Columbus, Georgia and Bistrita, Romania Become Sister Cities
We had been praying for many years that God would open the door for Bistrita to find a Sister-City in the U.S. We had seen what Columbia, S.C. had done for Cluj in their Sister City relationship and could see such potential for Bistrita. One of the first people we met in Columbus was Jack Rodgers, a member of City Council, Mayor Pro-tem and a member at Edgewood. Jack went with us to Romania in 1998 and immediately became wholly committed to the people of Bistrita and the possibility of a Sister City. He came home and met with our City Council and never gave up the idea or the plan for Bistrita and Columbus to unite. God truly placed Jack in a unique place of commitment and service with a heart to go with it. After approval from the International Sister Cities Commission in Indiana, we officially became Sister Cities in 2002.
Through the years, the City of Columbus has sent a variety of city leaders to share ideas and methods. These include Assistant Chiefs from both the Fire Department and Police Department of Columbus, City Council members, School Superintendents, teachers, Labor Department officials and a wide variety of others interested in developing the ties between the cities. The Mayor and Council members from Bistrita have traveled to Columbus as well. Through this relationship a number of ministries have been developed.

A Team Member prepares to read a proclamation from Mayor Jim Wetherington of Columbus at a "Sister City" meeting.

Team members posing with the Mayor of Bistrita.