Advent 2022 Update: By the Grace of God

A couple years ago, I was talking with a missionary who has spent nearly 20 years ministering in the same country. As we talked about various challenges that he’s faced, he repeatedly said that the only way he got through those difficult times was “by the grace of God.”

I’ve been reminded of that conversation as I reflect over the past several months. This has definitely been a year in which I’ve been stretched and faced plenty of new challenges. (I wrote about some of them in 2 blog posts: "The President of Everything" lists some of my new responsibilities, and "Renovations" explores some of the personal and organizational projects I've been tackling in recent months.) Yet as we approach the end of the year, I can say with confidence that I’ve made it through by the grace of God.

In this newsletter, I want to share some of the highlights from the past several months. I’m also providing links to give online if you want to support any of these ministries for Giving Tuesday or with an end-of-the-year gift.


Romania District

2022 Ordinands with spouses
(and district, regional & general church leaders)

The Romania District Assembly took place on Saturday, October 29 with an atmosphere of celebration. Not only was this the first time we’ve had an in-person district assembly since 2019, but this year also marks 30 years since the beginning of Nazarene ministry in Romania. We heard reports about how God has been working in different ministry areas throughout the past year. The highlight of the assembly was the ordination of 5 elders. Prior to the assembly, there were no ordained Romanians serving on the Romania District. Click here to watch the ordination service.

One way you can support the pastors of the 3 local churches on the Romania District is through the Local Church Sustainability Project. These funds are used to supplement what a local church can pay their pastor while developing local resources to support pastors in the future. 

Ministering to Ukrainian Refugees

Unloading the second truck of
donated items from IKEA

Since the end of February, Nazarenes in Romania have been ministering to Ukrainians displaced by the war. The Bucharest Blessing Church provided housing for over 200 Ukrainian refugees. The vast majority stayed for just a few nights in March and April as they were in transit to another destination. Others needed longer-term housing. In May, IKEA made a huge donation of furniture, appliances, and housewares, allowing us to host 10 Ukrainians for the next 4 months. In Sighisoara, we continue to house a family that has been with us since the spring. We are now partnering with a school for Ukrainian children in the Sighisoara area by providing space at one of the Veritas buildings.  

Here in Romania, we have been able to provide over $25,000 in assistance for housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation because of the generous donations to the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Ukraine Crisis Response Fund. Covering the cost of utilities for the Ukrainian school is one way that donations to this fund will be used in the coming months.

Veritas Foundation

An elementary school for Ukrainian children now uses the upper floors
of the Veritas building "House on the Rock" in Sighisoara. 

Read about other recent events at Veritas in the Autumn edition of the "Veritas View" newsletter. 

Your gift to Veritas helps provide after-school programs for children and teenagers, a day center for adults with special needs, and activities and care for senior adults. Veritas is a NCM Child Development Center and participant in the Nazarene Child Sponsorship program.

EuNC Romania Learning Center

This fall was a busy time for our learning center. A year ago, 6 Romanian students completed their studies with EuNC, and this summer we received applications for 6 new students. While the new students were going through orientation and taking the Academic Skills course, the returning students were taking a course on Church Leadership. 

If you would like to be involved in helping Romanian students who want to study at EuNC but can’t afford the price of tuition, you can give to the Romania LC scholarship fund. (Please indicate on the memo field that it is to go to the Romania LC Scholarship Fund.)

Open Door Foundation

Cutting the ribbon

In August, I had the privilege of participating in the dedication ceremony for two new transition houses in Bucharest for survivors of human trafficking. These homes are for women who have completed the residential program at the Open Door shelter. Since we no longer have Nazarene missionaries living in Bucharest, we have repurposed the Nazarene mission house to be one of these transition houses. 

Donations to Open Door are used to provide residential services, counseling, medical care, and legal support for survivors of human trafficking. Through Open Door's close connection to the Bucharest Blessing Church of the Nazarene, many of these women are being discipled in their new life in Christ.

A Personal Note 

I want to thank you for your partnership with me throughout this past year -- especially for your prayers and words of encouragement as I've been adjusting to my new responsibilities. 

Thank you for your faithful donations to my deputation account which cover my salary, housing, transportation, and other ministry-related expenses. 

My next home assignment is scheduled for Spring 2023. I still have openings in my schedule. Contact me for details.

Praying that you experience the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christ this Advent season.