicated Christian doctrine. I think about my decisions in light of what Jesus did and taught, what was Jesus like. When I get involved in ministry I remember how small is my contribution compared to Jesus’ sacrifice – and it gives me strength to go and work on. Bible says, „Whoever has been forgiven much loves much.” For some reason I apply these words to myself, and am very thankful to God for this gift, and therefore try to live in order to glorify God every day of my life.

What do you think God is doing in Latvia right now? Is there anything special that you want to point out?
Right now God is raising his children in Latvia. He has let us be infants for a while, He has fed us with milk, but now is the time for solid food. Often we wait for something and do not live today, and think that our life is just a rehearsal for something. No, everything is happening for real, we are part of the people who form Latvian society. Therefore for me it is important – which way will Latvia go, will it be renewed, or will it perish? Something that I notice in Latvia is how many people are begining to believe in Jesus because of the people who were Jesus’ followers in Soviet times and times of confusion. I have experienced that a new Christian is wonderful, that they have „living fire” in them to form their relationship with God, and to call new people to Christ. Latvia is still like the bride of Christ, not corrupted, not yet tangled up in all the rights and regulations of Europe which it does not know how to use yet. I just received Alpha course newsletter that says that in year 2007 150 000 people have gone through Alpha course. Impressive, isn’t it?

Why do you support BPI? How do you do it?
I support BPI because I support the spread of Christianity in Latvia in general. But for people to get to know Christ and Christianity they need people that can tell them about it, that can lead services, right? Even though there are lots of churces in Latvia, not all of them have a full time pastor. As I said, we often go to the countryside where church services happen seldom because there is no one to lead them. The world technology has developed, and it is possible to use it all in order to preach the gospel. The good news has not changed, but it is important to change the means by which the news is preached, so that it can reach more ears that hear and eyes that see. Therefore a pastor has to be well versed in modern technology, languages, he has to be able to lead church service in any circumstances because it cannot be obsticle to proclaiming God’s word. I support BPI together with my husband. I have also given a promise to one of the students to support his ministry with our ideas and service when he will return to his home, because it is impossible for one student to gather the body of Christ. It is a difficult choice for a man to choose pastor’s work, but it is especially blessed. I think that none of the BPI students regret their choice at this point.

What kind of pastors do you think Latvia needs?
Latvia needs cultured, educated, zealous, loving, opened, brave pastors who have real and live relationship with God because they have followed their calling to serve and to live for the glory of God. Pastors who are not afraid to go to non-Christians, who are not afraid to leave home turf, who remember that they first serve God, and then people, not the other way around. They should not be so „holy” that there is nothing left for them to do on this earth.

What are you wishes to the present and future BPI students?
I wish that students would not find anything to be an obsticle or insurmountable task that has to be done for Christ and His children. Only through difficulties we grow both in faith and trust, and God loves His children and never gives us work that is beyond our ability, but blesses richly those who are faithful to Him. I say that hoping and believing that the students will be persistant and fruitful in starting new churches, and that they will start these new churches that will opened to people from different social levels of society, that everybody will be able to find a place in these churches and legalism will not be able to kill their ministry. I also pray that the Holy Spirit leads them with His power and with His help, that they are free from the yoke of slavery (Gal. 5:1). Christ has paid so much to set us free from the yoke of slavery, but we quickly get entangled again by taking upon ourselves different organizational responsibilities, and they are part of pastors’ responsibilities – to follow and to fulfill God’s given vision for the church.

How can we pray for you?
I would be truly thankful if you would pray for my health. Also pray for the vision that God has given me for Latvia – to reach the people who have not gotten to know Christ yet as well as for starting new churches in Latvia that God would give healthy core to these new churches that would be able to grow healthy branches.