Stories from Ministry

This month, however, we are working is Hope Church Romania, a ministry that has an epicenter in Olt county  (southern Romania). Our ministry schedule starts at 9a with an hour of worship and intercessory prayer, followed by a 90-minute period of logistics, and then from 1-6p, we are paired with a missionary from Hope Church in whatever ministry work that we can amplify. Some days we help pick up trash and clean the church. Some days we go on house visits and deliver seed packets for home gardens. Some days, some people do one ministry and the others do a different ministry. But, it is all ministry. 

 

But, one part of ministry that I have chronically overlooked for a large part of the Race is the ministry work that happens at home at this same time. I apologize for not consistently sharing with you what the Lord is doing here, because I believe that as my life is changing and Kingdom is being impacted on the mission field, Kingdom is also being impacted in your heart at home. So, I want to share some stories with you from ministry so far this month:

 

We had a larger block of time before afternoon ministry, so several people decided to go to the local mall. On the way to the mall, we passed by several small cafes and a few bakeries on the way, but one, in particular, caught my eye (Brooklyn Doughnut). It may have been because it reminded me of (my New York) home or because I love a good doughnut. Either way, I made a mental note to stop in on the way back home. As we were walking home, I insisted we stop in, say hi, grab some doughnuts, and enjoy them at home. We went inside, looked at the selection, and couldn’t decide on which two we wanted to share. I picked out our two, and as Yonela, the shop owner was packed the box she stuck in a lemon meringue doughnut in the box as well, free of charge! I was caught off-guard by her generosity and ended up thinking about her the rest of the day.

 

 

During afternoon ministry we walked around with one of the Craiova-based missionaries to search for ministry opportunities, painting murals at schools or daycare centers with Biblical messages, free of charge. We walked to a center but it was closed for the weekend by the time we got there (March 1 is Mother’s Day in Romania). So we made our way back through downtown slowly, and being treated to traditional Romanian pastries. Since we had extra time, I asked if we could stop by Yoneda’s shop and talk with her, but she had sold all her doughnuts and was having a conversation with someone when we arrived, so we sat in a park instead and prayed over some of the middle and high school students that were there.

 

 

After we had individually prayed, Gisele asked if she could go up and talk to one of them and got permission to do so. She talked with Alberto, a skateboarder, about how long he had been skateboarding and his schooling. During the conversation, Gisele was emboldened to ask to learn how to skateboard, with help and to also share a bit of her testimony with Alberto. She learned how to balance while moving after about ten minutes, and could even ride slowly by herself after the lesson. And, Alberto had a small audience to show his favorite trick. At the end of the conversation, Gisele told Alberto that if he is ever in trouble or needs something better than the party-life that he is living that he can just call on the Name of Jesus and He will be there.

 

 

Point of the Story: Being intentional within relationships, especially new relationships, is a great way to show the love of Jesus through your actions and to share your experience with the Gospel. If they are not interested in learning about or personally knowing Jesus, that’s fine because you were obedient and God is still going to pursue that person. If they are interested, you get to tell them about Jesus and potentially invite them into our Heavenly Family!

 

Yesterday, I really didn’t want to participate in ministry, but because of planning, I had to. We went to a small town about 30 minutes away to evangelize & give out New Testament Bibles in the morning, and to help with a women’s event in the afternoon. After several different experiences with evangelism, both great and terrible, I’ve learned that I don’t like starting a conversation about all the great things about what life with Jesus is like because they may not be able to relate and I do not know the person yet. I personally find it best when you take the time to get to know someone a little bit first (talk about how they are doing, are they busy, their family dynamics; anything personally, but not intrusive). In the morning, we walked around in large-fish groups (about 10 people), so two people spoke with the person while the others interceded on the presenters, the receiver(s), and the conversation’s behalves. I did not get to speak in the morning, but that’s fine. In the afternoon, I was given a chance to ask question if I wanted to near the end of conversations, which I did twice. When I evangelize, I like to build upon the knowledge that they already have (the teacher in me, I guess). So I sit and listen, and speak only when I have something to add to the conversation if it will actually help them come to know Jesus better & personally or encourage them in the personal walk with Jesus.

 

 

Point of the Story: Evangelism is not ONLY about sharing the Gospel in hopes that people come to Christ, but to share Jesus in a way that is compelling and allows the Holy Spirit to work inside you and the person that you are talking to in that conversation AND after you leave.

 

You have gifts that the body of Christ needs, but you have also been called to serve the Kingdom even if you haven’t been gifted specific gifts. Be willing to be obedient and used in whatever way the Lord needs you.

 

Angie Moore

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