Off and Running in Romania
Here we are in the beautiful country of Romania once again! This is my 3rd trip and Roberta’s 2nd trip to this very interesting place on the other side of the world. When I was asked in 2007 to join the Glory Gates Quartet from Orange County, California to preach during their Romanian concert tour, I had no clue as to what I was getting myself into and I really wasn’t sure why God wanted me to go along, but I knew that He did. The more I researched the history of Romania, the more convinced I was that it was the sovereignty of God that was drawing me to participate. I had no clue that the state church of Romania was the Greek Orthodox Church. Having been saved out of the spiritual bondage of Greek Orthodoxy as a child and then watching my parents come out of it later in life, I knew the message the Romanians needed to hear was their need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ rather than the attempt to find favor with God through an institution. So, here I am with another opportunity to proclaim that truth once again and God is blessing as the Romanians Christians bring their friends and family to the concerts and the gospel is preached.
Our trip began in Timisoara, the place the revolution began in 1989, which eventually resulted in Romania’s freedom from communism. Timisoara is a great city with much diversity within its borders mixed with tradition hundreds of years old. The town square with its shops, restaurants, Central Park, the opera house and huge cathedral, all add to its character and charm. A mix of old and new is found throughout the city.
This tour, the Glory Gates Quartet has partnered with a Romanian Southern Gospel Quartet from Arad called “The Impact Quartet.” Their sound is amazing and their youthful energy mixed with the sounds of Southern Gospel sung in Romanian, is a joy to our hearts. What a blessing that God has brought these two teams together to share the good news of the gospel through song! I might also add that hey live up to their name because they really are having an impact on all of our lives.
The first crusade was held at Bethel Baptist Church in Timisoara. There were approximately 600 people and most of them had never heard either of the quartets before. Many of them were there because a friend invited them. It’s amazing how the young people of Romania respond to Southern Gospel music. They love the joy of the music and tell me that they can truly relate to the comfort the lyrics bring. 10 people received Christ as Savior and 3 asked for prayer to get their lives back on track as they attempt to discover the true power that believers have over sin.
Tim and Alice Shoemaker, old friends from our Awana days in Orange County, were paired up with Roberta and I at the home of Dorel and Rodica Racoviccan for the first two nights. Their hospitality was primo and their stories of the grace of God in their lives, was even more amazing. They are gifted, hard working servants of God who blessed our lives richly. I can’t forget to mention that they also had a poodle named “Poufy” who looks just like our cock-a-poo Capo’s little brother. That made our stay with them even more like home. Thank you Dorel and Rodica for allowing us into your home and loving strangers with the love of Christ!
Pastor AL