Romania Missions

Here is a little information about the Country of Romania and their religions:
* Baltic state located in Eastern Europe
* Borders Hungary, Ukraine, Moldova & Turkey
* 91,725 square miles (approximately the size of Oregon)
* Population 22,303,552 (July 2006 est.) 
* Formerly a communist dictatorship under deposed President Nicolae Ceausescu. Now a representative democracy.
* EU membership granted in 2007
Religions:
* 87% Eastern Orthodox
* 8% Protestant
* 5% Roman Catholic & Other
In May of 2007, Crestview Baptist Church responded to our Lord's call and sent 16 people to Romania to help spread the gospel. This is the third consecutive year we've sent a mission team to Romania and each year we form stronger partnerships with our Romanian brothers and sisters, and more people get to hear about Jesus as a result. This year's trip took us to the southern part of Romania to a city called Constanta where we worshiped and preached in the Holy Trinity Baptist Church and taught English in the High School. While we stayed in Constanta, most of our mission work was in a smaller village called Poarta Alba where we held Vacation Bible School in the park each day, conducted a soccer tournament and taught English in the elementary school.   

Through the above mentioned ministries, we were able to distribute over 200 Bibles, 400 Bible Tracts, 150 Christian T-shirts, 100 soccer balls for the young folks of Romania and share the gospel in the process. It was clear to all participating in the mission that our Lord Jesus was there with us as many young people made professions of faith. Praise the Lord! While many did choose to follow Jesus during this trip, we did meet spiritual opposition from the Eastern Orthodox church and priests as they took Bibles away from children and told them "we were from the devil" (click on the picture button to see the priest gathering the children to take their Bibles). Would you please join us in praying for these priests that God would soften their hearts so they can help us spread the love of Jesus? Please also pray for the children and the people of Poarta Alba as we band together with them to help build a new church where they can worship without fear of persecution. We have already started this process and partnership by donating an additional 100 Bibles for the new church. We will keep you posted regarding future needs of this church start in Poarta Alba.

In addition, Crestview and it's gracious members have already sponsored two scholarships to Emanuel University of Oradea, which is a Christian University working to produce strong Christian leaders in Romania. We are also supporting a pastor, two young orphan girls and have plans to extend the grace of God in many other ways. Please join us in prayer for this ministry. Also, please contact Greg Knight via email at pattiandgreg@suddenlink.net if you want to hear more and be sure to let us know if you want to come alongside us in this ministry.

A mission trip for 2008 is already in the early planning stages, so get in touch with us if you feel the Lord leading you to participate.