Bernie and Mary began their ministry with GEM in 1992 in Riga, Latvia. They helped establish GEM's ministry in this country shortly after they emerged from under the control of the Soviet Union. During their three years in Latvia they worked with the churches of the Baptist Union to plant three new churches.In the early months of their time in Riga they were challenged to believe God to fill Latvia with churches. Practically this meant increasing the number of Protestant churches from around 700 to closer to 1500. This became a God-sized vision that has never left us!Filling the nations with churches, saturation church planting or church planting movements all refer to the need to facilitate movements of multiplying disciples in pursuit of fulfilling the Great Commission in any land. This focus has captured us for the past 25 years!!The summer of 1996 began our ministry journey with GEM more broadly through promoting and equipping individuals and churches to join GEM in multiplying disciples. This has involved regular travel to various European locations and around the U.S. to cast vision, train and equip, and demonstrate outreach practices to accelerate the advancement of God's Kingdom in Europe.