“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
We thank God for all things, for this is His will for us in Christ Jesus.
From a human perspective, it is often easy to thank God for certain blessings, while it can be much more difficult to give thanks for trials and hardships. Yet God’s command leaves no room for interpretation—we are to give thanks in all circumstances.
What greatly encourages us is the assurance found in God’s Word that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
As missionaries serving with Partners in Evangelism International (PIEI), together with many other faithful servants of the Lord, we continually discover countless reasons to lift our hearts to our Heavenly Father in gratitude and praise.
1. Holy Trinity Baptist Church – Victoria
We continue to serve faithfully while praying that the Lord will allow us to see the fruit of our labor. We long to witness His work in our community, and moments when we see even small signs of spiritual fruit encourage and strengthen us to continue.
We know that our calling is to faithfully obey God’s Word and serve Him wholeheartedly, because our labor in the Lord is never in vain.
Our responsibility is not merely to seek visible results, but to faithfully fulfill the ministry entrusted to us—both for me as pastor and for every brother and sister serving in the church in Victoria.
For this reason, we rejoice in every opportunity to do good, proclaim the Gospel, and demonstrate what God can accomplish through a life that is fully devoted to Him.
We desire to remain a faithful witness, continually seeking new ways to reach the people of our city and surrounding communities with the saving message of Jesus Christ.
Our ministry among young people continues to grow. They are nearing the completion of the Ascension discipleship course, where they are learning how God transforms the lives of those who obey Him and dedicate themselves completely to His service.
We also rejoiced to participate in the dedication service of the newest member of the Stancu family. Ionel and Marta welcomed their fourth child into the world—who is also our grandson. We thank God for this precious gift, pray for His blessing upon the child’s life, entrust him to the Lord’s care, and encourage his parents to raise him in the fear and knowledge of God.
2. Our Missionaries and Their Ministry
This season has been especially busy, as nearly all of our missionaries are involved in summer camps and Vacation Bible School (VBS) ministries.
The summer break provides a wonderful opportunity to build meaningful relationships with both children and their parents, whether they come from our churches or from families with no church background.
Our greatest desire is that everyone who attends these camps and VBS programs will clearly hear the Gospel and understand its message. We pray that the seed of God’s Word will fall on good soil and produce lasting fruit—whether now or later, in God’s perfect timing.
Some of our missionaries have already completed their camps, while others are still serving. Additional VBS events and children’s outreaches continue to take place throughout Romania wherever the Lord has opened doors.
Among these ministries:
* The Christian Center in Alba Iulia hosted a successful VBS led by brother Emanuel Joldos.
* Another VBS program took place in Curtea de Argeș under the leadership of brother Traian Chilau.
* I had the privilege of coordinating a camp in Valchid together with the local brothers and part of the ministry team led by Brother Walter.
* Another children’s ministry was organized in Bazna under the leadership of brother Ionatan Moldovan and his wife.
* At the same time, Partners in Evangelism International is conducting the annual camp at Necrilești under the leadership of brother Daniel Petruț and the ministry team he coordinates.
Today I had the joy of visiting the Necrilești camp and hearing firsthand how thankful both the leaders and volunteers are for the opportunity God has given them to minister to the children.
Please pray that every child who has heard the Gospel will one day experience its transforming power. Whether sooner or later, our prayer is that none of them would remain without the salvation found in Jesus Christ.
3. Reaching Romania
Necrilești Camp
We are deeply thankful to the Lord that we were able to complete the new pavilion at the Necrilești Camp. This facility provided an excellent place where the teenagers gathered each day for devotions, bible studies, crafts, fellowship, and meals.
The camp leaders made full use of this new space, and it quickly became one of the most valuable areas of the camp.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make this project possible—those who prayed, those who gave financially, and those who invested countless hours of physical labor. May God richly bless each one of you. Your generosity and faithful partnership have provided a facility that will serve many people for years to come.
This pavilion will not only benefit the children and teenagers from our missionaries’ churches, but also many others who will participate in future camps and ministry events. Together with the cabins and dining facilities, it will continue to be a tremendous blessing for all who come to Necrilești.
Alba Iulia Christian Center
During the past month, the Alba Iulia Christian Center has truly become a place of refuge and hospitality.
Mission teams arriving from the United States found a welcoming home where they were provided with comfortable accommodations and a caring environment from which to serve.
The Center also hosted the VBS program organized by brother Emanuel Joldos. Beginning this week, brother Traian Nemeș will lead a week of Vacation Bible School activities at the Center.
We are grateful that this ministry is being supported not only by Partners in Evangelism International, but also by a ministry team from England who has joined us in serving the children.
Please pray for every child attending these programs, as well as for all the volunteers and leaders. Pray that the Lord will protect them, bless their efforts, and accomplish His work in every heart.
Podari Christian Center
Although our primary focus during this season has naturally been on the camps and summer ministries, we have not lost sight of the vision for the Christian Center in Podari.
As we have shared previously, our desire is to develop this facility into an effective ministry center that will serve the people of southern Romania through both practical assistance and Gospel outreach.
We are especially encouraged that a Christian sister, who is a pulmonary physician, has expressed her willingness to volunteer several times each month by offering medical consultations at the Center.
This presents both an exciting opportunity and a significant challenge. In order to provide medical services legally and responsibly, appropriate facilities must be prepared according to both medical and governmental regulations. In addition, necessary medical equipment must be obtained so that patients can receive quality care free of charge.
We are also seeking the resources needed to provide transportation for the doctor as she travels regularly from Slatina to Podari to serve those in need.
At the same time, plans are underway for a short-term mission team from the United States to assist in preparing the Center for future ministry opportunities.
Please pray that this vision will become a reality and that the Podari Christian Center will become a powerful instrument through which people from Podari, the surrounding villages, and even the city of Craiova will experience both physical care and the hope of the Gospel.
Pray that the Lord will continue to open doors, provide the necessary resources, and move the hearts of many people to become partners in this important ministry.
4. Short-Term Mission Teams
As we mentioned in last month’s update, a short-term mission team arrived in Romania during June to assist with the construction of the new pavilion at Necrilești and to serve in two summer camps.
It was a tremendous blessing to witness the hearts of these brothers and sisters for the ministry of Partners in Evangelism International in Romania.
We were especially encouraged to see young men and women, including teenagers, willingly giving of themselves by working with their hands on the construction project and faithfully serving the children during camp. Their dedication to the Lord at such a young age was both inspiring and encouraging.
We pray that many more young people will be willing to answer God’s call and join us in serving here in Romania.
Later this month, a second mission team, led by brother Cornel Ștef, arrived in Romania. They spent several days ministering alongside our missionaries in the Apuseni Mountains.
Brother Florin Botar hosted two of the sisters that came with the team, Mellody and Carolina, giving them the opportunity to spend time with his family as well as with other families from the local church and the surrounding community. These personal relationships became wonderful opportunities for encouragement and Gospel witness.
The positive experience of last year’s ministry in the Apuseni region inspired this team to return and continue serving there. We rejoice to see how God places specific ministries and regions upon the hearts of those who come to serve. Their partnership is a tremendous encouragement to our PIEI missionaries throughout Romania.
Another part of the team participated in a medical outreach by providing eye examinations and distributing eyeglasses in the village of Nou and Mihalț.
Dozens of people heard the Gospel, received vision screenings, and were blessed with eyeglasses free of charge.
We are particularly grateful that two sisters from our church in Victoria were willing to leave their families and responsibilities at home in order to assist with this ministry. Our desire is for them to gain the experience necessary to continue offering these services in the future as part of ongoing Gospel outreach.
Please pray that this ministry will continue to grow and become an effective tool through which many people will receive both improved physical vision and the life-changing truth of God’s Word.
At the time of this writing, the mission team has traveled to Ukraine, where they are partnering with local believers in children’s camps, eyeglass distribution, and evangelistic ministry.
Please pray that the Lord will protect them, bless their ministry, and bring them safely back to Romania before they return home.
We also ask you to pray that God will continue to raise up many more people who are willing to serve, whether by coming to Romania themselves or by faithfully supporting the ministry from afar.
5. Christian Compassion Ministry
Whenever we speak about helping those in need and demonstrating God’s compassion, we remember the Lord’s teaching that our left hand should not know what our right hand is doing.
We do not share these reports to draw attention to ourselves or to seek recognition. Rather, we share them because we desire to obey the words of the Lord Jesus and to encourage others to show the same love and compassion.
Far from boasting, we recognize that one of every Christian’s greatest responsibilities is to put God’s Word into practice and never overlook “the least of these” whom our Lord loves so deeply.
For many years, the missionaries of Partners in Evangelism International have faithfully ministered to widows, orphans, the poor, the elderly, strangers, and families facing great hardship. We are convinced that this compassionate ministry will continue as long as God provides opportunities, demonstrating His love in practical and tangible ways.
6. International Ministry
Although no missionary from Romania has traveled to Ukraine this year to assist directly with the ministry there, we continue to pray for our brothers and sisters who are faithfully serving. We ask God to protect them and to bless the evangelistic efforts of the mission team from the United States serving alongside brother Cornel Ștef.
We are also looking forward to brother Dereje’s return from Ethiopia so that we may continue working together and further develop the ministry both in Romania and in Ethiopia.
In addition, we are preparing to welcome brother Allan, a PIEI missionary from Uganda, along with his family. They are planning to visit Romania in October, and we are honored to host them.
Please pray that the Lord will grant them safe travel, provide the necessary visas, and allow our time together to become a source of mutual encouragement and spiritual refreshment.
It is our prayer that, just as we are encouraged by hearing about God’s work in Uganda, our brothers and sisters there will also be encouraged by what God is accomplishing through His servants here in Romania.
7. Prayer Requests
We are deeply grateful for your faithful prayers on behalf of the ministry in Romania. Please continue to stand with us before the Lord as you pray for the following needs:
* Pray that whenever we stand to preach or teach God’s Word, He will give us His message—a word that brings conviction, edification, counsel, encouragement, and comfort to His people.
* Pray that believers will remain faithful in a world filled with temptation and compromise, so that their testimony for Christ will remain pure and honorable.
* Pray that those who are weak in their faith will be strengthened, lovingly discipled, and wisely guided by our missionaries and church leaders.
* Pray that every child, teenager, young adult, and older person who has heard the Gospel will respond to God’s call, be reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ, receive salvation, and grow in a life of holiness.
* Pray that the Lord will renew our strength and keep our faith steadfast until the day He calls us home.
* Pray that God will continue to provide the financial resources needed for every aspect of the ministry through faithful partners both in Romania and around the world, and that every gift will be used wisely and faithfully according to the real needs of the ministry.
* Please pray for our missionaries and their families—that they will be protected, walk in holiness, and preserve the unity that the Holy Spirit has created in the Body of Christ.
8. Thanksgiving
We do not want to overlook any of those who, whether from their abundance or from very little, have chosen to give so that God’s work in Romania can continue without hindrance.
Please receive our sincere gratitude.
Whether you have supported us through prayer, opened your hearts and resources to give financially, or traveled to Romania to serve alongside us, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. May the Lord richly bless each one of you for your partnership in the Gospel.
Our prayer is that, through your faithful support, even greater thanksgiving will rise to God as His kingdom continues to advance.
We are especially thankful that Romania and the ministry of PIEI continue to hold a place in your hearts. Your love, encouragement, generosity, and faithful partnership strengthen us more than you know.
We also wish to thank your families, who faithfully support and encourage you as you serve the Lord. Together we are advancing the Gospel during days that are becoming increasingly challenging, and we praise God for allowing us to labor together for His glory.
Thank you, from the depths of our hearts.
9. An Invitation
Finally, we warmly invite you to come and serve alongside us here in Romania.
We would be honored to welcome you as fellow laborers in the Lord’s harvest. Serving together provides opportunities not only to bless others with the gifts God has entrusted to each of us, but also to encourage one another and grow together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Even now, we look forward to the privilege of serving you.
Like Abraham, who warmly welcomed his visitors by saying, “Please do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under the tree. Let me bring you something to eat, so you can be refreshed before you go on your way,” we extend that same spirit of Christian hospitality to you.
In humility and with great joy, we say:
You are always welcome in our homes, our churches, our ministry centers, our camps, and throughout Romania.
Here, as everywhere else in the family of God, your brothers and sisters will rejoice both to serve you and to serve alongside you, so that together we may exalt the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for as long as He grants us the opportunity.
May God richly bless you, our dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ.
With gratitude and Christian love,
Stinea Timotei – PIEI Romania National Director
