Last Saturday morning in Riga, a 13-year-old boy was spotted heading out early: uniform on, backpack ready. His destination: Jaunsardze, the New Guard – Latvia's national youth cadet programme, training young people in discipline, character and service to their country.
A few years ago, this same boy was one of the harder ones to reach. Restless, rebellious – he needed a leader who would stay by his side every afternoon. A leader did exactly that. And something changed. G. had found his way to Draugu Cilts – and has now outgrown it.
“Every child that comes to us needs someone to look up to.”
Ronalds Svarups, National Coordinator Latvia
I first came across Youngstars ministry in Switzerland, where it is simply normal for children to gather in nature, learn skills and hear about Jesus. When I returned to Latvia, the idea would not leave me. Latvia has forests everywhere. And more than that: Latvia has children who need Jesus.
In 2022 I founded the Youngstars group Draugu Cilts – “Tribe of Friends” – in the Jaunciems neighbourhood of Riga. The vision was clear from the start: reaching children who do not know Jesus yet and supporting them to become the best they can be.
The need is real: more than 95 percent of people in Latvia have no personal relationship with Jesus, and over half of all marriages end in divorce. Into that reality, Draugu Cilts brings something different: a team of around five leaders heading outside every month with 8- to 12-year-olds – building shelters, learning survival skills, acting out Bible stories. No rows of chairs, no stage. Simply children and adults, out in the forest together.
Camp has become the heart of the year. After a day camp and a camp with one overnight stay, the children slept in tents for the first time last year, thanks to donors from Switzerland. In earlier years, experienced leaders came along from abroad – this year the Latvian team leads the camp mostly by themselves. A real sign of growth!
Camps are where things tend to shift. Two boys from non-Christian homes came back from last year's camp changed – their parents noticed. And there is M.: he simply kept coming. After a while, his mother began attending the local church. M. did not know Jesus when he first walked through the door. Today he does – and he has not missed a single camp.
I want to be honest: this winter has been hard. Attendance has dropped, and two of our leaders have newborns at home. We are a smaller team, doing our best with what we have. But we believe Jesus sees who is there – even if only a few come. Our hope: children who grow up in Draugu Cilts will become mini-leaders themselves and one day lead groups in their own cities. Pray with us for Latvia.
