Warm greetings from Bazna! We are deeply grateful for your faithful support, your prayers, and your partnership in the work God is doing through Maranata Baptist Church. We do not take this partnership for granted. Your encouragement helps us continue serving children, families, young people, and people in need, while seeking to make the Gospel known in Bazna and the surrounding villages.
1. MINISTRY IN AUGUST
A Week of Partnership with the Slavic Gospel Association
On 7 August we welcomed a team from the Slavic Gospel Association. Their visit was a great encouragement to our church and gave us the opportunity to combine evangelism, children's ministry and relationship-building. Together we visited four families in Bazna, listened to their stories, encouraged them and spent meaningful time building trust. We also had an English lesson for children, which created a natural and enjoyable way to connect with families who may not normally attend church activities.
The team also visited several churches in and around Mediaș. These visits strengthened fellowship between smaller churches in the area and reminded us that we are part of something larger than one local congregation. It was a valuable time of encouragement, prayer and sharing what God is doing in our communities.
Vacation Bible School – Bazna and Blăjel
For three days we held Vacation Bible School in Bazna, followed by one outreach day in Blăjel. The children enjoyed Bible stories, songs, games, crafts, English activities, fellowship and plenty of opportunities to laugh and build friendships. The inflatable slide quickly became the main attraction for the children and helped create an atmosphere where they felt welcome and excited to return.
Beyond the activities themselves, we were especially thankful for the relationships that developed. Children who came had the opportunity to hear biblical truths in a joyful setting, while parents and families became more familiar with the church and the people serving there. In Blăjel, the outreach at the sports hall gave us another opportunity to reconnect with children and families in a nearby community. We pray that the seeds planted during these days will continue to grow.
A Historic Baptism Service – 16 August
On 16 August we experienced a very special day in the history of Maranata: our first baptism service in Bazna. Claudiu and Mirela publicly confessed their faith in Jesus Christ and followed Him in obedience through water baptism.
Because we do not yet have a baptistry, the baptismal pool was placed on the church terrace, while the congregation gathered in the courtyard. More than 100 people attended, even though we have only about 70 chairs. People stood in the hall, on the terrace and throughout the courtyard so they could witness this important moment. Seeing so many people gathered around the testimony of two new believers was deeply encouraging to us.
After the service we shared a meal together with everyone who had come. It became more than simply a lunch: it was a beautiful time of fellowship, conversation and relationship-building. People stayed, talked, laughed and spent time with one another. Visitors had the opportunity to meet members of the church in a relaxed setting, and the joy of the baptism continued through the afternoon. It was one of those days that reminded us that ministry is not only about services and programmes, but about people becoming part of a spiritual family.
On the following Sunday we celebrated the Lord's Supper, and for the first time Claudiu and Mirela participated with the church family as baptized believers. This was a deeply meaningful moment for all of us. We continue to pray for their spiritual growth and for others who are preparing for baptism and discipleship.
2. OUR FAMILY
After a very busy summer of ministry, we were grateful to have a short family vacation and some time to rest together. Now we are preparing for the beginning of the new school year. My wife has already returned to work at the kindergarten, and the children are preparing to begin another school year.
Ionatan Junior is working during the summer and will return to university in October to begin his second year. We are thankful for God's care over our family and for the opportunities He gives each of us to grow, work and serve.
On 7 September I am scheduled to undergo nose surgery. I expect to need approximately two weeks of rest and reduced activity. To make sure the church continues to be cared for during this period, we have arranged for different ministry teams to come and serve at Maranata on 13 and 20 September.
On 20 September we will also be at Bethel Church in Mediaș as part of an initiative designed to help the smaller churches around Mediaș know one another better, build relationships and encourage one another in ministry.
3. PROJECTS FOR THE AUTUMN
· After-School Programme: We will restart the After-School programme as the school year begins, continuing to provide homework support, educational activities, snacks, a safe environment and consistent relationships with children and their families.
· Weekly English Lesson: We plan to continue a weekly English lesson, using language learning as a practical bridge for relationships with children and families in the community.
· Youth Meetings: Regular youth meetings will continue, with an emphasis on fellowship, biblical teaching, discipleship and helping young people become actively involved in the life of the church.
· Family Day: Once each month we want to create a Family Day focused on fellowship, worship, testimonies, shared meals and meaningful relationships among families in the church and community.
· Practical Care for Seniors and Disadvantaged Families: We want to begin a practical social ministry for elderly people and families facing difficult circumstances in Bazna. Depending on the need, this may include help with shopping, cleaning, cutting and preparing firewood, small practical tasks, or other forms of assistance.
· November – Four Sundays of Evangelism: We are planning four Sundays dedicated intentionally to evangelism. We want to invite friends, relatives and neighbours and create simple, welcoming opportunities for people to hear the Gospel clearly.
· December – 100 Shoeboxes for Children: In December we hope to prepare approximately 100 shoeboxes for children, including sweets, school supplies, hygiene items, a toy and a personal greeting. We see this not simply as giving gifts, but as an opportunity to show practical love, build relationships and share the message of Christ.
· Christmas Outreach: We also hope to organise a Christmas gathering for children and families, with carols, a children's programme, testimonies, a Gospel message, gifts and fellowship.
4. PRAYER REQUESTS
· Please thank God with us for the Slavic Gospel Association team, the VBS in Bazna and Blăjel, and every child and family we were able to reach.
· Pray for Claudiu and Mirela as they begin this new stage of their walk with Christ. Pray for strong discipleship, spiritual maturity and a faithful life as part of the church family.
· Pray that the Lord will prepare more people for baptism and that we may see another baptism before the end of the year.
· Pray for the people who have recently begun attending Maranata, that they would come to genuine faith in Christ and become rooted in the church.
· Pray for the After-School programme, the children and their families, and the resources needed to serve them well, including school supplies and backpacks.
· Pray for our autumn ministries: English lessons, youth meetings, Family Days and the practical ministry to elderly and disadvantaged people.
· Pray for the four evangelistic Sundays in November, that God would open hearts and bring people who are ready to hear the Gospel.
· Pray for the December shoebox outreach and the approximately 100 children we hope to reach, that the gifts would open doors for lasting relationships and Gospel conversations.
· Pray for the smaller churches around Mediaș as we seek stronger fellowship, cooperation and encouragement among local congregations.
· Pray for my surgery on 7 September, for wisdom for the medical team, a good recovery and strength during the weeks that follow. Pray also for the ministry teams serving at Maranata while I recover.
· Pray for our family as we enter a new school and work season, that we would remain healthy, united and faithful in serving Christ.
Thank You for Standing With Us
Thank you again for praying, giving and standing alongside us. We are grateful not only for the practical support, but also for the sense that we are serving together. The ministry at Maranata is still small, but we are seeing doors open: children are coming, families are allowing us into their homes, new people are attending services, relationships are growing, and we have now witnessed our first baptism in Bazna.
Our desire for this autumn is simple: not merely to organise more activities, but to build deeper relationships. We want to know people, love them, serve them in practical ways, share the Gospel with them and help those who respond to Christ grow into faithful disciples. Please continue to pray with us that Maranata will be a faithful presence for Bazna and the surrounding communities.
“I thank my God every time I remember you…” — Philippians 1:3
With gratitude and prayers,
Ionatan Moldovan - PIEI Romania Missionary
