Installation in Oshawa

OSHAWA, Ont. – On Sunday, July 6, the Lord of the Church gave a new under-shepherd to Grace Lutheran Church as circuit counsellor Rev. Vishal Paul installed Rev. Guntars Baikovs. 

Rev. Baikovs grew up in Latvia, in the former Soviet Union. The Lord had to put in repeated effort to bring into His flock this unlikely convert. After seminary studies, ordination in 2007 on St. Stephen’s Day, and a period of ministry to the saints in Latvia, this new pastor was sent to be continually shaped by studying in the Masters of Sacred Theology and PhD programs at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Thus, the Baikovs’ family of six found their new home for four years on the seminary campus.

When this stage of preparation was complete, our full-of-surprises Lord chose to send Rev. Baikovs to the homeland of Australian Lutheranism, Barossa Valley, to share what was so abundantly received during his time of studies. Nine years, many sermons, Bible studies, Christian conversations, theological conferences, and articles and books later, Rev. Baikovs accepted the call to serve the Underdale-Glandore congregation in Adelaide. The battle for the future of confessional Lutheranism in Australia was heating up, and the Lord of the Church was doing a new thing through the emergence of new confessional Lutheran body, Lutheran Mission-Australia. 

But then, in March 2025, in His characteristically surprising way, the Lord of the Church called Rev. Baikovs to serve in Canada. Leaving their children in Australia, Rev. Baikovs and Jana moved continents once again, trusting that the Lord of the Church knows what He is doing and why. Welcomed in Christian love by the members of Grace and fellow brothers in the ministry, Rev. Baikovs and Jana are looking forward to seeing how the Lord will use them to bless and be blessed by the saints in Canada.

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