This phrase was shared with us many times by IN Romania this year.
Just as Paul in Romans 15:20 states, “It was always my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known.” This is exactly what is happening with IN workers in Romania.
INUS President Jeff Johnson saw this revival firsthand when he traveled to Romania.
Ion Serban of IN Romania remarked, “Those incarcerated were overjoyed to hear the story of the Savior’s birth.”
Christ’s love has been demonstrated through outreach to Ukrainian refugees. The Bread Project provides meals to Ukrainians while sharing the gospel, allowing them to experience and learn of Christ’s love – many of whom are learning of Christ for the very first time.
Numerous encounters with individuals who sought refuge from war revealed stories of profound physical loss and growing hopelessness as the war wages on after more than a year.
However, in this gloomy picture, Florin, an IN church planter, shares a powerful perspective. “There is still a glimmer of light as churches (for Ukrainian refugees) are more crowded, people are more interested in God, and many have come to salvation.”
Evangelism to the Roma (Gypsy) people has provided perhaps the most compelling picture of this mini-revival. The Roma are often ostracized by many Romanians. IN Romania’s evangelism efforts have seen thousands of Roma come to Christ.
The transformation is striking. Not only is there change in the hearts of the people, but evidence of the transforming power of the gospel has been seen in their villages. Crime has dramatically reduced, and a communal spirit towards one another is emerging. This transformation paints a powerful picture of the gospel for the watching eyes of other Romanian nonbelievers. Eternity is on full display in Romania, transforming hearts, minds, and lives!
