A year ago today (October 26) I had the privilege of preaching in the Bethel Baptist Church of Chisinau, Moldova. I spent some time looking at the pictures I took and watched a little video clip of my preaching in this historic Baptist Church with my translator. I will always be grateful for that moving experience.
For those who do not know, Moldova is a small country located next to Romania. An organization called the Future Leadership Foundation asked me to be a part of a three person team to provide a training retreat for leaders of the Moldovan Baptist Union. It was a tremendous experience and I appreciate the work of the Future Leadership Foundation as they partner with Christian leaders in former Soviet Union countries to encourage those leaders in their growth and service. I was honored and humbled by the experience – I don’t know how much those leaders were encouraged by me, but I know I was by them.
One of the leaders in Moldova is named Peter. The church I pastor, First Baptist Church of Rolla, Missouri, not only paid my way but helped fund the retreat for Peter. We have kept up with each other from time to time through email, and recently I received an email from Peter stating he was in the United States in a place called Georgia, and he wondered if Rolla was close enough to drive over to see him. I wish it was – when Peter writes about God’s work in the church he pastors, I am in awe. The challenges are great, the country’s opposition fierce, and yet Peter and his church family remain focused on sharing Jesus with all they meet. I realize how complicated things can get for me at times, how comfortable and convenient things are for American Christians, and how easy it is for American churches to lose sight of what really matters. Peter’s emails always help me regain my focus.
Rolla is a long way from the state of Georgia, and even farther from the country of Moldova. But Peter and I always promise each other we will do something that the distance can not stop – we promise to pray for each other. God’s unlimited reach, that is how I once heard prayer defined – I am so glad God is not hindered by the distance.
Bob, I am so grateful you were on the team. God decided who would go, and He chose you and the other members. I return to beautiful Chisinau shortly on behalf of FLF and will see how well we did last year with the teaching and encouraging. We will pray for Peter and his wife, who has cancer and was not able to come to the retreat. Our hearts struggle with all Moldovan Christian leaders as they now emerge into a new political process. We will feel His reach to their lives and to ours. We are forever indebted to FBC, Rolla, for their gobal vision as well as their intense community ministry. We value your partnership....and grateful for your church's generosity in the Ukrainian coaching event coming in mid-November.
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