What is your ministry?
I serve as worship team leader and preacher in our community churches and sometimes other churches. This year, I took the lead in our discipleship group. In addition, since the pandemic started and we started online streaming, I have been helping the technology team.
When did you trust Christ?
I became a Christian in the spring of 1991. In Lithuania, there was a huge national and spiritual revival at that time. I was a young man searching for the meaning of life. My friend invited me to a meeting where the Gospel was preached. That evening, at the end of the session, I prayed and gave my heart to Jesus.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
It was a remarkable change. I decided to follow Christ and get to know Him as much as possible. I left my old life and went to Vilnius to study in a Bible school. Immediately I joined the church and ministry. The church has grown exponentially, and we have experienced a great revival.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I want to return to gain a deeper biblical understanding of the local church's mission. I want to grow, be inspired, corrected, and enriched by fellowship and experience. In the few years since our leaders started visiting the Forum, I have seen a lot of good changes. The process of church renewal has begun. The discipleship program and groups are growing. More spheres of church life are becoming more and more Gospel-shaped. Also, some people in the church have mentioned that they see a change and improvement in the leaders who go to the Forum.
Through the Year-round Mentoring (YRM) program "Church Life, Leadership, and Planting," I anticipate real growth in my understanding and practice of church leadership. Engaging with a diverse group of Christian leaders from Europe, I look forward to lively discussions, shared Biblical insights, and learning from seasoned practitioners. The combination of live meetings, webinars, and curated readings promises a comprehensive learning experience. I also expect to glean practical strategies for effective leadership, deepen my understanding of Biblical church dynamics, and gain valuable insights into the nuances of planting and nurturing vibrant church communities. Ultimately, I aim to emerge from the program equipped with renewed vision, enhanced skills, and strengthened conviction to serve faithfully and lead effectively within my church context.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I was an assistant evangelistic group leader. First, we traveled around the Lithuanian towns, preaching the Gospel in the streets, prisons, and hospitals. Then, for several years I was a leader of a home group.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
In the few years since our leaders started visiting the Forum, I have seen a lot of positive changes. The process of church renewal has begun. Discipleship programs and groups are growing. The Pastoral team is becoming more and more Gospel-shaped. Also, people in the church have said that they see growth in the leaders that have attended the Forum.
