Sharing Hope for the Next Generation

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - A large, older church built prior to the Russian occupation is the unlikely destination for teachers working to accumulate continuing education credits. But three times a year, Latvian educators make the trek to Riga - the capital and largest city in Latvia - by train, bus or foot. With the theme “Hope for the Next Generation”, this conference differs from typical in-service sessions. This conference teaches the teachers to teach the Bible.

“This is a different conference in that there is a spiritual element to the instruction” states Becky Canterbury, Director of Family Life Ministries at StoneBridge Church in The Woodlands. “They are allowed to use the Bible to teach,” she says. “It is not only allowed, it is encouraged.”

Latvia, a former Communist-led country, is experiencing a spiritual awakening according to Canterbury. Years of political oppression and economic depression create a real need and desire for hope for the country, she says. “The reality is that the Bible answers those things, and you see a willingness to receive the hope that is offered through that message.”

Canterbury adds there is a support from the government for the Bible-based instruction. “The first time that I went, I was sitting across from the equivalent of our Secretary of Education at a lunch that day. To hear him ask questions about my presentation, I was just shocked by the level of support from the Latvian government.”

Pastor Peter Samoylich a native of Ukraine who has lived and ministered in Latvia for many years, began the conference more than twenty years ago. Teachers from throughout Latvia participate at no cost beyond travel expenses incurred to reach the host site. Samoylich houses the participants at the historic church where they sleep on cots in a large room on the third floor, and he provides their meals in the fellowship hall with an adjacent kitchen. Pastor Peter funds the conference with the help of American partners to cover the cost for each teacher at approximately $100 per participant.

Canterbury says there is a significant change in the teachers’ spirits over the span of the two-day conference. “When teachers arrive at the conference, they look very depressed and downtrodden. By the end of the conference, you see joy on (their) faces because they are infused with a sense of purpose and hope that they did not have when they walked in.” And their students benefit from that sense of purpose. “If I don’t feel encouraged, I am not going to be able to encourage you. If I don’t feel hopeful, I am not going to be able to share hope with you,” she adds.

In October, Canterbury will join with other volunteers from StoneBridge Church to travel more than 5460 miles to Riga to facilitate sessions on curriculum with a strong focus teaching with the Bible. Volunteers are handpicked to share that message of hope, she explains. Latvian speakers will partner with the StoneBridge team of six or seven volunteers that includes Senior Pastor Steve Bradley, Mindy Boysaw, the Children’s Ministries Director with experience teaching in the inner city, and Cara Giles, a Realtor with Keller-Williams in The Woodlands and a repeat facilitator for the conference.

Giles calls her contribution to the in-service “From Trash to Treasure”. Art is not part of the school curriculum, so teachers work it in according to Giles. With no funding to do anything extra in the classroom, she presents ideas on how teachers can get their hands on supplies at no cost. “We can’t take anything for granted,” she explains.

“Can we get pipe cleaners? Can we get google eyes? We can’t get google eyes; we usually just cut black paper for their eyes.”

Economy of resources is the motivation behind three crafts that are easy to do with supplies easy to come by, she says. Play dough made from scratch, recycled crayons made from melted-down crayons, and another activity that keeps young hands busy. “The students wind yarn around two popsicle sticks to weave patterns. The beauty of that project is they can pull it apart and do it over again. It works on their manual dexterity.”

Members of The Woodlands, Magnolia and South Montgomery County community can contribute further to the Latvian effort when the StoneBridge Women’s Ministry presents “Waiting”, an evening of food, worship with the group “His Rain” and stories with speaker Sarah Ridgeway on Wednesday, September 10th. Participants will help complete approximately 250 packets that contain inspirational, favorite Bible verses translated into Russian and Latvian for the conference’s teachers. “It’s a take-away that will continue to encourage them throughout the school term,” says Giles.

Doors to the “Waiting” event will open at 6:30 PM for appetizers, and childcare is available. Registration is ongoing at gostonebridge.com/waiting; cost of the event is $25. StoneBridge Church is located at 1 Stonebridge Church Drive between Research Forest Drive and FM 1488. For questions or additional information, call StoneBridge at 281-363-9292.