3 February 2026 | Riga, Latvia [Patricija Oberte]
On 11 January, the Latvian Conference held its annual staff appreciation event in Riga, Latvia, bringing together approximately 110 participants, including employees and their family members, to celebrate a year of service in God’s work and reinforce a shared sense of ministry and fellowship.
The event highlighted the contributions of staff and the support of their families, featuring worship songs, musical items presented by families, and a special surprise for pastors, whose wives performed together for the first time. Elīna Ģipsle, the wife of the President of the Latvian Conference, said, “I experience gatherings like this as a great blessing. When so many talented and warm-hearted children of God, who have served diligently throughout the year, come together to give thanks, celebrate, and even joke, it is truly special. Singing with the pastors’ wives was a small project that brought great joy, and even at the piano, there was a pastor’s wife. Events like this help us experience a little piece of Heaven even here on earth.”
Towards the beginning of the event, participants played a game that encouraged them to get to know each other. They were each given a sheet of paper with descriptions such as “I know three languages” and “I am the oldest child in my family”, and then they had to go around the room and identify people who matched them. This created a fun and lively atmosphere filled with conversation and laughter, as individuals learned new things about each other, with all attendees “winning” lunch when they completed their sheets.
Each employee received a specially prepared gift, and children were given small presents that delighted both their hearts and their appetites. Pastor Miks Možeiko, a local church minister, reflected on this saying, “The atmosphere was cosy and family-like, and staff were generously presented with gifts of appreciation. Gatherings like this allow us to recognise what has been given and what God wishes to provide in the future, and they encourage everyone to enter the new year of service with a smile.”
After the gifts had been presented, all attendees were then separated into teams and given various tasks to do together, encouraging them to work alongside individuals they do not typically interact with. Activities included creatively illustrating moments from some of the key events from 2025, creating a new song based on three words they were given, and preparing a short New Year’s message to encourage everyone for the year ahead. The exercise brought together different generations, with each team presenting their work, filling the room with laughter and joy.
Dace Muceniece, the Conference office administrator, commented, “While it often feels that the behind-the-scenes work is less visible than the ministry of our leaders, I experienced God’s guidance at every stage of this event. People willingly offered their gifts, stepped in to help, and even small details, like finding gifts, were provided in answer to prayer. This reminded me how important it is to trust God’s guidance and remain humble in service.”
[Photos: Gustavs Melngalvis]
