CEE Story From The Mission Field
Emanuelis Kinas served time in Siberia's highest-level prisons before becoming pastor of Good News Baptist Church and director of Nikopolis drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Klaipeda, Lithuania.
A prisoner set free
July 21, 2008
by Natalie Kaspar
Countless tattoos cover the tall, solid build of this middle-aged Lithuanian man whose life changed during his 13 years in prison. Meet Emanuelis Kinas, pastor of Good News Baptist Church, and director of Nikopolis drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Klaipeda, Lithuania.
“I didn’t have a lot to lose, and I live in (abundance) now,” he said.
Emanuelis said he had been in and out of jail since the age of 18, meanwhile acquiring his skin artwork. The towers on the two middle knuckles of his left hand represent the number of years he spent in Siberia’s highest-level prisons. The stars on his knees signify a commitment to never bow to, but instead stand in opposition of, the government. His left thigh is canvas for a knife, his past weapon of choice.
Both his right shoulder and chest bear symbols of robbery—a cat and pirate ship, respectively. His arms also reveal two signs of freedom and two representations of Klaipeda, his hometown. Around his left wrist is a thick band of skulls he utilized for a card game called Death.
Although his body will always carry the markings of his past, Emanuelis said he has a new focus on what truly lasts.
“I used to think joy came from a car or house, but now I know that (it) is Christ,” he said. “I now have what is permanent.”
In 1992 Emanuelis went to jail for the last time in his life, after running from Russian authorities. While serving time in Siberia he heard the Gospel and accepted Christ through the ministry of churches in his prison and a “God-send” rehabilitation center run by American missionaries.
After finishing his term, Emanuelis said he sought God’s direction when neither Russia nor Lithuania desired his presence.
He traveled around Siberia, sharing the Gospel until in 1996 he returned to Lithuania, where he felt God leading him to start a drug and alcohol rehab center in Klaipeda. Emanuelis met up with IMB missionaries Milton and Lara Magalhaes and together they established Nikopolis, with the assistance of a German church.
Today Emanuelis and his wife, Ausra, direct this Bible-based center that points self-admitted Lithuanians to a substance-free life focused on Christ.
“We get them dry by keeping them from drugs and alcohol, and then feed them with the Word of God,” Milton said.
Emanuelis said he knows his is an amazing testimony of what God can do in a life, and he sees how his story helps people at Nikopolis and his church.
“(This) is now the purpose of my life,” Emanuelis said. “It’s a lot of joy … to see them receiving a second chance. It’s hard to describe. Joy is the closest thing I can come to.”
Emanuelis, Ausra, Milton and Lara are looking for volunteers to help with the ministry at Nikopolis and other outreaches in Lithuania. For more details contact Milton and Lara at milton@everyheart.net,+370-611-212-72 or on Skype (username “miltonandlara”).