Estonia April 2026 #2

Hello, Loved Ones,

Yesterday was a full and encouraging day here in Estonia as we gathered with the CRU team in Tartu! We spent the morning and afternoon at Agapekohvik, a warm and welcoming gathering place for students and young adults run by local missionaries and CRU/Agape Estonia staff. You can find them on Facebook at fb.com/agapekohvik, Instagram at instagram.com/agapekohvik, or their website at agapekohvik.ee. It’s the perfect spot. Very cozy with great coffee, board game nights, a photo club, book discussions, and Student Alpha courses where young people explore life, faith, the Bible, and Jesus in an authentic way. The atmosphere felt like family right away, and it was the ideal setting for deep conversations and ministry encouragement.

Our agenda was simple but powerful: meet one-on-one with the CRU team to listen to their joys, concerns, and challenges in ministry, then encourage them through the gospel, shared personal experiences, worship, and Bible study right there at Agapekohvik.

Pastor Kurt led a moving Bible study for about fifteen young people, drawing from Luke 15:11-25—the beginning of the beloved Parable of the Prodigal Son. He shared the story of the younger son who boldly demanded his inheritance from his father (essentially wishing him dead in that culture), then left home for a distant country where he squandered everything on wild living. When famine hit and he hit rock bottom—feeding pigs and longing to eat their food—he finally “came to his senses” and decided to return home, not as a son but as a hired servant.

Pastor Kurt then connected this to the astonishing response of the father: while the son was still a long way off, the father saw him, was filled with compassion, ran to him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. Instead of anger or condemnation, there was immediate restoration—new robes, a ring, sandals, and a great feast to celebrate the son’s return. It was a powerful picture of our Heavenly Father’s extravagant, pursuing love. No matter how far we wander or how much we squander, God is watching and waiting with open arms, ready to welcome us home the moment we turn back to Him. Our Good Shepherd never stops seeking and restoring His lost sheep. It was exactly the reminder we all needed about the heart of ministry and the hope we offer to every young person who feels far from God.

Worship followed, and it was beautiful. Julia led with her lovely voice, joined by two others on keyboard and guitar. We sang songs in both Estonian and English, lifting our hearts together in praise. The room felt alive with the presence of the Lord as we celebrated the same restoring grace we had just studied.

I had the joy of sitting down over lunch with Hellari, who started in IT ministry and still loves coding—he’s designed many systems that are actively used across different ministries today. He’s passionate about sports (running, skiing, fishing) and his family owns a small farm and zoo here in Estonia that reaches young people year-round through outdoor activities and camps. His wife Mare teaches high school English and just lost her mother a little over a week ago, so we prayed for her and the family. Their twin boys, Joel and Saamuel (both 7), are full of energy and share their dad’s love for sports and the outdoors.

We also had the privilege of connecting one-on-one with the rest of this faithful CRU team:

• Eric from Colorado, now in his third year in Estonia and serving as Student Ministry Team Leader (he was a quarterback back in the States, though American football isn’t big here!).

• Meelike, single and on staff for twenty years, part of the student ministry team. She’s sweet, kind, funny, deeply rooted in her faith, and has a real gift for discipleship. 

• Johannes, the newest Estonian staff member in his first full year with Cru, also serving in student ministry.

• Herman and Kristel Jurgens and their children Tobias, Mattias, Brita, and Hanna. Herman and Kristel have been on staff over twenty-five years; Herman leads CRU/Agape Ministry in Estonia and both serve in student ministry, leadership development, Family Life Ministries, and more. Kristel also leads Significant Woman groups for women’s ministry. 

These conversations reminded us again why we came—to strengthen and encourage our brothers and sisters who labor so faithfully on the front lines. The Apostle Peter captured it perfectly when he wrote,

“For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25)

We are so grateful to be here, standing alongside this team and pointing them to the One who never stops searching for the lost and celebrating every return with joy. 

More encouragement and ministry moments ahead—keep us in your prayers!

Tim

- Tim Dickey