Simon VS Goliath

30/05/2026

Here’s another participant’s feedback on the Pastoral Care Course — this time from Aive:
👉 'I work in the family strengthening programme at the Estonian branch of the international organisation SOS Children’s Villages, where I come into contact with families in crisis. Through my daily work with these families, their crises, and their personal stories, I began to feel a need to grow further professionally and understand better how to support them. This was also the direct reason why I wanted to study pastoral care.

In every family, there may be some experience of crisis, grief, or trauma. Because the Tartu Academy of Theology Pastoral Care Course fits well with my schedule and focuses on the areas I need most, I felt it would give me tools I could use directly in my everyday work. Since I am also in a helping role myself, this course has been very useful.

We are currently halfway through the course and will finish in November. Even the first half has already been very meaningful and substantial. The lecturers are excellent, and the level of teaching is very high.

I feel that pastoral care is still often understood only as something connected with faith and the church, while broader awareness of the field remains quite limited. In reality, pastoral care also has a strong psychological foundation. I would like to help bring that knowledge and awareness more widely into society.'

29/05/2026

We are now halfway through this year’s Pastoral Caregivers Training Course, which began in March and will conclude in November. Some of the participants have shared their reflections with us. Here is Arabella’s:

👉'My interest in pastoral care began about three years ago, when I became curious about the work of a chaplain. I spoke with one of my lecturers, who helped me find an internship at Tartu Prison, where much of the chaplain’s work is connected with pastoral care.

Through that experience, I began learning more about listening, communication, and being present with people. I realized that listening to others and trying to understand them is something I genuinely enjoy and feel well suited for.

This year, I felt that the time was right to apply for the Tartu Academy of Theology Pastoral Care Course.

The course has been very interesting. I am learning a lot about myself and gaining practical tools for how to listen to people and support them well. I also really appreciate the variety of people taking part in the course. It has been meaningful to hear different stories, experiences, and perspectives.'

23/05/2026

With grateful hearts, we are rejoicing: the first stone is fully funded. Thanks be to God! 🪨

And the journey is already continuing — $9,868 has already been given toward the second stone! We are deeply thankful to everyone who has prayed, encouraged us, and given so faithfully.

Each stone represents $30,000 paid toward the Home of Hope. It is amazing to see that the second stone is already beginning to take shape. 🌿

It is a joy to see this memorial of God’s promises beginning to grow.

You can learn more and support the campaign here:
https://tatest.org/promises/

Together, we are bearing witness to God’s faithfulness.

22/05/2026

We are filled with joy and gratitude to share that we have reached the FIRST STONE of our Promises campaign! 🪨

The first stone is called The Promise of Guidance, inspired by Joshua 3:3:

“When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord… you are to move out from your positions and follow it.”

Israel’s path was not shaped by strategy, but by trust in the Lord. God does not always reveal the whole map. Often, He simply shows us the next faithful step.

Last week, Laura, our project manager, drove to Viljandi to bring this first stone to Home of Hope. Viljandi holds a special place in our story, with a family connection reaching back to my great-grandfather, who served as mayor there in the mid-20th century.

We invite you to watch the video and come along for this first step in the journey of the twelve stones.

To all of you who have prayed, encouraged us, and given so faithfully—THANK YOU! Because of your support, the first stone can now be placed. 🙏

We are already moving toward the second stone, and one third of that amount has already been given. Please continue to keep us and our ministry in your prayers. And if God places it on your heart, we warmly invite you to help us take the next step toward finishing the Home of Hope.

You can learn more here:
👉https://tatest.org/promises/

Together, we are bearing witness to God’s faithfulness for generations to come. ✨

08/05/2026

Since October 1, 2025, Tartu Academy of Theology has been a member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Estonia. This is because we have so many partner churches in the U.S.

TAT will be in the spotlight in May, and a video with Siimon was also recorded.

This month, we feature Tartu Academy of Theology, a non-profit organization founded in 1992.In this edition, CEO Siimon Haamer shares insights into the organ...

07/05/2026

On Tuesday, May 5, Pastoraat held its first Estonian Language Café! 🗣️ 🇪🇪

At TAT, we are always looking for new ways to connect with the community around us, welcome people into our ministries, share the Gospel, and support fellow believers.

Estonia is home to a large Russian-speaking community, and in recent years, many Ukrainians have also made Estonia their home. In addition, Estonia is becoming more multicultural as people from many different countries come here to study and work.

At the same time, the Estonian language is not easy to learn. For many people, it is very difficult to pick it up simply through everyday life. As a result, many struggle to speak the language and fully integrate into society. This can leave people feeling lonely, isolated, and left out.

We realized that this is an area where we can offer meaningful help. 🌿

So, on May 5 at 6 PM, we launched our pilot Estonian Language Café at Home of Hope. This is a series of five gatherings held on May 5, May 12, May 19, May 26, and June 2.

Each meeting has a specific topic to guide the conversations, and fluent Estonian-speaking helpers are present to support the participants.

Our volunteers are Christians, and the topics we have chosen also create natural opportunities for conversations about faith, Christianity, and the hope we have in Jesus.

If we see that people are interested in participating during this pilot phase, we hope to continue serving them through the Language Café format in the future.

Please pray for this new initiative! We believe many people could benefit greatly from it—not only by learning Estonian, but also by hearing about Jesus. ✨

30/04/2026

On Tuesday, April 28, Home of Hope hosted an End-of-the-World Café as part of Tartu Student Days. ☕

Despite the unusual name, the café is not really about the end of the world — it is a discussion evening where students and young adults with different worldviews come together to talk about life’s big questions in an open and thoughtful way.

These cafés are organized regularly by the Estonian Evangelical Students’ Union. This evening’s topic was: “Are people, in their basic nature, more bad or good?”

The format is simple but engaging: about five to seven panel participants share their thoughts as a moderator asks questions and guides the conversation. The panel itself included both Christians and non-Christians, roughly half and half, which made the conversation especially meaningful and honest. The evening was divided into three discussion blocks, and after each block, those in the audience had time to talk about the questions in small groups.

One of Home of Hope’s own team members was also one of the panel participants, sharing a Christian perspective as part of the moderated discussion.

Because the event was part of a wider student festival, many of the young people who came were not Christians. For some, it may have been their first time entering the Home of Hope building — and perhaps also their first time hearing Christian perspectives shared in an open and thoughtful conversation.

We are grateful for opportunities like this, where students can encounter meaningful questions, honest dialogue, and the Christian worldview in a welcoming space. ✨

25/04/2026

We are grateful to share that we are very close to reaching our first stone in the Promises campaign. Only $957 remains to complete the first stone, called Promises of Guidance.

This stone is inspired by Joshua 3:3:
“When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord... you are to move out from your positions and follow it.”

The name Promises of Guidance reflects a truth God showed His people again and again: Israel’s path was not shaped by strategy, but by trust in the Lord. God rarely reveals the whole map at once. Instead, He gives the next faithful step. This stone honors the God who faithfully guides those who stay close to Him.

Thank you for walking with us through your prayers, encouragement, and support. We are deeply grateful.

Please continue to pray for our ministry in Estonia. And if the Lord places it on your heart, we would be grateful for your help in reaching this first stone.

👉 More information: https://tatest.org/promises/

23/04/2026

2026 Young Adult Conference THE JUGGLER feedback:
👉 'This was my second time attending The Juggler Conference. It was a time and place where I could reflect on the rhythm of my life and think about what lies ahead. I had sincere and open conversations with both new people and those I already knew. I was reminded especially clearly of how meaningful and encouraging it is for young adults to share their life experiences with one another.

I also enjoyed the lovingly prepared coffee breaks, which felt especially refreshing after a long workweek. By the end of the conference, I found myself leaving among the last, simply because it was such a good place to be. I am grateful to God and to the people through whom this conference came to life.'

22/04/2026

2026 Young Adult Conference THE JUGGLER feedback:
👉 'My name is Robert Bunder, and I am a pastor in the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church. I have had the joy and privilege of speaking at The Juggler Conference since it first began, and I am very grateful for those opportunities. One of the special things about The Juggler is that it brings together Christians from different churches and unites us in a genuine shared faith in God.

I have also personally seen that The Juggler has been a deeply encouraging place for many people, giving them strength and confidence to live as Christians, whether in the life of the church or in their everyday lives. The conference has always been organized with a high level of professionalism, while at the same time maintaining a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. It has also done an excellent job of connecting biblical teaching with practical topics from everyday life. In my view, The Juggler is a deeply needed and valuable part of Estonia’s Christian landscape.'