Hi gang...this is Part II of my trip to Romania in July 2008. I wanted to jot a few scribbles about the HM leadership I met. In future "A Lofter's Life blogs, I'll take more time exploring each of these History Makers life and ministry.....for now.
Mark Williamson, London, England. Mark is the visionary behind HM and co-director of History Makers for ILI. When he isn't off leading History Makers conferences around the world (now in 20 countries and growing), he's part of the leadership team building a new generation Methodist church called Cafe Church located in the Raynes Park area of London; Mark is also a Worship Leader and way too good looking for his own good; I usually keep his pics sideways just to keep him in line.
Meet Ionut Corlan and Petry Groza History Maker's co-National Leaders for Romania. HM will be holding their fourth HM conference in September; they are trying to secure funding for three more HM conferences next year. Ionut's vision is to have 200 HM'ers in place, trained and beginning to multiple by the end of 2009. AMEN.
Ionut is founder/Pastor of Smirna Fellowship in Drobeta Tumu Severin, Romania, and President of Vista Ministries, a youth evangelistic ministry in partnership with Christ The Rock Community Church. See more about Ionut's ministry at Foundation Vista; in addition to the church plant, Ionut provides skill programs for older orphans, children’s ministry, humanitarian projects and discipleship; by the way he is coordinating a Living Water International water well project due to start soon in his area. Interested in going to share Christ with the team?
Petry is Ionut's "partner-in-crime" for Romania. Their connection with Christ The Rock Community Church runs deep as the church is also involved with Petry's ministry Horizon of Hope. He leads the music and is involved with the children's and youth ministry along with his much better half, Kyle, at Bethany Baptist Church in Fagaras, Romania. A number of the young adults I met came from BBC with Petry for the conference. Much of Petry and Kyle's time is spent with children of area villages teaching them about God's love. Kyle also spent time teaching in Garland, Texas.
Another connection....both Ionut and Petry "better halves" are "cheese heads" from Wisconsin. oh boy.....
Ionut Corlan and his SUV....it was a wild ride through the mountains!
Petry is not to be overdone...after all Fagaras, in the Transylvania region, links to Romania from the 13th century, I didn't want to scare you with his Count Dracula pose.
Finally, meet Scott Dunn. Scott is the most recent member of the HM team in Romania. The Dunn family (Scott and Paula and two children) are serving Christ in Romania via Free Methodist World Missions in Arad, Romania. Their web site is www.thedunnsinromania.org. Be sure to visit his web site; it is impressive; The Dunns are connected with the Partners is Missions ministry.
Scott (an Asbury Seminary Graduate) is a super guy and we hit it off right away with the same "church plant" speak and he became a Lofter when I was there. Based in Arad, Scott is providing leadership and mentoring support to Emmanuel Church-Arad and the Free Methodist missions efforts in Romania, Hungary and Slovakia called Carpathian ministries. As is the case for many pastors and ministry leaders, Scott also assists orphans and children and youth in Arad. Scott led the HM session on the family core value.
Dunn's official picture is far too good; I chose the "needing a shave" pic pose while he was teaching "family."
Finally, what did I do you ask? Besides helping pick up after the meals (most of the above did not always help :), I found time to lead sessions on biblical leadership, cultural relevant evangelism (Loft style and second generation church), spiritual gifts, the core value of integrity (as the oldest by far in the group led the session on "Finishing Well") and the spiritual discipline of meditation. I think they got their money's worth....:)
Again, thanks again Church for supporting History Makers and the opportunity to serve along side some great examples of His Story Makers making a difference in post-Christian Europe. This picture of me was taken on Friday, July 25th, when the crew surprised me with a Birthday cake and song...I turned 39 again.
Selah---until the next installment. Uncle Bob - out.
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