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Erin Olander

Serving in Eurasia



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Account 2743003

[email protected] Home: N/A

About

 

About Erin  

 

When I was 15-years-old, I prayed a simple prayer, 

“Jesus, I want all that you have for me. You have my yes, whatever that looks like.” 

I believe that because I prayed that simple prayer as a 15-year-old I have been led to say yes to the opportunity to be a Career Missionary with the Assemblies of God World Missions. 

Through simple acts of obedience through ministry school in Rockford, IL, to short-term missions trips around the globe, to working in vocational ministry, to working to complete my degree in Pastoral counseling, as well as a two-year Missionary Associate term in Vilnius, Lithuania; God continues to go before me.

During my 2 years in Vilnius, Lithuania I had the privilege to be a part of a church planting team where I helped establish a discipleship culture. I was a part of building up leaders within the church plant, along with building a culture of servanthood. As Journey Church, the end goal is to raise leaders to help plant churches throughout villages and cities in Lithuania that do not have a Gospel presence. God has been faithful in raising up believers with a strong faith who are hungry to disciple new believers. 

About Lithuania: 

 

Lithuania is 1.4% Evangelical Christian, there is a great need of spiritual renewal and commitment to biblical faith, as a large percentage claim to be Christian because of their family heritage of Catholicism.

Lithuania rests on the Baltic Sea and is known for its beautiful forests and Baltic Amber. The history of this beautiful country is rich. The people are overcomers. Through former Nazi German rule, and Soviet Union Rule, this country has had a barrage of hurt and heartache. 

Even after gaining freedom from the Soviet Union in 1991, there is still a residual effect of the deep wounds of the past that are woven throughout the generations. It’s as if they are carrying the oppression of the past with them. Lithuania is a country where depression is high and mental health is often overlooked and not dealt with. 

  • The suicide rate is the highest of that in the European Union, and double that of the United States. 
  • Alcoholism ranks the third highest in the world. 
  • Domestic violence is one of the greatest crimes in the country, with the staggering stat of 1 in 3 women having experienced domestic violence[1] in their life.  

Over the course of the last two years, these statistics became real stories with real faces and names. Meeting a number of people who have been marked by depression, alcoholism, and abuse has created a deep burden in me to see healing and wholeness brought to the Lithuanian people.

There is a great need for deep healing and restoration in so many individuals' lives. A healing that would take more than what a simple coffee meeting with a listening ear can offer. A healing that comes from prayer, trained counsel, and a move of the Holy Spirit. 

 

Ministry | Dreams

 

My dream is to see the Church in Lithuania equipped to walk with people into wholeness and freedom. To see the Church rich in resources translated into their heart language so that people can be met amid the brokenness, addiction, and oppression with the power of the Holy Spirit. I want to see the loneliness epidemic met with resourced partnership and pastoral care done in the name of Jesus. My prayer is that we would see hope and purpose realized through the power of the Gospel Message in Lithuania and sent to the surrounding countries. 


[1] Pankunas, Gytis. Lrt.Lt, 25 Nov. 2019, www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1119436/. 

 

 

 

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