Serving Others Through Grace

We continue to fulfill the verse…” according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” 1 Peter 4:10

The Camp

God has blessed us through the fact that one of the missionaries from the Speranța Drăgănești-Olt Church gave us the opportunity to serve alongside him at the Catalyst youth camp. The theme of the camp was building identity in Christ. In this camp, Brother Octavian entrusted two responsibilities to me and one responsibility to Cornelia. My wife’s responsibility was to help in the kitchen with cooking. My responsibility was to supply the groceries for cooking with the car and to assist the youth team with games and Bible study time. I should mention that all 30 or so young people were divided into four teams.

I was encouraged to see that the youth, even if a few are coming to Speranța Church, have good questions about spiritual life and God. I had meetings with some of the young people from the group and we were able to talk about how our Lord Jesus died to reconcile us with God the Father.

Many times I wondered if they understood what I explained to them, either in the group or personally. At the end of the camp, one activity was for each person to have a sheet of paper taped to their back, and others who wished could write a few thoughts about the person wearing the sheet. One of the messages written on my sheet is, ”Thank you for leading me to know Jesus. I hope you will convince everyone you share with about the word of God.” This message is anonymous. One of the messages written on Cornelia’s sheet is, ”Thank you for your love, your service, the food was exceptional.”

Pray that these young people who were served will become Christians who bring the light of Christ to this part of southern Romania.

Tia Mare

“Even if our ministry has undergone a change and we are involved in coordinating the assistance of missionaries in the Olt and Dolj counties, we continue our pastoral visits to the Nițu family from Tia Mare. Our encouragement came when Emanuel and Mirela, who are Brother Florea’s nephews, expressed their desire for their youngest baby boy Samuel, who is 3 months old, to be blessed in the Hope Church in Drăgănești-Olt. We spoke with the pastor and organized this special prayer during the church meeting on the first Sunday of July.

Pray that they will accept the Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior.”

Transition

As a family, we are still in the process of transitioning from church planting in Corabia to regional ministry and focused involvement with Hope Church Craiova. We are still experiencing various feelings of confusion and regret about leaving the city of Corabia, and we have already moved many of our belongings to the new residence. Pray that the Lord will help us make this step with joy. Also, pray for our son Tiby, who will move to Cluj Napoca in October to study nursing.

We believe this transition will be completed in September because I have spoken with Brother Pastor Raul Costea and I will also take the coordination of small groups at Hope Church Craiova. This will help me be even more focused on Craiova. Pray that this work will be beneficial and guided by the Holy Spirit.