"Now there is no question that this building is a church and diaconal, and it will be the center of activity for the whole Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lithuania," wrote Rev. Darius Petkunas about the steeple raising.

In 1938, the Lutheran church in Palanga, Lithuania, was burned. Members were not allowed to rebuild, or worship. During Lithuania's 50 years of Soviet rule, Lutherans were forced to worship in hiding. In 1990, Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to declare its independence and Lutherans began worshipping again in their homes.

Now able to worship freely, the Lithuanian church is determined to rebuild. Iowa District East, committed to helping the Lithuanian church build a new ministry center in Palanga, Lithuania, raised $467,000 over the last four years — with marathons, Sunday school offerings, servant events, and individual gifts. The new building will house a church and diaconal (mercy) center to serve the needy. LCMS World Relief and Human Care agreed to a $100,000 matching gift opportunity to help build the facility.

The project is well underway. In November 2007, volunteers from IDE helped install flooring and drywall in the massive, three-level center. Unfortunately, inflation is increasing labor and construction costs. Rev. Darius Petkunas, a Lithuanian pastor who is leading the effort to rebuild the Palanga congregation estimates another $200,000 more is needed to complete the building.

A construction worker measures a support beam for the ministry center's steeple.

"This project is taking longer than we expected, but it remains very much a symbol of hope," said Rev. Dean Rothchild, assistant to the IDE president. "It affirms Jesus' promise that, no matter what the challenges, the church will endure."

Help LCMS World Relief and Human Care and IDE help the Lithuanian Lutheran Church complete the ministry center in Palanga, providing a place of worship and human care.