In Mission Together: Lithuania

In Mission Together Mission Trip to Lithuania – June 2026

First United Methodist Church Neenah, WI

Pilviskiai Methodist Church, Lithuania

Royal Oak First United Methodist Church, MI

Calgary Methodist Church, Brownsburg, IN

This past June, thirteen members of First United Methodist Church in Neenah, Wisconsin, traveled to Lithuania for a life-changing mission experience, renewing our longstanding relationship with Pilviškiai Methodist Church. We were joined by two members of Royal Oak United Methodist Church in Michigan, one member of Calvary United Methodist

Church in Indiana, and newly appointed General Board of Global Ministries missionaries, Pastor Joe Riddle and his family. One of the greatest blessings of this journey was the opportunity to share our 13-year In Mission Together partnership with these new friends and ministry partners introducing them to the people of Pilviškiai and the deep relationships that have been nurtured over the years. Watching our Lithuanian friends welcome them with genuine warmth and hospitality was a treasured reminder that faithful relationships continue to bear fruit— creating new friendships, strengthening our faith together, and expanding God's work across churches, generations, and nations.

Since 2013, our In Mission Together partnership has been rooted in faith, shared ministry, and lasting friendships rather than one-time projects. Together, we seek to strengthen one another by sharing our unique gifts, fostering empowerment rather than dependency, and nurturing the spiritual growth of both congregations. Our multi-generational team – ranging from energetic 8 and 10-year-olds to enthusiastic adults and retirees— returned home with the realization that the greatest accomplishments were not the projects we completed, but the ways God transformed our hearts through relationships, worship, and serving alongside our Lithuanian sisters and brothers.

Our days were filled from morning until night with meaningful work, worship, fellowship, and learning. Working side by side, each person contributed their unique gifts and talents as we painted the church sanctuary—up to its soaring, cathedral-like ceilings—refreshing a sacred space that has welcomed worshippers for the past 23 years. We laughed and learned together during Vacation Bible School, shared in Bible studies and worship services, went on a cultural field trip together, and enjoyed a memorable "Community Wellness Day " where we all experienced simple acts of care and kindness while creating jewelry, colorful glass vases, spa activities, and prayer stations.

One of the most encouraging moments of our trip was witnessing a spark of new ministry begin to take shape. During our visit, four local teenagers expressed a desire to start a youth group. One youth shared her love for the church where she grew up and her desire to reconnect, while another youth shared honestly about being bullied, questioning his faith, and searching for a place to turn. Their openness reminded us of the Church’s vital role as a place of belonging, hope, and spiritual growth. Their desire for connection became the foundation for a new youth ministry at Pilviškiai, which launched in August with the hope of welcoming more young people seeking faith, friendship, and community.

Beyond these activities, we immersed ourselves in Lithuania's rich history and culture. One of the most profound moments of our journey was learning about the Holocaust and the devastating impact of both Nazi and Soviet occupation on the Lithuanian people. We visited the Ninth Fort, a site where thousands of people were imprisoned and murdered during the Holocaust, as well as a Jewish mass grave site near Pilviškiai, where we paused to remember the thousands of innocent lives that were lost. Hearing the moving testimony of one of our Lithuanian friends, whose grandparents were deported to Siberia under Soviet rule, made this painful history deeply personal. She also shared about the present day, speaking openly about the fear of Russia and the very real possibility that Lithuania could once again face invasion. Her words reminded us that for many Lithuanians, the history we were learning is not simply something from the past—it continues to shape their lives, their sense of security, and their hopes for the future. Together, we prayed for those who perished, for the families and communities forever changed by violence and oppression, and for a future in which such hatred, oppression, and violence are never repeated. Learning this history gave us an even greater appreciation for the resilience, courage, and enduring faith of the Lithuanian people.

Amid these stories of hardship, we also witnessed remarkable hope. We experienced the joy and energy of the children at Vacation Bible School, celebrated the unity and cultural pride displayed at Lithuania’s traditional Song and Dance Festival, and watched with joy as two of our youth from Pilviškiai participated in the festival’s traditional dance. We were also blessed by the dedication of three young adults who returned to their home church to serve as translators, demonstrating their love for their church and their commitment to the next generation of ministry.

We are especially encouraged by one young woman who, after completing her military service, has sensed God’s call to ministry and is now helping lead Bible studies between our churches. Her willingness to serve is a beautiful sign of continued spiritual growth, connection, and hope within the Pilviškiai congregation.

The most profound gift of this experience was the deepening of relationships with one another. Each evening, we gathered to share our stories, reflect on our faith journeys, pray together, and lift our voices in song. Though we came from different countries and spoke different languages, our shared faith created a bond of love, trust, and unity that needed no translation. Throughout the week, we discovered that Lithuanians and Americans carry many of the same concerns: economic uncertainty, political challenges, health struggles, and the divisions affecting our world. Yet, beyond those concerns, we found a hope that is stronger than our fears—a hope rooted in Christ that connects us across cultures and generations.

We returned home reminded that true mission is not simply about what we do for one another, but about the ways God transforms us through the relationships we build together.

Jeanie Kurka Reimer

In Mission Together Partnership Coordinator | Lithuania & Latvia

General Board of Global Ministries