Estonia!

Several dozen students gathered in anticipation for the start of the event. It was Board Game Night at Agape Kohvik, the coffee house run by the staff of the Cru movement in Tartu, Estonia. I was there last week with around 50 students, from Estonia and all over Europe, who attended to play games, drink coffee, enjoy iced tea and chocolate chips cookies (in a nod to their guests, the evening offered an American theme).

Estonia, one of the Baltic republics and a former member of the Soviet Union, is the most secular country in Europe. After years of Soviet indoctrination, little remains of the former Christian heritage of the nation. Faithful churches and groups like Cru continue to reach out with hopes to bring a new generation to an active and living faith.

I was impressed by the warmth of the Agape (Cru) staff and their rapport with the crowd of primarily non-believing students. This is truly a place the student’s enjoy coming. From this event and others, the staff introduce students to programs where they can investigate biblical Christianity, also offering Alpha courses and Bible studies. They continue to see a steady number of young people grow curious about God, investigate further and then come to faith. It was encouraging to see their work!