2025 Christmas Letter

Dear family, friends, and supporters,

Greetings to you on this second day of the Christmas season! Here in Romania, we truly get to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with an extended break. In fact, many Romanians do not return to work or school until after the holidays of Epiphany (January 6) and John the Baptist (January 7). Personally, I’m looking forward to enjoying this down time by reading, visiting friends, and catching up on a few personal projects.

Over the past few days, I've enjoyed reading Christmas letters and seeing photos of Christmas celebrations posted by friends from all around the world. I want to take this occasion to share with you a few highlights from the past year.

Romania District Leaders

I have just begun my 5th year as district superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene in Romania. This past year, much of my attention has been focused on the formation of healthy structures for the long-term development of the district. In other words: putting together training materials for district and local church leaders, translating and publishing resources for new church members, creating new streamlined financial reporting procedures, and updating our organization’s legal documents. All of this detail-oriented and behind-the-scenes work in the present is laying a sturdy foundation for years and years of future ministry.

March 1st marked 10 Years that I have been serving as an employed Nazarene missionary – an occasion to praise God for His continued provision, as well as to thank ministry partners who give financial contributions, prayer support, and encouragement. I am truly blessed!

Home Assignment

During April and May, I spent 6 weeks in the US for my first home assignment in 3 years (and only the 2nd time since the pandemic). It was so nice to reconnect with friends and to share updates in churches, mostly on the Mid-Atlantic and New England districts, about what is happening in the Church of the Nazarene in Romania. I’m looking forward to my next home assignment in just a few months, when I’ll be on the Mid-Atlantic, Kansas City, and Florida Districts.

Andre & Brenda Berkhout

In May, Andre and Brenda Berkhout arrived in Romania to serve as NCM coordinators. I’m glad to no longer be the sole Nazarene missionary serving in Romania! During these past 6 months or so, I’ve enjoyed getting to know them as they get plugged into ministries in Romania.

In addition to these ministry highlights, I’ve also enjoyed countless moments with friends throughout the year: summer hikes in nature, celebrating birthdays, meeting for a cup of tea, sharing meals together, exploring parts of the country I’ve never been to before, attending a fall retreat together, and much more!

Thanksgiving with family

In November, I flew to the US to spend 2 weeks in Pennsylvania, celebrating Thanksgiving with family for the first time in 9 years. And we do have much to be thankful for: my dad is 2 ½ years cancer-free and my brother is still employed after this year’s government layoffs and extended shutdown.

In December, I returned to Romania to spend Christmas in Sighișoara. Holiday highlights have included baking Christmas cookies, attending Christmas concerts, caroling on Christmas Eve and eating lots and lots of sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls). I’ve also been cat-sitting for the Berkhouts while they are back in the Netherlands for Christmas (which means I am constantly confusing their black cat with mine!).

Caroling on Christmas Eve

If you’re reading this Christmas newsletter and I haven’t heard from you in a while, please know that I look forward to hearing from you – whether a detailed Christmas letter or just a quick “Hi.”

May you have a joyful Christmas season and a blessing-filled year to come!

Jonathan

PS: As always, you can read my updates at:

jepjon.com
RomaniaNazarene.blogspot.com
facebook.com/jepjonromania