Romanian Revolution!

At the close of 1998 the whole world watched as the Romanian people rose up against their brutal Communist dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu. His execution brought hope for social and economic reform. But twenty-one years on, life for many Romanians is still a bitter struggle. Acceptance into the EU in 2007 opened the floodgates to mass emigration as residents sought work in other countries. Criminals also found it easier to traffic Romanian girls and women into Europe’s ever-swelling sex industry.

Small wonder that the population of this nation is in decline. At around 21.5 million it is 1.5 million less than it was during the revolution; and experts say that at this rate numbers could drop 23% by 2050. The phenomenon isn’t just due to emigration and trafficking, however. Romania has the highest abortion rate in Europe, the second highest in the world. 75% of pregnancies—3 out of 4 babies—are deliberately terminated. With already-inadequate public sector salaries being slashed 25% this June, it isn’t likely this trend will be reversed.  

98.8% of Romanians belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church. In spite of this fact, Romania is one of the top five Christian "hot spots" in Europe today, with more evangelical churches than the rest of the countries in Eastern Europe put together. The Transylvania region in the north was once part of Hungary and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and came under the influence of the Reformation. Even during the Communist era more Bibles were smuggled to the north. This is perhaps why the northwest half of the country has three times more evangelical churches than the south and east.

OM’s base lies in the centre, near the beautiful medieval city of Brasov. surrounded by the stunning, snow-covered Carpathian Mountains and Transylvanian Alps.

The team made a good investment in buying a huge, 100-year-old building in 1997, but because of the subsequent economic downturn they have been unable to renovate or even heat it. This summer they are finally moving into a section they have finished off for office use. The potential for dormitories, kitchen, and meeting rooms remains untapped, however, and the team is asking the Lord for the means to make use of the whole facility.

Although Romania has 450 Christian foundations, Bible schools and missions, OM is one of only 4 organisations dedicated to recruiting Romanians for world mission. To do this, says Field Leader Rafael Nastase, it’s crucial to partner with local churches. “But we first need to prove that we esteem them. For instance, one of the members of a large fellowship with 400 people and a Bible School wanted to join OM Ships. We told the leaders that we wanted her to be sent and blessed by the church. They said they didn’t have money to send her, and gave us only five minutes to speak.

“Six months later the church wrote for more details of what the girl needed, and invited us to visit again. We went back and this time they gave us an hour to speak, and told us they wanted to support their member with 100 Euros a month. This is a common situation. We need to show that we are esteeming and serving the church, that the focus is on them, not OM.”

Rafael smiles. “I hear churches all the time saying about missions, ‘we’re Romanians, we’re too poor! I tell them my own church has only 25 people, and they are helping to send 8 or 9 missionaries to Romania and the rest of the world!”

As part of their efforts to raise awareness, OM Romania is working with OM EAST to supply sets of mission testimony and missiological books to theological schools in the country. 

Of course, there is no shortage of opportunities to evangelise within Romania. With the help of five coaches from local churches OMer Gabriel Gligore has organised six’ football teams—called ‘The Genesis League’--with the aim of leading teens to the Lord. Another team member, Adi Martin, is an enthusiastic evangelistic who is helping to plant a church in his town. And Chileans Henry and Ingrid Tellez have a heart to reach the Roma (gypsy) people; they look forward to several village outreaches this summer.

But one of the most effective and unique ways for getting churches involved in ministry has been through the Bus4Life.

ON THE ROAD WITH BUS4LIFE

The Bus4Life [www.bus4life.org] is OM’s 12 ton, 12 metre-long multimedia ministry on wheels in Central Europe. The bus spends considerable amount of time each year in Romania, and OMer Luminita Dragusin says it takes her one or two months to line up each visit. She believes it’s essential for local churches to take ownership as soon as the colourful red, white and blue vehicle is set up in parks, festivals, conference venues and village greens. Volunteers must be on hand to invite curious people inside to watch films and peruse the books for sale, or to relax at tables and chairs outside enjoying free coffee, snacks and chat.  

The team effectively engages youth with sports, games, face-painting, and singing while various church groups present dramas, concerts and short messages for the crowds that gather. The possibilities for creative interaction are endless.—Even blood-pressure check-ups have been offered! And not waiting for people to come to them the team often shares their good news with local schools, nursing homes and refugee camps along the way.

Valentin Bita, a Christian worker in the town of Calarasi, declared of a visit this May: “I saw something that made me very happy.—Members of my own church came here to make coffee and talk to people. It’s easy for Romanians—even Christians—to lose their focus and passion. But this event has brought all the Christians together. Even the pastor from a very traditional church came and sang with us. It’s a beginning! We want the Bus to come again, for sure!”

Romanians today are crossing borders, and not just to emigrate. They are becoming Jesus’ ambassadors to disillusioned hearts both inside and outside their land. Pray for God to bless and empower this ‘revolution of love’!

OM’s role in the Church is to mobilise people to share the knowledge of Jesus and His love with every generation in every nation. OM pioneers and leads initiatives to redeem lives, rebuild communities and restore hope in over 110 countries.