Danut Opris Archives – Together in Mission | Spreading the gospel locally, globally and virtually

The Lord Jesus is the Light of the world!

Together for Mission — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 11:50:55 +0000

Together with a brother in Christ, we went out to discuss with people we met on the streets, at their gates or in their courtyards. We also distributed New Testaments to some of them. I chatted with a man my age who shared with us what he believed and then asked us questions. He believed, like many people in our country, that it is important that a person does not take his last breath without having light on his head. But we were able to show him the verse from John 12:8 and introduced the Lord Jesus as the Light of the world and that what we truly need is Him.

A discussion with a young family.

I had the opportunity to enter into a discussion with a young family while doing evangelism in a different town. At one point, the husband, hearing about heaven and hell, said that we have no way of knowing what is beyond this life. I told them that if we don’t read the Bible, we have no way to know. I took out a New Testament, I gave it to them. When my colleague continued and told them about God’s love, the wife wanted to know specifically where this was written and what the Bible said. I showed her how to find the verse from John 3:16 and she read this verse and the next one and showed interest in hearing the Gospel. At the end of the discussion, I also gave them the address of their local church.

A testimony outside at a bar.

Outside a bar, there were about 5 people drinking wine and talking. I went to them to give them a calendar and one of them told me to drink a glass with them too. I didn’t drink but this was an opportunity to tell them how the Lord Jesus changed my life, he helped me many years ago to escape from the bonds of drunkenness and other sins. These people were not drunk, therefore they listened to me carefully. One of them said to the others: “Listen to what this man says, it is very important what he is saying.” I also shared the Gospel briefly with them and without challenging them to an answer, one or two of them recognized their sinful way of life, that they weren’t what they who they were supposed to be.

A joy long-awaited each year!

We, Hope Church Drăgăneşti-Olt, were very happy to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this December by singing carols and listening to messages about the Baby Jesus born in the manger of Bethlehem.

I wish you God’s blessing and protection!

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A home for the homeless

Together for Mission — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 07:49:03 +0000

Summer Newsletter 2022

A discussion with a young man

There is a young man who sometimes attends our church services meetings of our church and I talked to him about his spiritual state. He is not saved and he shared that he cannot overcome certain sins in his life. I tried to tell him as clearly as possible that only through the Lord Jesus Christ can he be free. I gave him the example of my personal testimony, how I was once enslaved by alcohol and other things, but Jesus freed me from the enslavement of sin. I also talked to him about repentance. I constantly remain in prayer for him.

Home visits to families in need

This summer I visited a couple poor families in our community, bringing them some food as well. In one of these families I met a blind boy. He was very sweet, and he was curious about who we were, asking us questions. In the other family there was another boy, slightly older. I left him a children’s book filled with pictures and bible verses.

Weekly Bible study visits

There is a middle-aged man who attends our church meetings and has a lot of questions. Our brother and fellow missionary Marian Stoica was the first to connect with him, but I was asked to start visiting him in the months of July and August while Marian was gone in Germany. This man started reading the Bible a few months ago, and I encouraged him to write down any questions he has. When we meet together, I do my best to answer his questions. I, along with a small group of people from our church, go to his home every week and together we read a chapter from the Gospel of Mark and then explain. He welcomes us into his home with joy. He said that since he began talking and visiting with us, he feels that God is enlightening him and he is beginning to understand!

A home for the homeless

Our church, Hope Church Draganesti-Olt, owns a social house where an elderly and sick sister of the church, the woman who cares for her, another sister and a mother with two little girls and one teenager are given a home. This mother was abandoned by her husband and she is very thankful to have a place to live. She works hard for the needs of her family. Pray for the salvation of this family!

All seven people who live in this house benefit from having not only a roof over their heads but also utilities, especially in the winter months. Please pray that we as a church would be able to cover the cost of the water, gas and electricity bills for this social house, especially now that these utilities have become very expensive.

Lord bless you bless and strengthen you.

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A little help for Ukrainian refugees

Together for Mission — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 07:32:45 +0000

March, 2022.

In March we mobilized a group from the Hope Church together with some visiting youth from another country to make packages with devotionals (calendar books with evangelistic messages) and seed packets to put in the ground. Many families and individuals with gardens in the community received these packages. While delivering them, I was also able to speak to those whom I met on the doorstep or at the gates of their houses. Many times I would share a short message with them, such as “God loves you and wants to reconcile His relationship with you.”

April

In April my wife and I visited and helped some Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Craiova. Some had health problems or were elderly. We bought them some medications and my wife gave them massages. One of the people we met was an 89-year-old woman named Liuba. She enjoyed the visit a lot and at the end of our time with her, we sang the song: Salvation was given to us / without any payment / Through Jesus crucified / without any payment. A sister in Christ from Ukraine who accompanied us and translated for us was able to share the message of the song with Mrs. Liuba.

May

At the beginning of May, Pastor George Serban and I were called to help in an evangelistic event for two days in the town of Urziceni, Ialomita County. After youth would finish school, the parks in town would be full of middle school and high school students. We had the opportunity to talk to two youth girls, and one of them understood that the wages of sin is death, telling us “It means we have no escape from hell!” Following this, we shared with them how they can be forgiven through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus and this is the only escape. We also spoke with a young adolescent with whom we were able to share the Gospel using an evangelistic cube which shows clear images representing the key principles of the Gospel.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and to pray for me to preach the Gospel here in Draganesti-Olt and make disciples. May the Lord bless you and give you His peace.

Opris Daniel, Pastor-Missionary

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Evangelistic and pastoral activities

Together for Mission — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 15:56:55 +0000

December here is known as the month of gifts. During this month, together with other brothers and sisters in Christ, we helped poor people and families in town, by offering them gifts of food and clothing. Besides these basic material needs, they also received children’s books or New Testaments. We shared the Gospel and we prayed for them.

We also had the opportunity to go caroling to several families. One of those families then came to the church program the next day! One of our neighbors was also very happy that we came to her and caroled. She told us that from the time she moved into the apartment 44 years ago no one has come caroling to her.

In recent months I have presented the evangelistic cube to at least 50 people, including many youth. This cube unfolds and contains images representing the Gospel, such as a man separated from God or the cross of Christ or the empty tomb. I used this tool to enter into spiritual conversations, asking for them example if they have any sins. I did my best to share the Gospel through these discussions.

I met with a young man that I already know who mentioned that he would like to come to the church, and we saw him there one Sunday evening. I talked to him and he shared that he can’t quit smoking. On parting I told him to pray to God to help him.

I talked to a man who worked at a local betting center. I have observed that many young people are attracted to these types of centers and they often gather outside for smoke breaks. As I presented the Gospel to this man, he told me that it is the circumstances of life that push him into sin. Before parting, I shared what the Bible says about sin and how it can be forgiven.

I spoke with a young man who regularly attends our church meetings. We talked about repentance and he acknowledged that sin dominates him. I urged him to take his sin and his life and come to the Lord Jesus who can forgive and set him free.

Together with Pastor George Serban, we are leading Friday evening discipleship meetings. This group is attended by our brothers and sisters in Christ, members of the Hope Church. In recent months we have continued to study the Sermon on the Mount as well as praying for each other.

Please pray for those who attend our weekly church services but still need salvation: Cornel, Iulica, Vali (a young woman who is also ill), Mrs. Micu, Mr. Zidaru, Mrs. Marinela, as well as the children from families of believers.

Thank you for your prayer and support!

Daniel Opris
Assistant Pastor and Missionary
Hope Church Draganesti-Olt

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Recent Ministry Activities

Together for Mission — Sat, 02 Oct 2021 10:54:00 +0000

August

I served together with other missionaries in a youth camp.

Alongside the youth from Hope Church, some teenagers and young people from the town and surrounding areas also participated in the camp. These youth are those who need salvation. Every evening, there was a program of worship through songs, testimonies and preaching of the Word.

I preached in the first evening about Daniel and about the Lord Jesus Christ. I observed that the youth were attentive. All of the camp participants were divided into groups. In the morning, we studied what was preached the previous night. We wanted to challenge them to look at their lives, as well as we wanted them to think about the Gospel and God’s Word. I pray that the Holy Spirit would work in the lives of these youth and young adults from Draganesti and the surrounding areas.

I also had outings on the town streets, and I discussed with groups of people who were gathered outside the gates of their houses. A man showed interest in reading the New Testament and a woman asked us for a Bible.

September

On September 19,a baptism service took place in the Hope Church Draganesti-Olt.E young girls were baptized(Naomi,Lidia and Andreia).Andreia comes from a family whose mother was opposed and tried to convince her to break away from our Church.The day before the baptism,her mother tried to persuade her not to be baptized by telling her that their family would be spoken ill of by their neighbors.

But Andreia remained determined to be baptized and she want to follow Jesus. Andreia got in touch with the Hope Church translating for a team from USA who evangelized in our town.

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Baptism in Hope Church Draganesti-Olt

Together for Mission — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 07:53:44 +0000

On the date of June 27th, a baptism took place inside Hope Church’s church building.

With the help of the Lord, I baptized a brother of 60 years named Marin, who is also the husband of a sister within our church. He started to search for the Lord on the basis of a disease that the doctors found. He didn’t miss the church meetings and one day, he told his wife that he would like to follow the Lord.

I baptized him alongside a youth of 17 years, who’s name is Stefan. Stefan does not come from a family of believers and he testified that the Lord Jesus is his Savior and King. Stefan started to search for God when Vera Palcau was doing evangelistic ministry amongst the children in the area called “Stadium.”

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Conversation with some people in the park

Together for Mission — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 08:21:30 +0000

Together with a missionary brother from HeartCry (Emanuel from Brasov), we started a conversation with an elderly man. He was very moved by what we told him. When we explained to him that we are seperated from God, due to sin, and that the Lord Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross, we saw that he was starting to cry. Brother Emanuel also spoke and at the end, when he prayed for this man that God would illuminate him so that he could understand the Gospel, I saw once again that tears started to flow. I believe that this man was moved by God and when we left him, he said something like, “This was the best thing that I was a part of today.”

Again with Brother Emanuel, we entered into a discussion with 3 youth that were in high school. When they heard that it was talk about God, one of them left to go to the bus stop, which was a little walk before us. The other literally turned his back to us. To the third one, Brother Emanuel asked: “Why did Jesus die?” That same boy responded: “For our sins.” I then asked him, “What do you do with your sins? Do you taken them with you or do you want to get rid of them?” But right at that moment, the bus came and the young man rushed, so that he could get in, resulting in us not receiving any response.

To another man, I gave an evangelistic brochure. I thought ahead of time to not give just brochures to the people that I would meet, but to say something. If that person would listen, then I would say more. This man received the brochure and I told him that God loves him, but that he needs to make amends with God. I saw that he wanted to listen and I then explained how sin puts us in an enemy state with God. I also explained that being at peace with Him, comes through faith in what Jesus did. God gave me the words to explain the Gospel to him and he listened. At the departure, he told me that he would read the brochure.

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Evangelistic and ministry activities

Together for Mission — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 07:15:47 +0000

This month I visited some of my acquaintances at their homes or in the parks, and I tried to take the Gospel to them. With some, it was the first time that I spoke with them. For example, I spoke with my neighbor whom I see daily sitting on the bench in the park with other people and for many hours, stays to drink and smoke. There were other people that heard what I said, others who probably stood up and left, when they heard that it was talk about God and repentance. But this boy (my neighbor) had questions and some of them were due to unthankfulness before God. For example, he said that why doesn’t God. if He is so mighty, force people to do what He wants, allowing things to turn out well for people. I think that God gave me this response – he, through the fact that he drinks and smokes destroys his life, but God does not forcefully change him. Indirectly, I wanted to tell him that sin also destroys him.

I shared my testimony of turning to the Lord in front of 2 people that said that they can no longer be changed, because of their age. They weren’t that old, but this was their argument. Through my testimony, I wanted to share with them that what is impossible for man, is possible for God. Also, through my testimony, I told them about the problem of sin and the slavery that it brings to a person and how in the Lord Jesus ,there is forgiveness and change. I was with a Brother, and these 2 people told us that we continue to visit them.

I asked a man with whom I speak periodically what is holding him back from repentance. He remembered some problems that he had, however I was not able to continue the discussion as something intervened and he had to leave. My colleague with whom I was with continued the discussion and continues to maintain a relationship with this man.

The mother of a Brother, a member in the church from here, died at the age of 95 years old. She was also a member at Hope Church. The other two pastors had Biblical messages at her wake and funeral. I spoke at the cemetery about the futility of life lived only for this world and that Jesus is the Resurrection and Life. The news of the Gospel was preached and heard by neighbors, relatives and acquaintances from the town, the majority of the people unsaved.

Together with Brothers Marian Stoica and Gheorghe Ileana, we gave out Christian calendars, protective masks against COVID and seeds to the people of Draganesti – Olt. The majority of the people received these, I believe, with joy, one of them thanking us that we thought of them and asked for packages for their acquaintances. With a few of them, we spoke about salvation through the Lord Jesus.

On March 14th, 2004, 17 years ago we had our first baptism at our church, Hope Church. I will attach a picture taken with 7 of these people, in which Brother and Pastor George Serban appears.

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Distributing calendars with Bible verses and talking with the people about Jesus

Together for Mission — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 10:39:43 +0000

While I was handing out calendars with Bible verses, as well as protective masks against COVID, I was able to talk to a man who told me that he needs to return to God and turn away from his sinful life. I also invited 3 people to church and 2 of them responded to the invitation. At the end of the church program, I talked with these two people about repentance.

Another time when I distributed calendars, I met a man who at the beginning of me sharing with him, started to make fun of me, and especially of Jesus, and faith in Jesus Christ. As the conversation progressed, he became a little more open, and I told him about God’s plan of salvation and how the Lord Jesus changed me. Even though he didn’t know my life, except for what I told him, I still wanted that man to see the effect of the work of God.

In the month of January, I spoke with a friend who periodically reads from the Bible. He recognized that something was blocking him from following the Lord Jesus, but didn’t know exactly what it was. I told him to pray that God would discover it, and if he wants, God could illuminate the problem.

With the help of the Lord, we have resumed the prayer meetings and Bible Study from the book of Romans, in our discipleship group on Friday nights. It was an interactive study, and the majority of the people in the group participated in discussions and we responded to the questions asked.

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Alcohol addiction and answers to prayers

Together for Mission — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 09:30:28 +0000

In an evangelistic action in the town,I met a young man who is addicted to alcohol.I talked to him and he admitted that he can’t live without cigarettes and drink.I also told him personal testimony,that I was like him many years ago,but Jesus delivered me from this bondage.I also gave him a Christian newspaper and he said he would read it when he got home.

My wife and I prayed before the church meeting at Sunday night that God may bring people who have never been or who have not been to our church for a long time.And we were glad to see that three people came that we did not know,two women and a young man.Another answer to prayer was about my mother.She had been in great pain for about two weeks.She went to the doctor and found that she had kidney stones or urinary tract stones.My mother called us and my wife,who was a nurse,told her to take a medicine that my mother had not heard of.All this time we prayed for my mother.She took that medicine for two days,after which my mother gave us a happy phone call and told us that she had removed the stone(almost 2 cm)that she was feeling well and no longer in pain.

The Hope Church Draganesti-Olt meets in four discipleship groups,on Friday evening and one of them is the one that,with the help of God,I lead.Church.Visitors from the town also participate in this group.We study the book of Romans,chapter by chapter,we pray and praise the lord.I am glad to see the participans understand the profound truths of this epistle in which the apostle Paul presents his gospel.

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