Christian leaders were imprisoned or killed, church property was confiscated, and religious activity drastically limited. As a result, a generation of Estonians has emerged in a great spiritual darkness. Social problems are great-there is alcohol and drug abuse, and high crime, suicide and divorce rates. Yet Estonia is experiencing a new beginning. A new government was established in 1992, and the last Soviet troops left two years later.
Today there is a new spirit of hope.
Buildings are being restored everywhere, many of them centuries old and left to crumble under the Soviets. Estonians are beginning to learn what freedom means, making strides to think independently and truly express themselves. Believers in Estonia have a deep desire for their countrymen to hear about the real freedom that is found only in Jesus Christ. Three different groups have invited the Baptist General Conference to join them in making Christ known across Estonia. BGC Global Church Enrichment and Global Church Planting have experience and a growing expertise in these areas, so the Union has invited the BGC to partner with them to strengthen their work.