Estonia, a small country in Eurasia, is filled with historic architecture, rich cultural traditions, and breath-taking natural landscapes. It is also one of the world’s most technologically advanced countries. In the midst of this colorful culture, however, lies a stark contrast.

“Various countries have occupied Estonia for hundreds of years, so Estonians are used to living oppressed and downcast.... Today, however, they are their own nation, but the feelings of oppression persist,” share global workers Jordy and Elizabeth.

Jordy and Elizabeth moved to Estonia in September 2020. They describe Estonians as highly intelligent, hard-working, and introverted people. It is uncommon to greet each other on the street or interact with strangers. People speak softly and concisely.

Estonian people are largely non-religious. Many of the countries that occupied Estonia used religion to oppress the people. Now, Estonians take pride in having no religion. Jordy says, “There’s such a negative view of religion in general that it is very difficult to get to a point in relationship or in conversation to explain that Jesus is meaningful, that faith is meaningful."

How do you bring Jesus to a culture that remains so withdrawn and averse to faith and religion? Jordy and Elizabeth focus on investing in relationships and pointing people to Jesus through their words, character, and actions. They explain it simply, “We’re not convincing anybody to follow Jesus. We’re showing the love of Christ, and through heart and experience and touch, they’re being drawn closer to Jesus.”

Jordy’s love for coffee began very young. “I’ve been drinking coffee since I was a baby,” he says. “My mom told me she would dip her finger in her coffee and stick it in my mouth.”

He and Elizabeth have been perfecting the art of coffee making for years. When thinking about becoming global workers, they thought about their passion for coffee and how it brings people together. They typed in the word “coffee” on Wide Open Missions (https://wideopenmissions.org/), a section of Assemblies of God World Missions’ website. The first result was a position for starting a coffee shop in Estonia.

They began laying the groundwork for a coffee shop in May 2022 at a neighborhood festival. Much like a farmer’s market, people set up tables, sell things, and visit with each other. Jordy and Elizabeth sold cold brew and homemade, soft chocolate chip cookies — nothing like the typical cookie in Estonia.

Elizabeth remembers, “We were so excited because it allowed us to have conversations, and it confirmed what we were thinking. Having a coffee shop allows us access to people in a culture where you need a reason to converse.”

The following year, Jordy and Elizabeth purchased a 1979 orange van which they converted into a mobile coffee shop for festivals, events, and community days. This bright orange van was a bold eye-catcher. Their business quickly became successful because of their high-quality coffee, homemade syrups, and unique American-style baked goods. They soon decided to open a brick-and-mortar coffee shop.

In this shop that’s nestled into an apartment building, they hold board game nights, coffee workshops, Alpha courses, and discipleship groups. The café can accommodate 30 people and is often packed full for events. They also host smaller groups in their home.

Something that gives these events a unique flare is the food. Jordy and Elizabeth bring a mix of cultures into what they serve, ranging anywhere from Chicago style deep dish pizza to street style tacos to homemade lasagna — all very different from Estonian food.

With their inviting personalities, quality food and coffee, and meaningful discipleship, Jordy and Elizabeth are pointing Estonians to a kind, loving God. Kätlin, an Estonian woman, experienced Jesus’ love through these groups.

Kätlin’s friend invited her to dinner and an Alpha course in Jordy and Elizabeth’s home. Loving the unique food they served, she kept coming back for more courses and discussions. Jordy shares, “At some point, she settled in her heart that she was going to follow Jesus.” Elizabeth explains further, “It wasn’t an emotional response. It was a well-thought-out and calculated decision, which is exactly how an Estonian comes to Jesus. They’re not reactive. They’re thinkers. They’re contemplative. They’re resolute. So, when they decide something, they’re fully decided.”

Soon after, Kätlin chose to be baptized — her public declaration of choosing to be countercultural in Estonia.

Kätlin brought her children to her baptism. Jordy remarks, “We just knew at that moment that she was making a generational decision to follow the Lord and to train her kids in the way of the Lord, and honestly, it was through weird recipes and facilitating a conversation that she learned about Jesus.”

God has provided miraculously throughout Jordy and Elizabeth’s ministry. An acquaintance met Jordy on the street and exclaimed, “Hey, I’ve been looking for you!” He then asked Jordy to host the AeroPress National Championship for Estonia. This event brings the best baristas together for a weekend of competition. Since then, more doors have opened for Jordy to host national competitions, events, and speak about coffee through public interviews. “The Lord has given us opportunities to love people extravagantly,” Jordy says.

Making disciples is at the heart of everything Jordy and Elizabeth do. They do not use friendship as a “means to an end” — they simply show people Jesus’ love.

Elizabeth explains, “We meet with people, we connect with people, and we invite them into our homes and into our lives where we pray they find Christ.”

Jordy adds, “We try to connect with people and love them how Jesus would love them and attempt to make disciples in our daily lives. … We don’t have a strategy except to love and bless the socks off them as being led by the Holy Spirit.”

Jordy and Elizabeth became team leaders during their first term. They have 14 team members with 9 missionary kids. More people are also preparing to come to Estonia as global workers.

The ministry in Estonia is growing. People are finding the Lord and the power of salvation through genuine connections that point back to Jesus. In a culture so hesitant to pursue faith or religion, Jesus is breaking through with His all-consuming comfort and love. Generations saturated with apathy are becoming generations of disciples.

Jordy states it clearly: “We love what the Lord is doing here, and we’re just honored that we get to be a part of it.”

By Joy Myers