We’ve just completed our trip to Romania and had a great week. Our team consisted of 66 members from Pennsylvania, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Though we were from different churches and different parts of the country we became a cohesive team in just a short time.
Five members came in two days early to unpack our huge shipment and organize the supplies for School of Heroes, our annual Vacation Bible School program. Weldon and Margaret Young from Florida, Brenda, Rachel and Rebekah Eller from Georgia, worked with Romanian teens from Golgota Baptist Church to get everything organized and ready for the team. The Church teens were Arlene RebecaArdelean, Priscilla Nemeti, Miriam Socaci, AdiSecheli, Emma Secheli, Teodora Pop, Daniel Gherman, MirelaGherman, Alex Charachaci, FilipCharachaci, OtiPintican, Alexandra Pintican, OtiNemeti, Priscilla Vincze, ChristiSecheli.
The remainder of the team arrived on Saturday, June 18th in time for dinner and we had a great time of fellowship. Team members from Pennsylvania: Kiley Shaeffer; Team members from Tennessee: JR Kerfoot; Team members from South Carolina: Beth Allen, Annie Ruth Yelton; Team members from Alabama: Libby Biggs, Ken Grubb, Allison Sheppard, Scott Sheppard, Suzanne Sheppard; Team members from Georgia: Ken Branch, Arlene Branch, Sybil Culpepper, Lois Lass, Cheryl Retherford, Joyce Stryker, Betsy Weaver, Holly Weaver, Chuck Yarbrough; Team members from Florida: John Anderson, Gail Bazer, Pastor Larry Bazer, Team Leaders Tom & Arlene Beal, Linda Clark, Rebecca Clark, Rob Ellison, Austin Garner, Mitch Garner, Sue Garner, Tonya Garner, Tyler Garner, Christine Goodson, Abby Harrison, Cindy Harrison, Music Minister David Hasker, Ethan Hasker, Daniel Heidenreich, Natalie Hoang, Angela Jacobs, Kim Jacobs, Allen Kirby, Rhonda Lackey, Jennifer Mason, John Mason, Lynette McBride, Dixie Miles, Alline Olds, Gerald Oswald, Ciara Pait, DeePait, Courtney Parker, Valerie Piszczek, Michelle Rowlands, Jerry Silliman, Rebecca Silliman, Jeremy Silliman, Maggie Swartout, Melinda Vinson, Ron Vogelsong, Bob Worzalla, Debbie Worzalla.
Twenty-two of our team members performed as an orchestra, led by Minister of Music, Melbourne Baptist, David Hasker, on Sunday morning and throughout the week at different venues in the region. They worked with church musicians on Tuesday evening in a clinic setting at Golgota Baptist Church in Bistrita. They played a full concert on Wednesday evening in the Cultural Hall in Bistrita to a packed house. This is the former “Communist Hall” and the same stage where dictator Ceaucescu himself, stood to rail against Christians and the cross of Christ. The last piece they played was “How Great Thou Art”, written by Stuart Hine, While most people think of it as a Swedish hymn, he actually wrote the words while he journeyed in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. (When through the woods and forest glades I wander…..) The church choir and instrumentalists from Golgota Baptist Church (First Baptist) joined them on “How Great Thou Art”, led by Minister of Music, Golgota Baptist, TiTi Cifor. The audience stood to their feet for an ovation of praise and thanksgiving for what we had just heard.
Performances continued on Thursday evening at Nasaud Baptist Church, and then Sunday morning again, at Golgota Baptist. Finally, traveling to Oradea, our team was given the opportunity to lead the evening service at Emanuel Baptist Church. This magnificent place is the largest Baptist Church in Eastern Europe. The orchestra played a full concert, our team members gave testimonies, and Pastor Larry Bazer shared the message. We enjoyed dinner and a time of fellowship with Pastor Paul and Pastor Doru, their families and some members of the church. They shared stories of how they lived under Communism and how close the Pastors were to arrest and possible death before the revolution.
In addition to all the concerts and clinics, the orchestra members were all involved in the mornings with the rest of our team as part of our School of Heroes teams. They led the music, or taught in Bible Learning or helped the children complete their crafts.
Our School of Heroes teams were in five different church/school venues. Feldru/Neposwas directed by Annie Ruth Yelton and Beth Allen. School #4 in Bistrita was directed by Suzanne Sheppard. Galatii Bistrita was directed by Tanya Garner. Lechinta was directed by Betsy Weaver. Teaca was directed by Brenda Eller. Forty-three translators (most of them teenagers) assisted us in the schools, many of whom have been working with us every year. We could not lead School of Heroes without their active participation and leadership.
Each of the schools had a team of 10-12 team members, each gifted to bring the gospel to the children through music, teaching and games. We were able to minister to 882 children. By the end of the week, there were 493 children who made decisions to accept Christ as their Savior. Their contact information was given to the Pastors in their respective churches and will be following up with their families.
Our days were filled with activity and in the evening we broke up into small teams of 5-7 members to attend and participate in many of the mission churches supported by First Baptist and its sister churches. We all really enjoyed the interaction and fellowship with other believers. Many who attended who were seeking faith, came to know the Lord. We continue to pray for those who made a decision and church members who can encourage them in their faith.
On Friday evening, June 24 we celebrated with the youth at a concert in the town square. Two bands, SkyDive and 4Mation, performed. The Renaissance Festival was going on that weekend and we were able to share music and the gospel with many of the townspeople.
On Saturday, we continued our Youth Rally with collaborative music by some of our team orchestra members, David Hasker, John & Jennifer Mason, Kim Jacobs, Rachel Eller, JR Kerfoot and Romanian teens, Adi, Alex, Christi, and Miriam. We heard teaching by Pastor Larry about our relationship with Jesus, and others. Our theme was iface2face. We wanted to share that relationships are important. The question was “Are you the person the person you are looking for is looking for?” Whether it’s friendships, dating or our relationship with God, we need to become the person God wants us to be. We all enjoyed our time together and look forward to planning for next year’s rally.
Also on Saturday, we traveled to Camp Hope, Tabera Speranza, and celebrated dedication of the Camp. Our team attended along with many church members, townspeople, the band, Bistrita Mayor Oltean, other town leadership, and the Vice President of Romania’s Congress who made the trip from Bucharest just for this occasion. After a wonderful time of worship and praise, we placed a cornerstone in the building, complete with Arlene Beal’s father’s Bible, School of Heroes curriculums, and a picture of Pastor Peter Farc, the pastor of Golgotha Baptist Church who first invited the Beals to come. We had a time of prayer, tears and celebration! We look forward to many children attending camp and hearing about God.
We couldn’t have accomplished all we did without the inexhaustive help and leadership of our Pastors and their wives, Nelu & Mihaela Ardelean, Mihai & Claudia Nemeti and their families; Elders Costel & Marianna Banabic, Cornell & Semida Pop, Jackie and Vali Rosca and their families and of course the culinary team of Vasili & Florica and their wonderful kitchen staff who feed us abundantly!! Sarmalis are an all-time favorite!
Tom and Arlene Beal have led our teams for more than 20 years. They’ve dreamed every time as they’ve planned each trip of how our teams can work with the Romanians to bring their people to know God more. This trip, as with every trip before has accomplished just that. We saw many come to know the Lord and others to be encouraged in their faith. As our Heroes shared in School of Heroes this year, Mission Accomplished!!
Though we’ve returned home, our thoughts and prayers are with our Romanian family. We’ve all become Romaniacs!
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