Over the last couple of months some significant things happen here in Romania. One of the most prominent things is that the Lord has helped us develop a new vision for the church here in Bucharest. This all happened because the leadership of the church has been convicted for sometime about how to challenge the church to be more proactive in its role to more effectively reach out with the gospel to the community around us. It was with that in mind that we recently gathered together for a planning meeting to put in place a plan and structure to accomplish this in the days to come.
IBC Ministry Team Meeting
In our time together two primary things were accomplished. First, we were able to develop a vision statement that we believe will assist the church as we move forward over the next few years. The vision statement is: "IBC seeks to realize what it would be like to be part of a culturally
diverse group of English speakers who say, culture is no barrier! We have been transformed by the love of
Christ and challenged by His heart for mankind.
We are young and old, married and single, students and professionals
from every corner of the world. We laugh
together, cry together, play together and serve together. Ultimately, our love for each other is expressed
by how we worship together. We work
together to empower the poor, strengthen the weak, help the outcast and reach
the lost. We are willing to link arms
with any who want to exalt the name of Christ and to risk it all to see culture
influenced and our God glorified." The second thing we were able to accomplish was to develop a structure of ministry that we believe we effectively accomplish the plan that was put in place.
The Ministry Structure We Have Chose To Focus On
Since our planning meeting I wanted to share with you some of the results. To start we knew that every member of the International Church needed to understand this new approach to our city and find their place of service to help accomplish the bigger plan as well. Therefore, just about every week since that Naty and I have been in town we have helped in conducting orientation meetings in our home to help orient and equip the body to engage in this new thrust to more directly serve and reach the lost of the city of Bucharest.
One of the recent meetings in our home to help the body
find their place of service in the church and the city
Since the last meeting we have even more exciting results to share as some in the body have made some important decisions in their lives personally. One young person from an African country began to question parts of his faith. As a result, this next month we will have the privilege to baptize him. Others who have never been involved in serving are now getting involved and outside organizations are now beginning to come to the church to ask us for our help. One such organization is directly working with women from the city who have tragically been caught up in the sex trade here in Europe. Another organization has been seeking our help to help care for the terminally ill here in the city. These are just a few examples. We are so excited about the new opportunities that God is bring our way to more effectively serve our community. We pray and ask you to pray for us as well that God will help us take advantage of each opportunity. Also, please pray that God will help us be able to use these new opportunities to build bridges into these peoples lives so that we might be able to share the gospel with them.
IBC Welcome Back Barbecue 2012
Recently the church celebrated its annual 'Welcome Back Barbecue' for the members of the church who have been away during the summer months. This has proven to be a great time for the church to invite friends and colleagues who have never attended the church before. Many came and joined us for the the barbecue and we were excited to get to know each person who visited that day. We ask you to pray for the church we move into this new school year.
Naty and I with the Niblett family
On a more personal note, Naty and I were asked recently if we were willing to be the godparents for the daughter of a family who was an important part of IBC for several years. James and Naomi Niblett were members at IBC for the time that they lived in Bucharest. Recently they had their third child. They have three children Daniel, Esther and Miriam. Miriam was born a year and a half ago and they asked us if we would be willing to take a special spiritual interest in her life. We were humbled by the the request. Now as a result, we are excited to be able to keep up our friendship with the family as we will have the opportunity to build spiritually into little Miriam's life over the years.
Naty with her father after surgery in Italy
Many of you have been praying for Naty's dad and his recovery from the liver transplant he went through about through months back. We are thankful to be able to report to you that he is making consistent progress in his recovery. He and Naty's mother are now currently living in an apartment near that hospital. They will be there for the foreseeable future as the doctors still want to keep on eye on his recovery. This is a little challenging for them as it is costing them approximately 1,000 euro a month to stay there. So please continue to keep him in your prayers. Pray that he will recover completely and that every need that they have financially will be met.
Last, we want to take a moment to thank you. We realize that we live in difficult times for so many and we are certain that many of you have made some big sacrifices to help assist the work that God has called us too. We may never be able to fully thank you for these sacrifices. Therefore, we want to let you know that each of you are in our prayers. We pray that even during these difficult times that you will know the continued blessings of the Lord. We pray that your every need will be met and that your heart will rejoice with the knowledge of knowing just how God is using you and your gifts in the countries of Romania and Moldova. "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
