From the mission field: God’s work in Latvia

The Rev. Dr. Quintin Cundiff teaches Luther Academy students in Mazirbe, Latvia, in June 2023. The one-week intensive course was on the subject of congregational catechesis. Eight students from six different countries attended. (Lindsay Cundiff)

This month’s update comes from the Rev. Dr. Quintin Cundiff, LCMS missionary to Latvia.

There are times a missionary can see the fruits of his work and many times when he cannot. There are interactions and conversations that a person has, with no idea what fruit they will bear. However, we are encouraged by God’s promise in Isaiah 55:11 that His Word will not return to Him empty. Let me share with you three separate stories of God’s work that He has done through the LCMS’ work in Latvia.

The first story was relayed to me by one of the young Latvians who has also been attending our English services. Over the summer, my Latvian friend attended a conference for young people in Europe called “Corpus Christi.” Think of Higher Things, but for college-age people. While there, a young man approached my friend and excitedly said he had become a Lutheran in Latvia! He was traveling through Riga and went to the English service, and that Sunday, he decided to become a Lutheran and went home dedicated to learning more about the faith. That growing faith led him to attend the “Corpus Christi” gathering this year.

The second story regards another Latvian with whom I was building a relationship in the first year that we were here in Latvia. However, due to his schedule and mine, we lost touch a bit. We recently reconnected, and we also sat down and had a good conversation. I rejoice at this. He was open to hearing the Gospel in the past, and we are slowly helping him to engage more with the faith.

The third story is one that fills me with joy. One of our students at Luther Academy is a pastor in his home country. When I first started teaching him, he was new to the pastoral office. He has grown a lot in this role as pastor. This last summer, at the same “Corpus Christi” conference mentioned above, he took a group of young people from his congregation. Additionally, he was invited to lead a plenary session, and he did so over a few days of the conference. It brings me great joy to see our students growing not just in knowledge but into their vocations and the pastoral demeanor that is so important for sharing the Gospel.

Without the continued prayers and support of people back in the United States, this work would not be possible. As we move into another academic year for the academy, please join us in prayer for our students, the lecturers and all involved.

Learn more about the Cundiff family at lcms.org/cundiff .

Posted Nov. 1, 2024