Lithuania gained independence in 1991 after 50 years of occupation by the former Soviet Union. In November 1994, two members of the the General Board of Global Ministries staff, David Wu and S. T. Kimbrough, accompanied by the Rev. Arthur Leifert - a Lithuanian-born German pastor - went on a fact finding mission for traces of Methodism in Lithuania. They visited eight cities, located three former Methodist parsonages, and found two Methodist church buildings (in Kaunas and Pilviskiai). The team met three surviving Methodists; one of whom said her only link to her past was the Lithuanian Methodist hymnbook published in 1923.
Based on the mission team's findings and a consultation between Global Ministries and Bishop Vaxby of the Northern Europe Central Conference, it was decided to launch an initiative to renew Methodism in Lithuania. The first Methodist service was held on August 30, 1995, in Kaunas. Over fifty years, Methodists in Lithuania had been denied their places of worship and existence as a religious body. A new day began. Eleven congregations have now been started: Kaunas Sanciai (1995), Siauliai (1996), Taurage (1996), Pilviskiai (1996), Birzai (1997), Kybartai (1998), Kaunas Eiguliai (1999), Vilnius (2000), Kazla Ruda (2000), Panavezys (2001) and Ukmerge (2006).
The church building in Kaunas was renovated and a new church building has been built in Pilviskiai. In 2007 a sanctuary addition was completed at the Siauliai Church (now St. Luke’s UMC) and in 2008 a renovated facility for Birzai Church was completed which includes a sanctuary, fellowship and office space, and housing for a nurses training program. Plans are being developed for the construction of first facilities in Taurage and Kybartai.
The reestablishment of the Lithuania United Methodist Church is a mission initiative of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Financial support comes from partner churches and individuals in the USA, Germany, Sweden, and Norway as well as two Norwegian Foundations (Betaniens).
Most of the congregations remain small but all of them have developed outreach and humanitarian programs including day centers, feeding programs, wash programs (for people and clothes), home visiting programs, work with prisons and orphanages, and clothing program.
The first pastors after reestablishment of the church came as missionaries from the United States and Sweden. Today there are 6 Lithuanian pastors (5 ordained Elders and 1 Probationary Pastor) and only 2 missionary pastors remain. There are two Lithuanians attending seminary, one on track for Elder’s orders and the other for ordination as Deacon.
