Introduction

Valmiera is one of largest towns in Latvia and is situated in Vidzeme’s region. Population in Valmiera in year 2005 (May) – 27 514 thousand inhabitants. In Valmiera, there are several high schools as well as Vidzeme’s University-College. Valmiera is an industrial town. There is glass fiber and dairy processing factories, etc. Hence, as Valmiera’s city council has announced the plan to develop a friendly environment for entrepreneurship. As you may gather, there are many places in Valmiera where you can be and share the message of Christ.

Valmiera’s Baptist church

Valmiera’s Baptist church was founded almost 100 years ago in 1912 (after 3 years).

Today, in the church, there are 51 members; in which almost a half of the church is filled with young people. The church pastor is Andris Akmens.

Ministry

v The most significant ministry of all in Valmiera’s Baptist church is the morning prayers that start at 6.30am every day (except Saturday mornings), and everyone who is a church member or not are always warmly welcomed to take part.

v Every Sunday at 11am is a morning service, and the youngest children would go to the Sunday school during the morning church service.

Since September 2009, the Sunday school is on Sundays from 11.30am till service ends and singing lessons on Tuesday at 5.00 pm.

The Sunday school lessons are organized with wide range of activities, such as, the Bible study and singing. Furthermore, every Sunday, the 3^rd activity varies, for example, it can be a drama, handicraft or origami, etc. – so that it would be a surprise for kids.

For so many activities God has blessed us with 10 Sunday school teachers.

Every Sunday we have about 15 children who regularly attend the Sunday school.

v This is a 2^nd year when we have a Bible study in home teams. Currently, we are studying the "Money" by Crown Financial Ministries.

v In the musical ministry most of the youth are girls (girls’ choir). In addition to the previous sentence, in musical ministry, The Sunday school children and young people are also learning how to play various musical instruments, such as, flute, piano, cello, violin, guitar etc.

Mission

v The Baptist church union of Latvia has proclaimed a goal to plant 100 new churches in 10 years and Valmiera’s Baptist church is putting all its efforts in order to support this idea and make this plan into reality.

v On August 2006, four church members and the pastor went on to the mission trip to Bashkiria, Russia.

 As well as being effective in ministering its people, Valmiera’s Baptist Church is also focused on developing fellowship among the church members. After Sunday service we can be in the fellowship with one another by having tea and some snacks (everyone is invited).

As the church we also travel together. For example, this summer, we visited churches in Kurzeme and during that time, we were also able to do some exploring and sightseeing. In autumn we also went to a one day trip to North Vidzeme, to Aluksne Baptist church, where we also managed to do a little bit of sightseeing.

 Our church is thankful to Valmiera’s Seventh Day Adventist church, for allowing us to rent their premises for last 20 years.