where a three-storey building purchased in October 2023 is being renovated into a community centre through collaboration between local Seventh-day Adventist Church members and international partners.

“This is a major breakthrough in the history of our Conference,” said Lubova Tihomirova, director of the project. “It has been a long journey, but we truly believe the Lord has led us to this point.”

Leaders say the new Riga Community Centre is intended to serve as a hub for programmes that support people across age groups and needs. The initiative also builds on nearly three decades of ministry in the region, which began 28 years ago with a summer camp project designed to engage young people through outdoor activities and spiritual programming.

“The community centre is a continuation of the spiritual work that began with the summer camps,” Tihomirova explained. “We aim to create a space where people of all ages can experience growth—physically, spiritually and emotionally.”

Several major donations have supported the project, including contributions from the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the Baltic Union Conference, and the Sixth Riga Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Renovation work began in the summer of 2025. While structurally sound, the building had not been repaired since its construction, requiring substantial investment to bring it up to modern standards. In a major boost to the project, ADRA, the Adventist Church's humanitarian arm, facilitated a partnership with TX Foundation, a sponsor based in Taiwan. This collaboration enabled renovation work to begin on the ground floor.

The partnership was marked by a groundbreaking ceremony in July 2025, during which representatives from TX Foundation were hosted for a special celebration. The day included a family fun event with inflatables and activities for children, guided tours of the facility, and time for fellowship between guests and local members.

“Hosting the representatives from TX Foundation was a moment of celebration and hope,” said Tihomirova.

The project received further support in autumn 2025 through the Global Mission Impact Fund, coordinated by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. This funding will support the centre’s continued development and the planning of future programs.

Currently, the center’s team is working on legal registration, designing interest-based clubs, preparing ministry programmes, and continuing renovations across all three floors. The anticipated opening ceremony is scheduled for October 2026, once construction work is complete.

“Our vision is to create a welcoming place where children, youth, and adults alike can come, learn, grow, and experience God’s love in a practical way,” said Tihomirova. “God has led us this far, and we trust He will finish what He started.”

The original article was published on the Trans-European Division news site.