Gintaras lives in Lithuania, which is located north of Poland and south of Latvia. Lithuania has been one of the most occupied countries in all of Europe. During Soviet occupation, it was required that all Lithuanian men serve in the Russian military, so at a very young age Gintaras was called to service. His fidelity and energy earned him a position as a tank commander, with high honors for his abilities.

His training took him to many places, including former East Germany, where many of these pictures were taken. Gintaras did his best to conform to the rigorous life of the Russian military. Their discipline was often severe. A man might be punished for a small offense by being forced to work long hours without sleep. In 1986 Gintaras was released.

After his release from military service, Gintaras decided to follow in the footsteps of his father and brother. He took to the sea on a Russian merchant ship. This gave him opportunity to visit many places around the world, such as Africa, Canada and the South Pacific. Life as a seaman came with the life-style and all the experiences you might imagine. Little did he realize that it was going to be during this time of his life when he would come face to face with death.His ship was an old Russian vessel, plagued by many problems. While on a stay over in Iceland in 1991, the main pipe from the bilge pumps started to leak. It was decided to make the necessary repairs before heading back out to sea. The ship was soon forging its way toward England, crossing the North Sea during late winter. Information came across the weather radio that a hurricane force storm was approaching the North Sea—no problem for the ship and her crew, they had plenty of time to make it to their destination.

This Ship’s Going Down!

Then it happened. The pipe that had been recently fixed came apart. So much water flooded the ship’s lower hull that the bilge pumps could not keep up with the volume. The water level increased at an alarming rate, till the main engine room was flooded. Then came a frightening silence—both engines stopped. The bilge pumps ceased to work also, and it was now evident that, unless something happened to change the situation quickly, the ship was going to sink.

Evening was approaching as they radioed for help. The fear every seaman lives with was now becoming a reality—the hurricane force storm was starting to press around them, tossing the huge ship as if it were a mere toy. With no engines, no power, and water rapidly coming into the ship, there was absolutely no control as the heavy winds propelled it wherever they would. Help was coming, but with driving winds and waves as high as the ship, little could be done to rescue the crew. Each man held on for his life, realizing that this was the night they all might die.

Waves—the biggest ever witnessed by Gintaras in all his years at sea—caused the ship to heave slowly to one side and then the other. They heard a loud sound as the ship tipped once more—all the cargo had shifted to one side, causing the massive ship to list precariously. Gintaras realized that if the ship went down, it would be necessary to jump into the water and swim as far away from the vessel as possible before it went under, otherwise one would get sucked down in the giant water vacuum created by the sinking ship. The other problem was that of jumping too soon, for in the icy cold waters of the North Sea, one would last, at the most, 30 to 40 minutes before hypothermia took its fatal toll.

What to do? As the ship heaved to the low side, the thought ran through the crew members’ minds, “Should we jump now? or should we wait?” Then the ship would slowly roll back the other way. Gintaras realized that this night might be his last. How would he fare in the future life? What would happen if he were to die? The situation was absolutely hopeless. Now the winds were washing huge waves over the ship as it rode lower in the water—it was going down.

Then was heard, in the darkness of the night and over the shriek of the wind, the sounds of helicopters. Help had arrived! They would be rescued! But to their dismay, as the lifelines were let down, the squalls of the storm tossed the helicopters from side to side. There was no way the lifelines could safely reach the desperate men. The helicopters soon retreated, realizing that a rescue operation was too dangerous at this point. All hope was now sinking with the ship.

A Seaman’s Confession

It was during this howling storm that Gintaras asked God for forgiveness, and promised that he would mend his ways—yes, a death bed confession—a prayer for deliverance in life’s darkest hour. With many, as the storm abates, so does the conviction of the need of Christ. So it was with Gintaras. They rode out the storm all night, and with the break of dawn the winds began to abate. In the morning all the men were hoisted by helicopters to the warmth and dryness of a British ship. Cold, exhausted, traumatized, they realized that not one single man had been lost. The old Russian freighter was towed to England for much needed repairs.

Several hours after their rescue, all the men were told they could go to the local pub to drink as much as they desired. It was the best way, they were advised, to deal with the shock and trauma they had just been through. Gintaras decided not to go. Not yet truly converted, still the Holy Spirit was working on his heart, placing a desire in his life for something better.

A Seaman’s Conversion

On arriving home in Lithuania, Gintaras received a Bible from a friend. He was searching for meaning and direction in his life. A few years later he saw an advertisement for a health and Bible seminar being conducted by Jim Brackett in the port city of Klaipeda. Gintaras attended both. During this seminar he realized very clearly that he had found what he had been looking for—truth—truth found only in Jesus Christ. He was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Being a man of great energy, he continued studying his Bible and reading Spirit of Prophecy books. With a desire to begin a health ministry, he purchased 50 acres of land with the hope of someday having a small health retreat. Gintaras began working with Violet Douglas, a former Bible worker instructor sponsored by Laymen Ministries. This last year, he accepted a call as a full time Bible worker with our Lithuania projects.

He now holds health seminars in various parts of Lithuania, desiring to bring hope, healing and Christ to the many destitute souls in his country. In the small city of Telsiai, he and Janaina, another Bible worker, raised up a new church, with about 25 attending every Sabbath and six new baptisms only a few months ago. It thrilled our hearts to visit this church group in October. One man stood and said, “I praise God for the work that Laymen Ministries is doing in our city. It has been a real encouragement to me and to many others.” We all felt humbled by this declaration.

Bible Workers Meetings

From October 16th through the 19th, we held workers meetings with the 12 full time Bible workers and three pastors sponsored by Laymen Ministries. Jeff Reich was the guest speaker, sharing concepts of true ministry with the workers, and how dying to self and living a new life in Christ is the center of our message. It was a spirit filled time, and all were blessed. It was reported in these meetings that the Bible workers now have between 112 to 120 Bible studies per week. That means there are about 504 Bible studies per month. There have been 44 baptisms so far this year—a harvest from these ongoing Bible studies. Two more souls committed their lives to Jesus Christ on Sabbath while we were there!

Unlike big evangelistic events, these people are won by personal labor and study. Each person has made a clear commitment based on a thorough study of Scriptures before baptism. These people are in the Church to stay, and they, too, are being educated to become workers for Christ.

Each Bible worker has a story to tell. Monika is giving Bible studies to her ex-husband, who happens to be one of Lithuania’s most famous artists. Jeff Reich paid him a personal visit one Sunday evening in his big house with its art gallery at the entrance. His art has been sold around the world, one of his recent customers being the U. S. Ambassador to Lithuania. Liuba, another Bible worker, has about 20 studies per week, some of whom have just now made the commitment to be baptized.

Each one of these workers and pastors wanted to make sure to let you know how much they appreciate your financial help each month. They praise God that they are free to work full time in the saving of souls.

The Heart of the Matter

Our hearts are touched by the dedication and earnestness of workers like these. Yes, we have to deal with the hassles, problems, long flights, keeping up with monthly newsletters and magazines, etc. But it is worth it to see honest, sincere people making a commitment to Jesus Christ. That is what it is all about—a new life in Christ. Sharing hope for the future and answers for today’s complex problems. In Him is the answer. May we all learn to trust Him more. We want to thank you for your help and support of these dedicated workers. Amen!

Gintaras Nekis, on the right in both pictures above, on maneuvers with his Russian tank company.

Above: The Russian merchant ship on which Gintaras served.

Below: A carefree Gintaras on deck.

Above: Gintaras translates for Pastor Jerry Bandy.

Below: The church group in Telsiai raised up by Gintaras (center foreground) and Janaina (seated in the pew behind him), also a Bible worker.

These are the Bible workers and pastors being presently supported by Laymen Ministries in Lithuania.