When I think about the nine years I have spent in Klaipeda, Lithuania, the word that first comes to mind is change,” writes mission volunteer Jackie Bartz. “Nine years ago, the international portion of the student body was a group of Latvians, a Swede, and a Finn. Now students come from over twenty different countries. Regardless of the changes, LCC International University continues to be a community from which the love of God and the peace and joy of the faith are brought to the larger community and the world of its graduates. As for me,” concludes Jackie, “I remain unchanged in my commitment to ministry through teaching and of the power of love and joy as witnesses of the love of God made real in Jesus Christ.”

Russia

Smolensk Baptist Church is an old church that has been through a tumultuous century, but even during times of great trial its members have been open to new, young leadership. In the summer of 2005, a new ministry was launched in response to the deep need in the isolated villages of the region. With a gift from Culdee Presbyterian Church in West End, North Carolina, a small group purchased materials and built a raft to navigate the rivers—stopping at isolated villages to share the gospel. The villagers rejoiced in their gentle, loving visitors and hungrily received the good news. Out of the vision of a few, a new model has begun.

PC(USA) People in Mission
LCC International University (LCCIU): Jacquelin Bartz, mission volunteer (MV), teacher of English as a foreign language, Dr. Eric Hinderliter, coordinator for Micro Enterprise Center, Rebecca Hinderliter, accounting professor • Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy [Russian Federation]: Rev. Robert Bronkema, MV, pastor, Rev. Stacy Bronkema, MV, team ministry • St. Petersburg Lutheran Seminary [Russian Federation]: Hannah Kang, team ministry, Rev. Joseph Kang, theology professor • Rev. Jin Kim, professor of practical theology, Canaan Theological Seminary, St. Petersburg [Russian Federation] • Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists of the Russian Federation: Alan Smith, teacher/counselor, Ellen Smith, coordinator for congregational twinning • Rev. Garth Moller, director, Kargel and Baedeker School, St. Petersburg [Russian Federation] • Gary Payton, regional liaison, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, World Mission, Europe Office [Russian Federation]

Partners/Ministries
LCCIU: Jim Mininger, president • Evangelical Reformed Church in Lithuania: Rimas Mikalauskas, general superintendent • Theological Faculty of Klaipeda University [Lithuania]: Arunas Baublys, dean • Presbytery Partnership: Mission Presbytery with Evangelical Reformed Church of Lithuania

PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Rev. Christian T. Iosso, GAC