February Update

Greetings from Sighișoara, Romania! I want to share with you some of the recent joys I’ve experienced as I minister here.

Printable Quarterly Newsletter
If you would like to download a printable version of my Winter 2010-11 Newsletter, click here.

Young Adult Bible Study
A few months ago, a young man in the Sighișoara Church of the Nazarene approached me about starting a young adult group. He wanted to grow deeper in his Christian walk and in fellowship with his Christian peers. In January, we met to talk about the specifics of the proposed group (like who would be invited, what we would study, if it would emphasize Bible study or socializing, etc.). At this meeting, we decided to start the following week. That was over a month ago. Now we have eight young adults who are committed to this group. It’s so exciting to see God at work in their lives! For now, I am leading this group. We are studying episodes from Simon Peter’s life – as he grew from the fisherman Jesus called to be his disciple, to the great apostle who preached about the risen Christ.

Intro to the Old Testament
The other new development is that I have begun teaching a basic introduction to the Bible for the men in the Țigmandru Church of the Nazarene. Most of the men who attend this village church are unemployed and lack formal education. They are all relatively new Christians and have little biblical knowledge. I’ve never encountered a group so eager to learn about God’s Word. I pray they will not only add to their understanding of the Bible, but that they will learn how to apply it to their lives.

Romanian Studies Program
There are 2 American students in Sighișoara this semester completing internships through the Romanian Studies Program. I am a bit more involved with this group of students than I have been with previous semester groups. On Monday evenings I teach about Romanian culture. On Tuesday mornings we meet for an hour to talk about adjusting to life in another culture. I recently went with the students on a weekend trip to Bucharest, where we visited places of historical and cultural significance, such as the Parliament Palace, the world’s second largest building (pictured below).

Coming Up: Here’s a glimpse at what’s coming in the next few months:

• March 27-31, we will be hosting a conference for children’s ministries workers throughout the Southeastern Europe Church of the Nazarene Field.
• In May (and through the summer), we will be hosting several short-term college teams.
• In the fall, I’ll be teaching a course through European Nazarene College Romania Learning Center on God’s Mission and the Church. It will be my first time to teach a course through EuNC.
  

Coming to the US - Twice:
I will be spending the majority of the month of June in the US to raise funds for the coming year. I will be based out of the Boston area during most of my time in the US, but will also be home in Pennsylvania for the first and last week of June. My schedule is still open to speak in churches, small groups, home groups, etc. Please click here to view my schedule.

I will also be in the United States next March and April (2012). This will coincide with my ordination as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene. I will again be using this opportunity to speak about Romania and raise funds. Please click here to view my schedule.

How You Can Pray: There are so many things happening in Romania right now that are in need of your prayer support. Click here for a list of specific ways you can pray.