Eastern European Baptist History: New Perspectives, 2007

ly they were either organised in secret or with an unofficial ‘silent agreement’ with local officials.’* In some cases organisers were fined, interviewed by the KGB or harassed in other ways. In other cases, however, the authorities preferred not to take severe measures. Heigo Ritsbek has pointed out that this ambiguity in the authorities’ approach confused several Soviet church life experts.*° Nevertheless, state officials were interested in obtaining infor- mation about this form of activity. Symbols like the camp flag and necker- chiefs were under special observation.” The authorities were nervous that these symbols might refer to Estonian pre-war independence. For youth, these camps were primarily events for Bible study, prayer, singing around the campfire and building new friendships - all of which strengthened Christian commitment. Still today, the youth camp tradition remains a part of Estonian Evangelical Christian-Baptist life. Second, Youth Bible Days were initiated. With a growing number of youth in churches there emerged a need for an event bringing together all the active youth at least once a year. The so-called Noorte Piiblipdevad [Youth Bible Days], usually taking place in Tallinn at the end of April or the beginning of May, began to fulfil this role. International Workers’ Day, a state holiday, was 1 May, allowing young people to travel to Tallinn and stay there two or three days. It is paradoxical that while the government made efforts to fill Christian holidays and traditions with atheistic meanings, the youth used socialist holidays to organise Christian events. The first of these Bible Days took place in 1979.* In 1980, there were 411 participants at this youth meeting. The Senior Presbyter often took part in the event, giving it more “weight” and maintaining contact with the active youth from local churches. In 1983 the Senior Presbyter gave a Bible Day paper dealing with the role of family and home in evangelistic work.” In 1984 the motto (Tartu: Korgem Usuteaduslik Seminar ja S6nasepp Oii, 2005), p. 60. ® Jyrki Raitila, History of Evangelicalism and the Present Spiritual Situation in Estonia (MA Thesis, Providence Theological Seminary [USA], 1996), p. 45. * Heigo Ritsbek, The Mission of Methodism in Estonia (DMin Thesis, Boston University [USA], 1996), p. 96. *” Milone Ugam, “Laste- ja noortet66” [Youth and Children’s Work], in Oleviste 50, p. 14. 88 Minutes of the presbyters’ council meeting, no. 57 (23 May 1979). PNProt1969-1985, Archive of the UECBE. *° Minutes of the presbyters’ council meeting, no. 68 (13 May 1980). PNProt1969-1985, Archive of the UECBE. * Minutes of the presbyters’ council meeting, no. 96 (16 May 1983). PNProt1969-1985, Archive of the UECBE. 161 for Bible Days was “Life in the Power of Faith’?! Usually the programme included both classical and contemporary music, Bible studies and pres- entations, prayer time and sometimes an evening with a poet