Lithuania #2 - A Message of Hope

Join us for the Day #2 Vlog from our team visiting Lithuania and City Church. Jessica VanLeeuwen and Jolie Blankenship share their thoughts about the emotional day learning about history and hope.

Archbishop Kestutas Vestalas displaying the typewriter used by Cardinal Segitas Tamkevcias during his Soviet occupation (1970s - 80s). He was a member of the believers’ resistance movement and composed “Chronicles of the Catholic Church” exposing Russian atrocities in Lithuania. He was arrested and tortured in the KGB prison in Vilnius for several years.

Outreach Team visiting with members of City Church Vilnius at Pirmas Blynas (First Pancake). This is the first restaurant of its kind, served by people with Down's Syndrome

Archbishop Kestutas Vestalas visiting with Pastor Saul (City Church), Rev. Matt Merrill (Crestwood), and Tom Boone

Pastor Saul and Archbishop Kestutas Vestalas. A unique friendship in this Catholic context. Of Saul, the Archbishop said, “Here is a leader who is making a great impact on our nation.”

Soviets turned this once Orthodox Church into a warehouse. Today it serves as the home of an active Catholic parish that houses Pirmas Blynas (First Pancake) operated by people with Down’s Syndrome.

Archbishop Kestutas Vestalas visiting with Pastor Saul and Dovaldas (City Church executive pastor)

Closing prayer of an emotional day for our Outreach team with City Church Vilnius leaders

Rev. Matt Merrill of Crestwood Church presents gifts to City Church Vilnius leaders, Lina and Ruta