Telling EstonianTelling EstonianStoriesStories

Filling AFilling ADeafening SilenceDeafening Silence

““Once you were not a nation …”Once you were not a nation …”

• Small Finno-Ugric people groupSmall Finno-Ugric people group

• Strategically valuable Baltic Sea portsStrategically valuable Baltic Sea ports

• Long history of foreign rule by neighboring Long history of foreign rule by neighboring superpowerssuperpowers

• 2020thth C. Independence Won, Frustrated, C. Independence Won, Frustrated, ReaffirmedReaffirmed

Dancing with ElephantsDancing with Elephants

• Global Economic InfluenceGlobal Economic Influence– What makes Estonia valuable/secure?What makes Estonia valuable/secure?

• Scando-European InfluenceScando-European Influence– Continental Identity / National IdentityContinental Identity / National Identity– Pragmatic SecularismPragmatic Secularism– Europe’s “Rising Star”Europe’s “Rising Star”

• ““The Cold East Wind”The Cold East Wind”– 2020thth Century’s Greatest Political Tragedy Century’s Greatest Political Tragedy– Political Tension (Subversion?)Political Tension (Subversion?)

Stories from the SilenceStories from the Silence

• Ethnic MinoritiesEthnic Minorities– From Gal 3:27-28 to Rom 1:12From Gal 3:27-28 to Rom 1:12

• Russian-Estonians or Russian Nationals?Russian-Estonians or Russian Nationals?• Partners in the GospelPartners in the Gospel

• Rural RealitiesRural Realities– Progressive Estonia’s “Left Behind”Progressive Estonia’s “Left Behind”– The Poor will always be with youThe Poor will always be with you– The Widow, The Orphan …The Widow, The Orphan …

• The Macedonian Call of Rural PastorsThe Macedonian Call of Rural Pastors

Whose Story Is It?Whose Story Is It?

Alongside the Estonian ChurchAlongside the Estonian Church