“We’re in between fields and forests” Pastor Rando said, as he described his country church outside the village of Mooste. 

In the decades since the fall of communism, Estonia has become known in recent years for its technological innovation and successful startups. With these advancements, it’s easy to forget that the country of 1.3 million people is mostly made up of small, quiet towns. 

In Estonia, silence and solitude are highly valued, and spirituality, if acknowledged, is not found in a cold church building. 

How do you reach people with the gospel when they’re socially disconnected, scattered across small towns, and resistant to religion? 

Converge global workers Crick and Mindy Porier began meeting with a young woman. She had come to faith in Jesus as a student, and upon returning to her hometown, she realized there wasn’t a single other believer there.  

If anyone was going to reach her family, friends and neighbors with the gospel, it was going to be her. 

Crick and Mindy began mentoring her, and soon, seeing this need among other young people who had come to know Christ as students, they began the South Estonia Outreach Project.  

Isaiah 43 says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”  

In the fall of 2021, at a meeting for Estonia church leaders, Crick and Mindy shared their vision to reach South Estonia through its youth, and they were commissioned by Estonian and American pastors.  

Learn more about the South Estonia Outreach Project

Four years later, as in Ezekiel 47, God is turning the trickle into stream that promises to grow stronger in the coming years. The team has grown to include 14 young men and women who are leading outreach ministries, youth programs, and churches.  

Crick and Mindy are mentoring these young leaders, providing community, support, and prayer, and encouraging them in each of their unique missions to share Christ in their areas of influence.  

For Rando, it’s in his small country church, where he’s encouraged his congregation to adopt a “go-to” rather than “draw-in” mentality.    

Soon after accepting the pastoral position, Rando began by introducing himself to every person he could in the neighboring villages. After two years of building relationships with members of the community, the director of the youth center reached out. Together, they set up a sports club, a place for young boys and girls to find connection, and an opportunity for Rando and the volunteers to share the gospel.

The church has also done movie nights and concerts, always seeking opportunities to get into the community, build trust, and share the gospel. As Rando tries to make inroads in this small, skeptical community, having a team in the South Estonia Outreach Project whom he can text and call, seek advice, pray with and be encouraged by has been essential.  

Einike, just out of college, became the youth leader for her church – the only church in Antsla county. She began setting up youth events and groups.  

They added an expansion to the church building, adding a large kitchen, rock wall, and even a sauna. In Estonian culture, is the place to connect and open up to one another. If you want to build a trusting relationship with someone, you don’t go out for coffee together, you go to the sauna.  

Soon, the local community center reached out to Einike, saying they would like to cut back their hours since all the kids were hanging at the church. The church is becoming the heart of the community.  

Piia and Leho have been mentored by Crick and Mindy for years. In 2022, Piia accepted the position as the new leader for the Refuge, a youth outreach center in the heart of Tartu started by Converge global workers. Piia is mentoring the group leaders who host cooking classes and youth groups in the Refuge. 

▶ Hear more from Piia about her vision for the Refuge 

“When they invited us to South Estonia team, we didn’t really hesitate or think too much because we knew it would be a good thing and they would invite us for a reason,” Piia stated. “I think the biggest thing has been just being a part of something, a part of a group – someone that supports you and prays for you and you can pray for them . . . and just serve each other.”  

Now, Piia and Leho have taken their next bold step – they joined a church planting team that is reaching students in Tartu. As they’ve ventured into this next phase of ministry, they’ve depended on the support of the South Estonia Outreach Project team.  

“You need some boldness to start a church or to join a planting team,” Piia said. “And it’s been really nice to have that support  –  mentally and spiritually and also financially.” 

Mai-Triin started in the junior youth group at Crick and Mindy’s church. Years later, she’s leading the junior groups at the Refuge, helping the next generation of youth explore topics of faith and find connection.  

New global workers Seth and Michelle Adkins are also joining the South Estonia Outreach Project, relying on the team for guidance, encouragement, and prayer as they begin language study and immersion into their church and community in Tartu.  

“We’re now in 18 villages,” Crick said as 2024 was coming to a close. “And I believe God will continue to move in these tough areas where the gospel is resisted.” 

And He has. The hope of Jesus is spreading across the quiet towns in South Estonia. Less than a year later, the South Estonia Outreach Project team is working in 29 towns. The Church is building a reputation, not as a cold structure but as a community of people filled with the love of Christ.