Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. – Hebrews 13:3

For decades, Christians in Moldova faced severe persecution from the soviet government.  Our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ were harassed, fined, arrested, sentenced to prison, and even killed for their faith.  Believers from different denominations paid a price for following Jesus Christ and for bringing their children to church services.  Today we experience partial freedom in our country, but at the same time, we remember it was not always this way.  We also know brothers and sisters in other countries who are facing persecution.

Cupcini Day of Prayer for Persecuted Church

Our family was one of many who went through persecution during these times.  One instance, the soviet government brought my uncle to the center of the city and intentionally ran over him with a truck killing him.  Another time, schoolteachers came to our home and yelled at my parents for hours just because they took my two brothers and me to church.  Another time, doctors at the hospital would not provide treatment for me because I was a child of a preacher.

This past Sunday, joining with churches worldwide, all of our churches dedicated our Sunday morning service to pray for the persecuted churches in today’s world.  We began all of our church services with worship songs and prayer.  After reporting on the persecution in other countries, everyone formed teams of three to four people and prayed for each country where our brothers and sisters are currently undergoing persecution for the beliefs in Jesus Christ.

World map presentation at the Day of prayer for persecuted church

As suggested by the World Evangelical Alliance, we also prayed for other religions in countries where Christians are currently suffering religious persecution.  We prayed for the Muslim world in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Algeria, and for communist countries such as China, North Korea, Vietnam, and Turkmenistan.  We included Buddhist countries, Burma and Sri Lanka and Hindu countries, Nepal and India.  We also prayed for countries such as Ethiopia, The Philippines, Columbia, and Mexico, where Christians are persecuted for reasons other than religious beliefs.  It was an eye opening experience to actually hear personal testimonies from our church members who been to many of these countries.

We also prayed for the part of Moldova called Transnistria.  The Russian 14^th Army currently controls this area and has attempted to declare a separate new state, but has not been successful.  No other country officially recognizes this area as independent from Moldova.  However, the communist regime is in power there and Christians are not free to share their faith with others.  Please pray with us for this small area of our country that needs the Gospel proclaimed.

Day of Prayer for persecuted Church, Balti City Church of Hope

Most people listened to the report with a notebook and pen in hand.  Now, with people in their home Bible study groups, they will share and pray for persecuted believers around the world.  Therefore, prayer does not stop at the end of Sunday church service, but it continues.  It was a day filled with more prayer than usual during our Sunday morning church services, but it was a great blessing and was very helpful to everybody who attended.

We pray for those all around the world who are suffering persecution.  These are God’s precious children.  We ask that God touches every one of them in a very special way and will pour His peace into their hearts.

That is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.   Romans 1:12

Briceni meeting at the Music School

As we have partnered with the Youth With A Mission organization for several years, God continues to give us new ministry opportunities in the cities where we currently work, as well as in new cities and villages. This year we hosted a YWAM team from Norway that visited us from May 21-24.

Not having previously met, it was fun finding each other at the International Airport in Chisinau.  After some time, we found each other and drove to Northern Moldova where ministry opportunities were planned for the coming weekend.  Together in a van, we got to know each other, share testimonies and ministry stories from our churches.  We were ready to go as one and preach the Word of God to the people of Moldova.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.                                              Ephesians 6:18

Praying for Romania in Costesti city

As we were approaching Cupcini, our hometown, we made a left turn toward the Western Moldovan border with Romania and stopped in the city of Costesti, which is situated right on the border with Romania.  In the center of the city we went to a small hill, where for one hour we prayed for Romania and for Christians in this neighboring country.  We could actually see Romania on other side of the Prut River, which is the border between the two countries.  After worshipping God through song and prayer, we thanked Him for the believers in Romania, asked Him for more churches to be planted and more people to be saved in this country.

Fetesti outreach meeting

Ministry in Northern Moldova included home church services in the villages of Fetesti, Parcova and in cities of Cupcini, Balti and Briceni.  We were blessed to see new faces at every service that came to hear the Word of God.  In the Village of Parcova, we met under a small roof in brother Vasile’s yard, where many children and adults came. In the Village of Fetesti, we met in a home, around a ping-pong table, where neighbors and relatives joined us in the meeting.  In the city of Briceni, we had our service at the local music school where we began with a concert.  In the city of Balti, we had our prayer meeting on the second floor of a bank.  And in Cupcini, we met at the church building.  The most requested song was a Norwegian song, which is well known worldwide.  “Blessed Assurance” is sung in dozens of languages in today’s churches all around the world, and our brothers sang it in their native language.

When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith.     Acts 14:27

Balti church meeting

Everywhere we went the Word of God was proclaimed, testimonies of God’s work in our lives were presented, and prayers for the country of Moldova and for personal needs were given.  As it was the first team we ever hosted from Norway, it was very insightful and encouraging to hear about the church in Norway and about their stand for God.

We thank God for the partnership He built for us with the Youth With A Mission organization.  We pray God will allow us to partner with them again in the future, for His Glory and for the salvation of new souls!