General Report from Our Romanian National Director

Greetings and may the Lord bless you!

(A personal note and prayer request: Timothy Jr was injured in sports today and taken to the hospital in Fagaras. He is better and now home. Please pray for a full recovery. Thank you.)

As PIEI's Romanian national director I have begun a Bible study with the missionaries to encourage and build them up in their faith for the glory of our Lord. Prayerfully the Lord will be pleased to make us more like our Lord Jesus Christ and increase our effectiveness in the Gospel.

First, we began by seeing in the Scriptures how God calls people to be His workers. This led to personally evaluating ourselves. This was to recognize and confirm that each is in His work, at this time, and in the the place to which He has directed each one. All the missionaries shared testimonies that encouraged each other as God was and is evident in their respective lives.

Second, each evaluated themselves according the character qualities in 1 Timothy 3. These character qualities the Holy Spirit caused Paul to write to Timothy and also to us today. The first quality is “blameless,” and caused us to consider purity in our soul. This inner purity is pleasing to the Lord, and also important as an example to people as we live our lives in our communities.

I have a two-fold desire as we work our way through this study together: to hold fast to our common desire to serve together; and to become a team of brothers and sisters on the same path who will remain faithful to the Lord and each other.

Please pray:

• That each missionary will be the man/woman God wants them to be

• This time of personal reflection and evaluation will be consistent to a truthful testimony

• That each one's character be under the control of the Holy Spirit and governing each of us

• Protection of the missionaries, their families and those with whom they work

• For open doors for the preaching of the Gospel

The following are a few missionaries' testimonies of God's call on their lives:

FLORINA  DARVELL

Reduced to the essence, two years after I repented the Lord put in my heart the desire to work with orphaned children. I waited for it to happen immediately, but four years passed when Raul asked me if I wanted to come to Oltenia to work with orphaned children. I said I would go if the Lord spoke to me. The Lord spoke to me in Hebrew 6:15 -“And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” After which I quit my job and left by faith to serve the Lord working with orphans and the church planting team. This year marks the 22nd anniversary of my serving the Lord. 

FLORIN SFETCU

I was working in Italy when I repented. Right from the moment of my conversion, God put in my heart these areas where I serve today. I knew the need was urgent, but I was not prepared. In 2015 God spoke to me through Romans 10:14-15 - “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!'”

CORNEL FOGOROSIU 

For me the Lord's call to salvation was the first step at the age of 17. This was followed by a period of involvement with young people in the orchestra and marching band of the church in Racovita. The brothers in the church, but especially the pastor, saw in me a future worker in the Gospel, overseeing me studying and serving in the congregation. Sometimes going to other congregations, too. Thus I saw the great need for workers in the Lord's harvest.

I was more and more convinced that the Lord was calling me into His work as I grew in the Word. After marrying I prayed the Lord to certify this call by speaking to my wife. It was a clear confirmation when she said to me, “Dear, I believe that we must enter into the work of the Lord.” Immediately without me saying anything, the pastor brother asked me if I wanted to enter the work, because I would be able to serve the Lord much more. It was difficult to give up work, but we both decided to trust the Lord who called us (1994).

I praise the Lord for this honor and thank Him for being with us over the years. There is not a greater job.

The following are statements about a person's character:

TRAIAN CHILAU

The biblical synonym of the the word “character” would also be “cutting around the heart.” We see an example in Joseph in antiquity, but the best example is in Jesus. Amen!

EMANUEL JOLDOS

Character is the sum of a person's habits, values and principles; and faithfulness is the cornerstone of character. A beautiful character, like Jesus’ is formed just as He was formed by accepting the will of the Father.

GABI CUC

Basic character – be moral, have principles that one does not deviate from no matter the situation

Christian character – one is born again and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (Philippians 2:5; Galatians 5:25.  The natural man must be crucified - Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20 and 5:24)

TIMOTHY STANEA

Blessed are you, your homes and those you serve!

Concerning your way of life in the past, get rid of the old man who corrupts by deceptive lusts and would accompany you in the spirit of your mind; clothe yourself in the new man, made in the image of God …

Character – 

To be more than to do! 

Looking at some particulars of the apostle Paul in 1Timothy 3:1-7

1. To be blameless (pihana = deed that violates morality, moral guilt, dishonesty, sin); blameless = clean, pure, innocent, pure in heart; the Lord says Job is blameless and pure in heart!

2. A pure soul: tell your neighbor the truth! Don't give the devil opportunity. He works with his hands to have something good to give to the others. Use good words to build up, to give grace to those who hear.

3. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit by whom you have been sealed

4. Are you a blameless man/woman?

5. Are you pure in heart?

Our study will follow this model of looking at biblical text(s), then reflection with purpose for godliness.

May you increase in blamelessness and a pure heart as you walk in God's ways.

Timothy Stanea – PIEI Romanian National Director

Kingdom Work for the Lord

(Before highlighting the Lord's work to which He has called me please know that I am the pastor of PIEI's first church. Over years the Lord also has widened my ministry to include gospel-oriented mission organizations working in collaboration for His church in wider Romania. This has been a great blessing as well as growing me to become acquainted with resources to advance His kingdom. As PIEI's national director I feel God's calling to return the investment in me as PIEI's first missionary. Therefore, my reports to you will always be multi-faceted.)

In April I started a Bible course for sisters in the churches entitled "The Fulfilled Woman." I was helped by Sister Sorina Zaharia, who works with Choose Life! Every Sunday afternoon, the women met online and spent time in the Bible as well as sharing thoughts, experiences, and prayer requests. They spent the last lesson together at the church in Victoria, where they enjoyed a meal together. I thanked the sister and her husband with whom I established a partnership for new areas. PIEI missionaries will benefit during this year from the potential support of this couple in meetings and courses.

Pray that we will be able to organize training, courses, and events for PIEI’s mission points

Pray that the Lord will prepare hearts for Bible study, and for personal growth in Christian maturity

In Visul de Sus, Maramureș I visited where a Place of Prayer church has been built. I am involved on behalf of the Baptist Christian Community in a partnership project with International Cooperating Ministres. We support churches in their construction projects. This partnership has proved to be a great blessing for 14 Baptist, Pentecostal and Plymouth Brethren churches in agreement in the Gospel. The psalmist says, "As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.” (Psalm 84:6) I want my passage through this world to leave behind “sustainable transformations.” That is to bring added value and blessings with whom I interact. Below are photos from recent projects.

Pray that the Lord will provide the necessary resources for the ongoing projects in Viseul de Sus, Craiova, Daneș, Vânători, Geoagiu

Pray that the time will come when people will be able to go to these places of worship without restrictions and without fear

Pray that the brothers and sisters will grow in calling people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and to repentance

Apart from pastoring and with the involvment of the Victoria church leadership, we partner with Mission Without Borders through which we have several projects: After School, Family-to-Family, and Child Rescue Int. /Local Baptist Comunity

Before the feast of the Resurrection in April as a church we shared the Gospel, we discussed the purpose of the feast with parents and their children. (The Orthodox Church is the established church in Romania.) We explained the truth of the Gospel and consequences of the embracing or rejecting the Gospel. We sang, we prayed and gifts were shared.

Other Projects:

Spring brings the agricultural project. We work with eight families, helping them to learn successive growing techniques to grow vegetables. What they produce belongs to them, and after four years they receive a fully equipped solarium to continue what they have learned.

The After School Project:

Five days a week we are involved in preparing hot food for needy families. We seek to encourage them and support them emotionally. We want to be an authentic model for what it means to be a Christian. We are involved with all that we are and have, desiring to be obedient to God according to "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35) God has led my life in such a way as to teach me to “Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15) We currently provide daily food to 35 children through this project.

Pray that the lives of children and parents will be impacted by God through this ministry

Pray that the Lord will bless those who give and sacrifice so that His purposes are accomplished

I began a study group of six men, including one who is not a member of the Victoria church, my son Timothy, and the others are brothers. I have entrusted the work to my son-in-law, to encourage his desire to develop ministry in his life. I am a participant. This is actually a prototype out of which we hope to have a pattern for small group study to offer PIEI missionaries. Some of the brothers from PIEI took the training with me offered by Choose Life! The study, called Ascension, considers the call to be a brave man.

Pray that our lives will be transformed by the Word studied

Pray that relationships between fathers and children will be in accordance with Scripture

Pray that every man will be responsible and fulfill the mandate entrusted to him by God

Pray that the sons will find in their fathers the biblical model of manhood and the necessary support in the maturation process

Regarding the family: We want to be in the will of God in who we are and in what we do for which we thank the Lord. My son, Timothy, at the age of 17 has turned to the Lord. I had the joy of kneeling with him and praying. He to be forgiven and saved by the Lord Jesus, and I to thank God for answering prayer. Thank you everyone who prayed for his salvation.

Yours in the Lord Jesus,

Timotei Stanea – PIEI National Director

Missionaries Gather Together

After almost a year, the PIEI missionaries all managed to meet together at the PIEI Christian Center in Romania safely. It was a blessed time, especially as those have been less frequent lately.

Brother Eugen Ștef, the president of PIEI Romania, welcomed us all with words of joy and warmth. Brother Emanuel Joldos led us in a time of prayer using Psalm 68. Our prayers came from the sincere hearts of those who love the Lord and serve him in the field of the gospel. We had prayers of thanks and requests for a blessing over the workers involved with PIEI.

We studied how the Lord calls people to Him and also calls them to service. We took turns telling how each of us was called to the work. During the free discussions we shared opinions and experiences, each contributing to the building of the soul. I ended on my knees in prayer asking for the Lord's help over everyone, divine protection and open doors for the gospel.

On Saturday morning we met and prayed before the Lord for help. Brother Tani led the prayer and urged us to follow the Prayer of Jabez. The time that followed was dedicated to hearing information from Brother Jenu about the smooth running of things and the responsibility of each role. The final discussions with Marian Zamostean were also held, who was officially accepted as an administrator of the PIE website.

Pray that each missionary will know his calling to work. Let each one work according to what God has entrusted to him. Let every missionary be found faithful. I have included (at the bottom) some prayer requests from our missionaries.

We will be studying the characteristics of a man of God. Pray that each missionary will be willing to evaluate himself in terms of what the Scriptures say about character. Let the missionaries have the character that God wants, and if not, let this come to light. Pray for the opportunity for a new meeting of the missionaries with their families.

The Lord be with you!

Timothy Stanea – PIEI Romania National Director

Prayer Requests from the Missionaries

-for two orphanages in Abrud

-for Ciprian and Ana, a young family from Sohodol that is sick

-for the Brazest mission point

-Prayer for the meeting with the young people from the sports field

-For the mission work from Albac (we don't have believers here yet - we meet in the houses of those who receive us)

-prayer for the wife of brother Joseph, who is ill. She is not a believer either!

-For the Word sown with women’s ministry and also evangelization on the street. May the Lord make Him fruitful.

-For the work with children, let the Lord bring as many children as possible.

-We need a minibus with 9 seats at the church. We have some money but not enough. May the Lord make up the difference and help us find a good sturdy one.

-New opportunities to create new jobs

-Children and women who hear the gospel, may the Lord give them their saving faith

-Let our children grow up with the fear and love of the Lord

-For the people who were at the funeral of Liviu from C. De Arges and heard the WORD OF GOD. Let faith in the Savior be born.

-For Traian’s wife, who has Alzheimer’s.

-For our first funeral in Nenciulesti where we took over this month.

-For workers to bring the Lord to the harvest

-The salvation of those to whom the Gospel is preached

Full Days Pastoring & Becoming PIEI's National Director

As you may recall I am the pastor at the Holy Trinity Baptist Christian Church in Victoria. During these last months of the pandemic the church  meets every evening via Zoom for prayer. We have suspended worship services on Thursday and Sunday aftenoons. Instead we meet every evening to pray, thanking God and making requests and means for our brothers and sisters from all over the world. We include fellow PIEI missionaries, their families, their existing churches and the newly established community outreach locations. We feel useful in the Lord's work not only locally and surrounding areas, but also in God's work throughout the world.

Acts 15:36 says: “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord with many others.” Last week I completed my first goal as PIEI's national director to visit Mihail Geabou and family. https://www.piei.org/mihail-geabou-updates I visited brother Cuc Gabriel and two brothers from the church in which he serves.https://www.piei.org/romanian-pages/cuc-gavrila On the way home I visited brother Liviu Costea from Craiova. We discussed the construction completion of the Craiova church!

Three to four hours Monday though Thursday evenings last week I participated in a seminar on Religious Freedom. About 80 Orthodox Church priests enrolled and some Baptist pastors, too. The concerns consisted  not only about the information provided, which were related to politics, legal media … but also the formation of a community to promote public policies aimed at religious freedom. It was a pleasure to take part in this seminar, receiving personal benefit as well as specialized information on this topic for the brothers. Also keeping in mind 1Thessalonians 5:21: “Test all things; hold fast what is good.”

I am thankful for the family that supports me in the ministry to which I have been called. My children and their wives are believers, too.

PRAYER REQUESTS

• For the salvation of my son, Timothy, who is 17 years old. My wish and prayer is for the Lord to have mercy on him as well.

• Working with PIEI missionaries: new applications; spiritual support to build and grow them in their likeness to the Lord Jesus; open doors for them to preach the Gospel; protection for them and their families and homes.

Timothy Stanea – PIEI Romania National Director

Returning to PIEI as the new National Director

You may not know this, but I was the first PIEI missionary in Romania. Right after the revolution and the fall of the Romanian dictator Ceausescu, God put it in my heart to plant a church in the city of Victoria. There were no churches in that city, not even Orthodox churches, because Ceausescu’s wife Elena declared that there would never be a church there. However, by the grace of God I worked with PIEI to build a church in that very city! I’m so excited now to be coming back to PIEI as the new National Director of PIEI-Romania.

My first goal is to get to know PIEI-Romania as it is now. I do not want to create a vision that doesn’t work with what PIEI already has in place, so I have been spending all my time with the people and missionaries involved in PIEI to learn all about what we are already doing. I am determined to get to know our national missionaries, go to their homes, spend time with them, get to know their families, and learn their visions. I want to know their mission areas, the villages and locations they serve, the strengths and weaknesses in those villages, and their plans for 2021. Once I get an idea of what each missionary is doing, experiencing, and is in need of, I can then begin to envision what direction PIEI-Romania as a whole needs to go in for the future.

One incredible tool that PIEI-Romania has been blessed with is the Youth Center in Alba, so I would like to explore its potential to use it to the fullest. I would love to use it to meet with Pastors and other church leaders, creating relationships with all the churches in Alba and surrounding areas and allowing them to do their own ministry there, as well collaborating with them for some events. It is also a great location for the youth for sports, activities, Bible Studies, discipleship, and more.

Even through this Pandemic, I would like to see how we can use the internet to do ministry right now. For example, we are exploring the possibility of Gabi Stef leading an online women’s Bible Study right from the States.

A little while ago I had the chance to go to the south and spend time with some of our missionaries there. I spent a lot of time with Eugen Stef, Emanuel Joldos, Mihai Geabou, Florina Darvell, Moldoveanu Cornel, Cuc Gavrilă, and Marian Leonad. Yesterday I went to the Apuseni Mountains north of Alba to meet with Florin Botar, Relu Rodean, and Daniel Petrut to learn more about them and their ministry as well.

I am excited about this new role that God has given me, and I pray that God can use me to further promote the Gospel of Christ in the country of Romania.

Timotei Stanea, PIEI-Romania National Director