Church of God Youth and Discipleship makes training and discipleship a priority in all that they do. Each year, several training opportunities are provided in a variety of settings and locations. In November, a team consisting of 11 individuals from the United States and Europe, conducted training in Bucharest, Romania.
The team included Coordinator Tony Lane, John Harris, Florin Cimpean, Don Chavis, Paul Hollifield, Roger Stephenson, Peter Amarei of the Romanian Television Network, and James Hacman from the United States, Adrian Vlad from Romania, Florin Plesa from Austria, Gabriel Tilea from Spain. Pastor Florin Cimpean, pastor of the Philadelphia Romanian Church of God in Chicago, assisted with the logistics of the trip. For two days, the team provided training in practical church ministries for the students at the Pentecostal Seminary in Bucharest. The breakouts provided opportunities for the students to be challenged and exposed to various ideas and experiences with reference to ministries in which they will be involved in the future. On Saturday, the team participated in a seminar for pastors across the Bucharest region. Then, the team disbursed to various churches throughout Bucharest to minister on Sunday morning and evening. Each team member remarked that God is doing some amazing things in the Pentecostal church in Romania, particularly among the youth.
The history of the Pentecostal church is an incredible one. Starting in the 1920s and then enduring hardship and persecution under the communist rule, they have remained faithful. Some of the churches where the team ministered have been in existence for many years. The Philadelphia Church had their construction stopped in the late 70s. However, Pastor George Galis and Pastor Johnny Buia wrote a letter to President Carter, knowing that he would be meeting with Nicolae Ceaușescu, the Communist leader who would be visiting the U.S. President Carter showed Ceausescu the letter and the building construction was continued and dedicated in 1979. Billy Graham once preached there. On this trip, Tony Lane had the honor to preach to this wonderful congregation of faithful followers.
On Monday, the team visited Calarasi, in the southern part of Romania. They visited a ministry called Outstretched Hands of Romania, which ministers to the poor children and families, many of whom are Turks and Gypsies. After a walk among their homes in a small village, the team visited an orphanage there in the same town.
After the years of communistic rule, it was shown that the Church would remain steadfast and is today seeing great growth! Within the Romanian Parliament, there are Pentecostals who have been elected to serve.Mircean Lubanovici, of Portland Oregon was elected to represent all Romanians living outside of Romania. He hosted the team to a traditional Romanian meal and then arranged a complete tour of the Palace of the People which houses the Romanian Parliment. To see the influence of Christians in government is amazing! One morning, the team members were included in a prayer meeting at the Parliament for Christian politicians in government. For the team to have this occasion of sitting at the tables with these officials was a sign that God is with this country. Team members had the opportunity to address the topic of assuming an attitude of servanthood in politics.
Following the prayer meeting, the team toured the massive building constructed initially by Ceausescu. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Palace is the world’s largest civilian administrative building, most expensive administrative building, and heaviest building. The building houses the Romanian Parliament. Gheorghe David, the third highest ranking Senator in the Romanian Senate, is also a pentecostal . He hosted the team in his office and addressed questions and shared what God is helping them to do.
Following the tour and visit to the Parliament building, the team prepared for a youth service that evening in one of the churches. Hundreds of youth attend Bethel Pentecostal Church in Bucharest. Their worship was incredible and it is quite evident that the younger generation truly desires a touch of God in their lives. At the closing of the service, Tony Lane invited them to move forward if they would commit to praying for areas of Romania where the Pentecostal witness is weak. Without hesitation, they accepted the invitation and with tears flowing freely and hands raised, they committed to prayer and service.
Times have been difficult for Romania. They have seen great hardship. However, God is pouring out His Spirit around the world and it is certainly true for Romania! Missionaries are needed to help prepare the next generation of leaders to take the Pentecostal Church into the changing season. Youth and Discipleship considers it a great honor to have had the privilege of seeing and experiencing firsthand God’s Spirit as He moves in a land formerly ruled by a communist dictator. Thank God for freedom and liberation!
The leadership of the seminary and the regional overseer of the churches has asked that a team return next year from Youth and Discipleship so that the training can continue and also include more pastors and church leaders. Those interested in a future trip to Romania, or one of the other International Training Event trips, including the Philippines in February 2012, should contact Tony Lane at 423.478.7229, or write tlane@churchofgod.org.