East European Missions Network

December 2009 Newsletter

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the irbes

Rev. Martins & Gunta Irbes: Missionaries to Latvia

Martins Irbe grew up in a Latvian speaking home in Indianapolis, Indiana. Gunta grew up in Toronto, Canada. Both learned the Latvian language as children. Martins and Gunta have been EEMN missionaries since 1998. Because they both grew up in Latvian speaking homes, they speak it fluently. Their two oldest children have moved back to the US. The youngest, Inga, is still living with them.

Martins and Gunta spent their first five and a half years of ministry in Ruijena, near the Estonian border. Martins served as pastor of St. Bartholomew’s Lutheran Church. (Like many others, this large church is not heated even in the dead of winter). In September of 2003, they moved to Saldus, where Martins was the Director of the St. Gregors School of Christian Ministry for just under four years.  In the summer of 2007, they relocated to Riga, the capitol of Latvia, where Pastor Martins took a call to a local Lutheran mission church near the Baltic Sea.  Read about the Latvian Lutheran Church 

The Irbes are also involved in other outreach ministries, including:

·        Latvian Evangelical Alliance

o       In the fall of 2002 Martins was one of the founding members of the LEA  and has been on their Board of Directors from the beginning.  At their first annual conference, Gunta was also appointed to the Board and is now coordinating the prayer work-group.  The unity movement in Latvia is developing in a way that seems to be different than any other country in the world.   Latvia has strong Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches that are forming a unified voice.  This is undergirded with prayer, individually and corporately.  A yearly event, LEA Prayer Days helps to develop lasting friendships would be established among the denominational leaders. Please pray that this prayer movement would develop a unified prayer strategy for renewal in Latvia.

·        Sanctity of Life Ministries

o       Each November, Irbes organize an inter-confessional Sanctity of Life Conference is held in Riga. Leading representatives from the four major denominations in (Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist and Orthodox) participate, as well as influential members of the government. The purpose of these conferences is to raise awareness among Christians and the general public that all life is created by God, therefore sacred, and must be protected. 

 
         ·      National Prayer Breakfast

           o  Pastor Martins and his wife Gunta have been a catalyst and major factor in their being a national prayer breakfast the past few years in Riga, which include participation by many major Latvian political figures.  

 ·      Via De Cristo

           o  Pastor Martins has been very influential over the past few years in bringing this exciting Pastor/Lay Minister training retreat movement to Latvia.  Via De Cristo, or "Way of Christ", is designed to inspire, challenge, and equip local church members for Christian action in their homes, churches, and communities.  Besides being a leader at these training events, Martins  has also been integral in bringing this program to neighboring countries, to include Sweden.

·        Latvia English Bible Camp

o       In July 2005, the first English-Bible Camp was held at Striki School, just 7 kilometers from Saldus.  The Irbes coordinated the camp with EEMN and served as hosts for the short-term team throughout their stay.  The camp went extremely well as the Gospel of Jesus Christ was proclaimed to more than 70 students.  Since then, the camp has continued to operate the following three summers, this past year operating at a capacity of 100 students.  The team shared wonderful reports at the end of the week this past summer and plans are being made for a 2011 English Bible Camp.

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	Title	Date	Options
	Irbe's Ministry Profile	12/15/2005