The end of last month in Moldova, our team was informed that we would be doing an Unsung Heroes month in Romania. Essentially that meant we were tasked with searching for, seeking out and meeting with potential contacts for future World Race teams to partner with. Instead of being partnered with one ministry for the entire month like usual, we would be traveling around Romania looking for ‘unsung heroes’, men and women following God’s call for their life by living out the great commission and receiving little to nothing in return.
Our first couple of days in Brasov, Romania during our squad debrief, we were introduced to C3 Church. While we were enjoying our off days in Brasov, little did we know that the Lord was setting up a series of events and encounters that would lead us to C3 Church. While a few of my squad-mates were out getting something to eat they ran across an American missionary named Lindsey who had been serving in Brasov for a few months. She ended up meeting with our team at our hostel to discuss possible contacts she knew that we could connect with. She invited us to go to church with her on Sunday, which lead us to connect with C3 Church.
When my team met with C3 Church in a formal meeting to discuss the possibility of partnering with them in the future, I was immediately blown away by their hospitality. We met with the pastor, Florine and his wife Maribela and his brother-in-law Alin. As we began to talk with them we got to hear a bit of the vision of the church and the how God had brought them to the place they are today.
Four years ago, God had begun a work of calling Florine and Mirabela back to their home country of Romania. Just a few years before the Lord had called them to Tennessee to study while they prepared for what they had envisioned for their lives. Little did they know that through a series of confirmations from the Lord, other people and circumstances they would be end up back in Romania to plant a church in Brasov.
While listening to Florine and Alin speak about the beginning of C3 Church, it was clear to see how God had been blessing a growing their ministry. When returning to Romania, Florine returned with little resources, little direction and what seemed like a long road ahead of them. Within a year, the Lord had provided a place for them to gather as a church. Starting out a church of just 4 people, C3 Church has grown to a solid group of about 25 to 30 and is still growing.
At one point the church staff felt lead to rent out a larger building for their church gatherings. They were able to find that perfect place, but were only able to afford about a third of the asking price. Trusting that the Lord was leading them to rent out a floor of the building, they boldly went to the owners and offered a third of the price and got it! In addition to getting the building miraculously, the Lord had orchestrated supernatural interactions to provide for the money needed for chairs for the church along with carpeting, electrical work and general upkeep of the building.
Prior to coming back to Romania, Florine had no formal pastoral training, yet the Lord was calling him to be the pastor of C3 Church. Though it seemed like he was not qualified or prepared to be able to preach or lead a church, the Lord had big plans for him in showing him that anything was possible if he allowed God to funnel his power into his weakness.
C3’s vision has continued to grow as they prepare for the future. Florine and Alin had expressed that their hope is to be able to start a Christian Counseling Center as well as a Christian school in Brasov. Every week their schedule is full of community outreach, evangelism and discipleship. God continues to bless them and grow their vision and hopes for the future. Though they didn’t expect to be in the place they are today, they have allowed God to transform their plans in his plans for their lives and they have been able to see firsthand the splendor of walking in the midst of the Lord’s will.
Please pray for C3 Church as they continue to do ministry and grow in Brasov. Pray for God's continued blessing on their ministry. Be sure to check out their website or facebook page.
