“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24–26
With sincere appreciation, we greet you from Bazna and pray that the grace, mercy, and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ may rest upon you and your households. We are grateful for the opportunity to share several updates regarding the work the Lord is carrying out during this season through Maranatha Baptist Church in Bazna.
We started the year planning the church calendar for the next six months. We desire to serve with clarity, consistency, and purpose. Therefore, we will start the afterschool program every Tuesday and Thursday in partnership with the local school in Bazna, seeking not only to provide academic support but also to nurture Christian character. Today me and Diana had a meeting with the scool principal and gave her the project. She was very opened to help.
Each Wednesday we would like to meet for Bible study and prayer, recognizing that spiritual strength and unity begin in seeking the Lord together.
Children’s ministry remains a priority, and every Saturday we will organize the Children’s Club, alongside Sunday School on Sunday mornings.
Our youth meeting will start once a month on Fridays, providing a relevant and spiritually strengthening environment for the young generation. On the other Fridays of thr month we will continue our evangelistic outreach in Blăjel, serving the community where we have been ministering for many years and where we see gradual openness to the Gospel.
In addition to these ongoing ministries, we have experienced several special events. Beginning March 22, we have planned four Evangelism Sundays leading up to Easter. During this season, our desire is to clearly proclaim the message of salvation and invite our community to repentance and faith.
A particularly significant moment occurred on the second Sunday of February, when we celebrated the Lord’s Supper for the first time at Maranatha. It was a deeply meaningful time of reflection, unity, and gratitude as we remembered Christ’s sacrifice.
On February 14, we organized a Vacation Bible School (VBS) for the children of the village. Ninety-five children attended, including some who came together with their mothers. Each child received a small gift, but above all, we pray that the seed of God’s Word will remain in their hearts. We were blessed by the support of a dedicated team from Dragostea Baptist Church in Arad, together with our brother Doru, for whom we are sincerely thankful. The following day, February 15, the same team served during a special evangelistic service at Maranatha. Although heavy rain fell that morning and we feared attendance might be low, the Lord surprised us with a beautiful gathering and receptive hearts.
Looking ahead, we also carry a vision for the development of the church property. As the weather improves, we plan to resume outdoor work: preparing access to the barn, leveling the land, and planting grass. In the future, as financial resources allow, we hope to renovate the barn, stable, and garden area in order to create a welcoming space for meals, outdoor activities, and a small sports field. Our long-term vision is to develop a center for youth and families — a place where the community can gather in a healthy Christian environment, hear the Gospel, and experience genuine fellowship. We pray that through God’s grace, His Kingdom may expand in Bazna and in the surrounding villages of Boian, Blăjel, and Velt.
On a personal note, we remain grateful for God’s faithfulness to our family. Ionatan Junior successfully completed his exam session at the Faculty of Sports in Sibiu. The boys continue faithfully in high school, even though their daily commute begins at 5:00 a.m. Diana is preparing for her final examination in her teaching career, scheduled for March 20, and we deeply appreciate your prayers for her. As for myself, I am seeking to faithfully adapt to the rhythm of ministry at Maranatha, praying that through the power of the Holy Spirit we may fulfill the Great Commission and see lives transformed by the Gospel. I also strive to cherish every moment spent with my family before the pace of ministry becomes even more demanding.
In closing, we hold firmly to the promise found in 1 Corinthians 15:58:
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
We sincerely thank you for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and financial support for the ministry in Bazna. Please continue to pray for spiritual fruit, protection, unity within the church, and the necessary resources to accomplish the vision the Lord has placed on our hearts.
With gratitude and brotherly love,
Ionatan Moldovan - PIEI Romania Missionary
