MIRACLES NEVER CEASE

World Evangelism Celebrates with the Methodist People of Estonia in Dedication of the Methodist Church and Baltic Mission Center in Tallinn

On Sunday, September 10, World Evangelism and Methodist people from around the world joined with the "people called Methodists" in Estonia in celebrating the opening and dedication of the magnificent new EESTI METODISTI KIRIKU in Tallinn, Estonia. The day climaxed almost six years of construction of the building which serves as the home for the Estonian-speaking and Russian-speaking Methodist congregations in Tallinn. In addition the building houses the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary, the Christian Education program, Youth Ministry, Book Store and a "Soup Kitchen" for the care of the elderly and poor. Plans are that the new building will also house the new Korean-speaking Methodist congregation in Tallinn.

The first hymn sung by the congregation in the 700 seat sanctuary was Charles Wesley's Anthem of Methodism, "O for a Thousand Tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise." On this day, it was literally true as a thousand tongues raised their voices in song, "Jesus the name that charms our fears…." The song reached a crescendo as the great throng of persons from all over Estonia sang the words, "he sets the prisoner free."

Bishop Hans Vaxby, Bishop of Northern Europe, including Estonia, said this church provides a window to God and to the world. Alongside the Superintendent Dr. Olav Parnamets, Bishop Vaxby led the congregation as they prayed that God would consecrate the building for worship, teaching, converting sinners, comforting the sorrowful, and encouraging children and youth to the honor and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Leaders of the Methodist Church throughout Estonia invited the people to be renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit and to be made new for the worship and service of almighty God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Bishop Sundo Kim, pastor of Kwang Lim Methodist Church in Seoul, Korea reminded the congregation that this is the church of Jesus Christ and called upon the people to "spread the good news of Jesus."

Dr. H. Eddie Fox, World Director of Evangelism for the World Methodist Council said that this building is God's miracle. Conscious of all the great cloud of witnesses which surrounded the day of dedication, he called the names of faithful leaders of the Methodist Movement in Estonia which had suffered much under oppression: Karl Kuum, Martin Prikask, Hugo Onengo and Alexander Kuum. Pointing to the design of the new building in the shape of a ship, he challenged the Methodist people to "Offer Christ. A ship's purpose cannot be fulfilled if it remains in the harbor. This church has raised the cross of Jesus Christ high above this beautiful city and now we must spread the gospel of Christ Jesus to bring wonderful news of healing, hope and salvation."

SACRIFICIAL GIVING BY MANY

Persons from around the world joined with the people of Estonia to build the church to the glory of God. The beautiful, unique structure is the result of the dreams, visions, prayers and support of persons from many places. The Kwang Lim Methodist Church in Seoul, Korea gave one million dollars for the new center. The Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church in USA gave nearly one million dollars toward the building of the first "home" for the Methodist family in Tallinn in more than 50 years! Special benefactors of World Methodist Evangelism gave $700,000 for construction of the new church building. Over two million dollars were given through World Methodist Evangelism during the six years of construction, including generous support from North Georgia, South Georgia, Oklahoma and Kentucky Conferences. Nearly a million dollars was given by the General Board of Global Ministries from the Millennium fund and the Advance, including generous support from the Mississippi Conference. "Friends of Estonia" from across the USA encouraged support for the major effort.

These world supporters, many of them present for the special day, stood alongside the people of the Tallinn Methodist Church. The sacrificial giving of the Estonian people for the new church was dramatically illustrated in one offering in which two widows gave their gold wedding bands to help build the new worship center in the heart of their city.

The Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary with over 50 students is housed in the beautiful center. The fully accredited seminary by the state of Estonia has one of the largest student bodies of any United Methodist Seminary in Europe. Sound-proof translation rooms enable persons to attend class and participate in three languages simultaneously. Russian speaking and Estonia speaking students study and pray side by side as they prepare for many facets of Christian ministry. One of the graduates is serving as a missionary to Russia in the Siberian region. Many graduates are serving as pastors of new congregations in Estonia and Latvia.

Fox said that the opening service reminded him of his very first visit to Estonia in May, 1980. On that occasion hundreds of persons gathered for worship and a third of the congregation had to stand for the two-hour worship service. "I felt a flood of emotion as we stood to sing the words, 'Great is thy faithfulness.' The people of God called Methodists have by the grace of God persevered through 50 years of oppression and Soviet occupation. And now today, we celebrate with them the event of the century for the Methodist Movement in Estonia."

Parnaments said more than once throughout the week-end, "This is God's miracle." Many leaders of the church said we have prayed for many years and through the grace of God and our many friends our prayers have been answered. Superintendent Parnaments said that we are so very thankful to all our friends for their help. "As we have been given such a gift, we have been given a great responsibility."

Leaders of the Christian Council of Churches joined in the celebration. Lutheran Bishop Soone said, "Here on this corner was a place for a junk-yard. Many persons came looking for something in the yard. Today, they will come to this corner and in this beautiful place, people will find that which is most valuable, Jesus Christ."

At the conclusion of the day of celebration the people prayed in many languages the Lord's prayer and in unison they affirmed "Jeesus Kristus on Issand." (Jesus Christ is Lord.)

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