Arriving in Dragonesti, Romania, we were informed that our team itself was composed of roughly 1.5% of the Christians in the whole southern province. In other words, where we were, the land mixed with poor Romanians and rich gypsies, was largely unchurched. What exists here is mostly this cold, very hard, religion… what the people call Orthodoxy. But it is neither Protestant nor Catholic, it’s like it’s own strict breed. To sum it up it’s is based solely on a performance driven life, salvation attained only if enough good works outweigh the bad. But there is absolutely no heart behind any of the good deeds!
The light in this darkness is Hope Baptist Church… whom our team had the high privilege of serving this month…
I was immediately struck by the sincerity, passion, and biblical adherence of the leadership. As far as my discernment goes… it was just “right on!” I have no few words to express the high example that this church sets forth. From preaching to worship, to discipleship, outreach, children’s ministry, caring for the poor, missions… I was just blown away. Not only is their vision worthy to note, but they are serious in making that vision a reality… taking the land for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
So off our team went… our primary function to spread the gospel to those who have never heard it. This was tough business… many days we would spend several hours walking the streets, and we would become hot, tired and hungry (a normal combination, what’s new?)…, and on top of that we don’t speak their language. Our teams would usually have a translator, but even with that, it is very difficult. And the greatest of obstacles being the human heart, calloused to the good news, frozen over and unable to hear anything from heaven.
We did have an abundance of tracts, which is not ideal as the primary means of witness… but surely in a secondary fashion, was at least good to get the Word in their hands in their own language. We also had eyeglass handouts to give which was cool. But overall, very little interest. A huge shift from the openness of Africa… If the Africans didn’t care what you had to say, they still invited you in their homes and gave you their time. Not the case here…
In 2 Cor 10 Paul talks about the gospel being preached to the gentiles because the Jews wouldn’t hear it… I figured I would try the same thing… I was tired of preaching to humans…
this happened more than once…
They weren’t really listening either…
However, we were not without success. We were able to build some meaningful relationships with a few people, sharing the gospel in depth with them and inviting them to church… and some even came!
Amidst the coldness of the land and a seemingly hopeless situation… THERE IS HOPE! And I don’t mean Jesus, although He is, I mean there is a very practical means of providing hope to the community. If you wanted to make the greatest impact on a community, long term, what do you do? I’m sure there are several answers to such a complex question… but I know one that stands above the rest… REACH THE CHILDREN!!
The children… that is the hope… they are the future! I was so refreshed this month to see a church that puts such an enormous focus and attention on reaching the children. The children are not just something we have to “deal” with while the grown ups do the more important work, nor are they the outreach done because that’s what any good church is supposed to do. Not at all, I watched how this church community sincerely valued, not just the children… but the whole community… and because they value the whole community, they value long term impact, raising up disciples who would eventually be leaders in family, social, or political spheres.
No church is doing what it’s supposed to be doing if it is not caring for the children in a sincere, passionate, and purposeful manner.
And so a large portion of our ministry was dedicated in reaching these children… and you want to hear about the most vital evangelistic tool I’ve ever seen?! This was us this month… unbelievable… we’d hop in the van, drive thirty min or an hour to a nearby village, pull over, and drag out the back of the van… you guessed it… a party bounce!! We would set that thing up and the kids would come running from all over!!
i need one of these for back home…
“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will.” -Mt 11:25
