If you have been checking my blog lately, you’ve probably noticed that there hasn’t been much online activity. I apologize for that. The past few months have been very busy and I haven’t had much time to write about what has been happening. I thank you for your continuing prayers for me and for the ministries here in Romania. Here is a long-overdue update. I hope it will serve as a prayer guide for you in the coming weeks.
Pray for the Romania District of the Church of the Nazarene
At the district assembly in November, missionary Tamara Hudson was named the new district superintendent of the Romania district. Please pray for Tamara as she leads the district forward during her tenure as DS. You can read more about the district assembly and Tamara by clicking on these links:- Romania Nazarene: District Assembly Highlights
- NCN News: First female district superintendent in Europe
- NCN News: Women answer the call to ministry
A year ago, there were only about five men attending the Tigmandru Church of the Nazarene, along with many women and children. Several in the church started praying for more men to come into the church and for the men to take on a more active role in the of the life of the church. Soon thereafter, three of the men asked me to lead them in a weekly men’s group, and we started journeying together through the Old Testament. My desire for this group has always been more than simply passing on knowledge about the contents of the Bible, but that these men would also grow in their commitment to Him and in their service to the Church, sharing their faith with others around them.
Thank you for praying with me for the men in Tigmandru. God is answering our prayers! In the past few weeks, the three young men in the men’s group, on their own initiative, have started working in a children’s ministry in another village. Not only this, but they have started having intentional meetings with their non-Christian neighbors to talk about God. Praise God for what He is doing in and through these young men!
Meanwhile, other young men, who first started attending the youth group in Tigmandru, have started to become more involved in the life of the church.Last night during the service in Tigmandru, all the men present were called to the front of the sanctuary in order to praise God for answering our prayers and bringing men into the church. As you can see in this picture, there are now many more than just those original five! Please pray with me that the 3 men who have been in men's group this year will continue to grow and share their faith with others, and that all the men in the Tigmandru Church will become solidified in their Christian walk this year.
Pray for European Nazarene College
You may remember that in the fall, I taught a course with European Nazarene College (EuNC) here in Romania. I have been asked to teach that course again at EuNC’s Albania-Kosovo Learning Center. Please pray for me as I teach that course later this month – specifically for me as I travel to both Albania and Kosovo, for the students, and for the local church leaders who will be assisting me in the course.
At the end of this month, I will be traveling to EuNC’s campus in Germany for the annual all-faculty assembly. Please pray for the entire faculty, spread all over Europe, as we come together to improve curriculum and to discuss changes the college is facing as it seeks to provide decentralized education in many different cultural contexts. (Click here to read more.)
Pray for my upcoming trip to the US
In 6 short weeks, I’ll be returning to the US. One of the major purposes for my extended visit in the US is to raise finances to continue ministering in Romania. As a Mission Corps missionary, I need to raise all the funds that support me in ministry here (such as housing, food, and transportation), as well as personal funds to pay for non-ministry related expenses (such as clothing, routine visits to the dentist, and paying for school loans). Please pray that I will be able to raise the funds needed. (Click here to learn more about my financial needs.)
Please pray for the churches and small groups with whom I will be sharing about what God is doing in Romania, that God will work in them to be partners with Him in His mission in the world. I still have several openings in my schedule, especially in the Pennsylvania-Maryland area and in the Kansas City area. Please check out my schedule here and email me if you’re interested in having me speak with your church or small group. Please pray with me that the time away will be refreshing.
Thank you for praying with me.
Serving Him,
Jonathan Phillips
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