Weavers Wanderings - An Update on our Missionaries in Estonia

OMS Missionaries, Brent and Colleen Weaver.

Praise God for all the ways He leads and provides. The last time we wrote we were announcing our big move from serving in Ukraine to beginning a new ministry in Estonia.

God was faithful to us in every step of our move. Here are a few highlights from the past months:

We arrived in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, in August 2023. In September, we were able to return to Ukraine to empty our flat and bring closure to our time of ministry there. Even so, we are full of sadness as Russia continues to wage war. In October, we traveled to Manchester, England, where Colleen attended her graduation ceremony and received a PhD in Practical Theology.

Within 3 months of arriving in Estonia we received residency permits that allow us to live here for the next 5 years. November and December saw us travelling around New Zealand visiting many of our friends and supporters. It was such a valuable time to reconnect with people we had not seen for 5 years. In January, Brent was finally able to complete his US citizenship, so now he holds both US and NZ citizenships.

Brent and Colleen in their new home in Estonia.

Life in Estonia

With all of these different things achieved, we are ready to settle into life and work in Estonia. While we have contacts and ministry opportunities with several denominations, our invitation for our residency came through the Estonian Methodist church and so much of our ministry will initially be focused on working with them.

Colleen has already been teaching at the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary (BMTS) in various subjects (Spiritual formation, Inductive Bible study of Mark and Exodus, and Helping people in Trauma). Brent has been helping to teach Theology of Missions, Spiritual formation, and will teach a course on Church development and church planting later this spring.

Colleen teaching at the Seminary

Brent continues to partner with Allar and Piret Saard with whom he has worked as a coach for many years. They are seeking to develop a network of multiplying small groups and to help other church leaders to do the same. In March, Brent will co-facilitate a seminar with Allar in a Baptist church.

Estonian language and culture are new to us so the learning curve to adapt is quite high. We joined a beginner’s Estonian language class in the fall that was hosted by the seminary. Tallinn has excellent museums that have offered us lessons in local history and culture. Participating in the seminary community and in several fellowships with Estonian believers continue to be fruitful experiences where we can learn and form friendships with the people in our community.

The churches here are longing to see a spiritual awakening of people turning to faith in Christ. Rather than the atheism expected, they describe the religious atmosphere as superstitious or religiously indifferent. Please pray for us and the Estonian church as we seek to find ways to partner together in bringing the new life of Jesus into this community.

Love and blessings,

Colleen and Brent.