Be blessed!
At one point, Joshua, standing before an unknown man, asked this question: “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
It’s always wise, before entering any battle, to know who stands with you and who stands against you!
This theme is found throughout Scripture and is approached from various perspectives—but regardless of nuance, it draws a line of distinction.
In the New Testament, John picks up on the same idea in one of his epistles, referring to those who remain—those who do not abandon, but continue on despite difficulties, hardships, obstacles, and the list could go on.
In this spirit, I’d like to present those who continue to work with PIE (Partners in Evangelism), placing them—if we may say so in a narrower sense—among “our own.”
This does not cancel out the bond of brotherhood with the other disciples of Jesus Christ. It simply highlights the fact that we have chosen to work together for the advancement of God’s Kingdom—to preach the Gospel, to “plant churches,” to make disciples of all nations, to live in holiness, and to do good works, so that through them people may glorify God in the day of His visitation.
Today, we’re talking about the Sfetcu family—Florin and Alina, along with their five children.
They are missionaries in the town of Beciu, in Teleorman County.
For many years, their aim has been to bring the Gospel to every creature open to this message. More than that, they strive to be a living testimony of God’s grace at work in their lives.
Brother Florin’s desire is to see people saved—delivered from the bondage of sin and addictions, lives transformed, families filled with peace, and homes where the joy of salvation is present.
He also doesn’t ignore the challenges related to poverty and need; he addresses them as any true servant of Christ would, following the example Jesus gave to His disciples—those of the first century and those of the 21st.
Among the church ministries, we can mention: children’s and youth work, Bible studies during the Sunday services, as well as women’s Bible studies led by Brother Florin’s wife.
Their home has served as a sanctuary for these gatherings, but also as a place where anyone in need could find comfort, wise counsel, or a helping hand.
I visited him a while ago and found him working in the garden—a space he uses to support both his family and ministry.
As their children grow and their ministry among the people of the village expands, so do the challenges of life, not to mention the realities of growing older.
One of Brother Florin’s greatest desires is to have a dedicated space for ministry—a building that would serve as a house of worship, a place where people can come and hear the Gospel.
He rejoices with every small step forward and looks by faith toward the day this building will be dedicated.
I visited him together with Brother Walter, the Mission Director for Romania of Partners in Evangelism International.
During that visit, we learned about his plans, his joys and struggles, the hardships of ministry, the progress of the work, and the prayer needs.
It is in this context that I want to share with you, those reading these lines, my desire and request:
Please keep Florin and his family in your prayers.
And lastly, I also want to make known to you the needs of the ministry in Beciu.
Prayer Requests:
— For the family, especially for the children—since the older ones are now teenagers. Brother Florin’s desire is that the Lord would work in their hearts and minds, so that they may believe and be saved!
“I want everyone in my tent to go to Heaven!”
— That the Lord Jesus would be seen in his life
— For his health and the health of his loved ones
— Pray that the Lord would raise up workers in the area where he is serving
— That the ministry would flourish and that people would be saved
— For the completion of the house of prayer and for the necessary resources to make this happen
I too, alongside my brother, thank all of you who feel connected to and support the work in the southern region of the country, especially in Beciu.
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers.
We also hope that you will be part of the short-term mission teams that can come to encourage and support the ministry in Beciu.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be over you, in you, and with you—every single day!
Timotei Stinea - PIEI Romania National Director
