Partnerships become stronger in difficult times. The Scripture serving as a motto for our church partnering program proves true: “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) This year churches from the US which partner with MLI and churches in Romania, have sent short term mission teams to work with us in Christian camps, conferences, training programs or simply to visit and encourage the ministry in various and remote areas in Romania. Zionsville Presbyterian Church, IN and Grace Church from Normal, IL have come to support and lead youth camps at Alpinis with their partnering churches.
Visit from WABC in Timisoara
Shane Bowling and a group from Washington Avenue Baptist Church, Cookeville, TN visited us in Timisoara and met with some of the Romanian pastors they partner with (some for over 12 years).
Basketball camp in Timisoara
Christ Church of Oakbrook and Lawndale Community Church from Chicago, IL area have sent a basketball team and coach for a sporting outreach event in Timisoara. On the Romanian side the event was done in partnership with the youth from Bethany Baptist Church. Sports are a very efficient evangelistic opportunity. Romanian youth were very much drawn to engage in basketball with good players from the US. Then they were open to talk about life and faith and connect to the local church in Timisoara. We pray that the Gospel seeds planted in this way in the hearts of many young people will grow in their hearts and help them to encounter God.
VBS in Campeni area
Pastors Florin Botar and Aurel Rodean organized a Vacation Bible School in Campeni and the surrounding villages. More than one hundred children attended, the majority coming from non-believing homes. Grace Church from Normal, IL is partnering with the pastors and the work in Campeni area for many years now.
The church in Sohodol held a special service of thanksgiving on its 10th anniversary of the new building. On this occasion Pastor Eugen Groza was invited to preach at a special evangelistic meeting.
