Why serve in Europe?

Dear friends in Christ, 

How do you picture a missionary’s work? A pastor in an old-time sun hat hacking through the undergrowth of a jungle somewhere? This is the very image that came to mind when I was preaching for the Reformation service at the Latvian congregation where we attend. On Reformation Day, we read from Romans 1, where Paul speaks of his desire to go to Rome to preach the Gospel among them (Rom. 1:15). Paul is the very definition of a missionary. And yet, he desired to go to a city where the Church was already present. 

In reality, much of the Church's mission efforts today are done in conjunction and partnership with other church bodies. Fellow Lutherans in other countries reach out to the LCMS and ask for missionary assistance. While it is true that some missionaries are out on their own in remote parts of the world, many of your LCMS missionaries are present in places where there are other Christians. 

This may seem strange to you. How are we spreading the Gospel in these countries? It seems wasteful to plow ground that others have already worked. It may seem that way at first, but we must recognize that mission work in the last two centuries has largely become associated with colonization efforts. That very unfortunate connection in many people’s minds has hindered our ability to go into some places. But, by being invited in by existing churches, we are able to put boots on the ground and share the expertise of the LCMS and our pastors with others. 

In this way, we can partner with other Christians to support their work. The efforts of indigenous Christians are typically more fruitful than the work of outsiders. I will never speak Latvian as well as the Latvians, but I can work with the Latvian pastors and the Latvian church to encourage them in their work. Additionally, I am able to help many others as well. Recently, I presented for the pastors of the Lutheran Church in Lithuania. 

While there is an existing church body in many of the countries where we work, those churches are small and seek to expand their work. This is the work of the modern missionary: helping our local partners carry out their ministry. This is what a true partnership looks like. We don’t come in and tell them how to do everything, but we look for places where we can help and support. 

In this way, the message of the Gospel is spread, and the bonds of friendship and fellowship among Christians are nurtured. That is a truly invaluable aspect of the mission work of the LCMS and one that I am humbled to be a part of. And I am thankful that you are a part of it as well through your support of LCMS missionaries like me and my family!
 

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Cundiff

Cundiff family updates

Our visas have been renewed for another year! We are truly blessed by Māra, who has been helping us with all of our visa and residency needs since we moved here last year. It is such a relief that she is in our corner to make the whole process relatively simple. 

Quintin returned to Rīga from his Ph.D. intensives at long last, only to dive back into teaching, preaching, and writing. He continues to preach often during the English services twice monthly at St. John Lutheran Church in Old Rīga, but he was also asked to preach on Reformation Day at Old St. Gertrude, located not far from our apartment. This church does not have an English-speaking congregation, but the Bishop of Rīga was gracious enough to lend a hand by translating Quintin’s sermon sentence-by-sentence into Latvian for them.

Lindsay continues helping to manage the online courses for the Academy by assisting with instructor and student questions and troubleshooting the inevitable glitches that occur with anything related to technology. She is also gathering up student documentation required for when the Academy is ready to confer bachelor's degrees to all the students in another year or so. Lindsay is still looking into a BSN program, as she needs to procure a preceptor for a few classes that will require some time in the States down the road.

Carter’s school has after-school clubs and activities that the students can sign up for, and Carter chose the cooking, Greek mythology, and literacy clubs. He has enjoyed these thoroughly so far, as he is able to get to know some of the teachers and students (often not from his own grade level) even better.