Yanis Smits

His personal story has aroused global interest in the Christian community in his struggle for basic human rights and social justice.

Ruth's father was a pastor and she met Yanis when he attended Bible studies in her parents' home.

Threatened with imprisonment or worse, the family emigrated to Canada in 1977 where Yanis was involved in outreach to Latvians through pastoral ministry and radio.

In the early 2000s he was elected Bishop by the Latvian Baptist Union, whom he served for 2 terms.

He continued his ministry after retiring to Canada, serving as an elder and preacher of the Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church in Niagara Falls until the Lord called him home.