On February 27, God called Pastor Eenok Haamer, the founder of the Tartu Academy of Theology, into eternity. His funeral will take place at noon (Estonian time) on March 8 in Mustvee, at the church where he faithfully served as a pastor for 61 years. He will be laid to rest in the Mustvee cemetery. We are happy that some good friends from US are also coming to participate the funerals. The funeral is expected to be very large, with hundreds of attendees and maybe even around 1,000 people.
There won’t be a livestream of the funeral, but we will record the entire service and make it available online later.
Condolences can be submitted in the electronic Book of Remembrance at this link. Later, a memorial book will be compiled from these messages.
We praise God for Eenok’s life and are deeply grateful for the way he passed from this world—surrounded by family and friends, with prayers and hymns sung beside his bed. We pray for Eenok’s eternal peace in the Lord’s presence.
Pastor Eenok Haamer’s family has asked all those attending the funeral to refrain from bringing flowers and wreaths and instead make a donation in his memory to Home of Hope. We are grateful for the overwhelming response from the Estonian people.
If you would also like to honor pastor Eenok Haamer’s legacy, you can make a memorial gift to support the establishment of the Home of Hope Christian Outreach Center. This center is the fruit of Eenok’s prayers and continues his mission, ensuring that his legacy lives on for generations to come.
Ways to make a memorial gift:
By check (Tax-deductible)
Payable to: Charity Lutheran Church
120 Aspen Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58503, U.S.A.
Please designate IN MEMORY OF EENOK HAAMER in the memo portion.
Online
Go to charitylutheran.org/givenow.
Select the Tartu Academy of Theology fund and then choose HOME OF HOPE sub-fund for your donation.
Obituary
PASTOR EENOK HAAMER
May 17, 1935 – February 27, 2025
God called founder of Tartu Academy of Theolgoy and Estonia’s oldest Lutheran pastor, Eenok Haamer, into eternity. Despite his advanced age, he never retired, serving as a pastor for over 61 years. Throughout these decades, he ministered to the Mustvee Lutheran congregation while also serving in Lohusuu, Maarja-Magdaleena, and other congregations. Eenok followed in his father’s footsteps, and his three sons continue his ministry.
Eenok Haamer was born on May 17, 1935, as the eldest child of the highly respected and well-known Estonian Lutheran pastor Harri Haamer and his wife Maimu. His younger sister Maarja and brother Andres have already passed away, making him the last member of his generation.
After escaping the March 1949 Soviet deportations to Gulag, Eenok had to hide as a forest brother in Southern Estonia for over six years, spending most of that time living in underground bunker. These difficult experiences shaped him into a steadfast preacher of God’s word and a dedicated advocate for the survival of the Estonian people.
In 1960, Eenok Haamer began his theological studies, and by the autumn of 1963, he started serving as a pastor in the Mustvee Lutheran congregation.
In 1964, Eenok married Eha, and from that moment on, they worked together in church ministry. Eha served as an organist, choir director, secretary, and faithful assistant in every aspect of their work.
During the period of Estonia’s re-independence (late 1980s and early 1990s), Eenok Haamer was very active in public life. He was part of the leadership of the Estonian Heritage Society (1987–1989), one of the key figures in reviving scouting in Estonia, a board member of the Estonian Educational Council (1989–1991), a representative in the Jõgeva County Council (1989–1992), and a member of the Mustvee City Council (1993–1999). From 1991 to 1992, he served as an advisor to the President of Estonia on matters of religion, education, and youth affairs. In the early 1990s, he contributed to the re-establishment of the Estonian Border Guard, teaching religious education and ethics to border guards. Additionally, he guided young people as a teacher of religion and ethics at Mustvee Highschool (1988–2010).
Before Estonia regained independence in 1991, Eenok took a great risk in the spring of 1989 by launching a course for religious education teachers in the spring of 1989. At that time, such an endeavor could have resulted in imprisonment, as religious education was still prohibited under Soviet occupation. This initiative later grew into the Tartu Academy of Theology, which was formally established in the fall of 1992. Founding and leading this institution as its rector for several decades can be considered Eenok’s life’s work. The Christian center Home of Hope, built upon this foundation, continues the mission he started and carries forward his legacy.
From 2003 until his passing, Eenok Haamer also served as the leader of the Estonian Moravian Church.
Throughout his life, Eenok Haamer was awarded numerous religious and state honors for his service.
Eenok Haamer is mourned by his wife, four children and their families, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11
