The church we are partnering with this month requested that we help connect them with potential ministry partners, future missionaries, and people with a heart for Romania. They are working as the Body of Christ in an area that is considered a pastor and missionary graveyard due to the deep Orthodoxy Religion (which equates to going to church for weddings, funerals, Christmas and Easter) and occult practices. Historically, this area has been on the constant defense from people who have come in and taken advantage of the citizens of Olt. The people are very suspicious of outsiders and long-term, committed people are needed to shine Jesus's light in this darkness.
What I have learned so far from Pastor Raul is that he is a man of the Word. He has challenged us, on more than one occasion, to explain why we believe what we believe based purely on scripture, using Jesus's words, not our own thoughts. He is very focused on strategically reaching all of Olt county for Jesus. If you want to contact Pastor Raul directly you can email him at [email protected].
Here is a letter from the pastor so an hear his heart:
Hello,
I am a part of Raspandind Evanghelia in Sudul Judetului Olt (RESO) ministries which once translated means Spreading the Gospel in Oltenia. God gave us a vision to start a ministry in the southern part of Romania to spread the gospel and build His kingdom. Hope ministry is an evangelical Christian church based in Draganesti-Olt, southern Romania. Our church was first established in 2003 to spread the gospel to one of the most unreached region of the country.
With more than 500,000 people, Olt County has less than 1 percent of people as born again believers. Our mission is to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the community here. We currently are working in 60 surrounding villages and towns and we want to start 25 new kids groups in the next five years. We want to impact Draganesti and surrounding areas to the gospel from different angles. We currently run various ministries: children, youth, evangelism, widow, logistics, church planting, and discipleship programs. We also have social programs such as soup kitchens, home schools, after school activities, food and clothing banks, and other programs. We currently have 25 full time missionaries and host teams; however, we need help to expand and facilitate new and existing ministries.
Although God has blessed us with committed missionaries and teams, we still require more. We currently have five different positions open for long-term missionaries, Children’s worker, logistics assistant, new missions base coordinator, young adult outreach coordinator, and a church planter. We are also looking for churches/partners who would join alongside the ministry and work under the vision of the ministry. Thank you for taking the time to read this e-mail. Please prayerfully consider partnering with us and joining our vision to spread the gospel and expand the kingdom in Southern Romania. You can also view our website at www.bisericasperanta.ro.
Many Blessings,
Raul
