A Lofter's Life: History Makers in Romania

Hi gang, Uncle Bob here. I will be scribbling about my ILI History Maker's (see www.history-makers.org for details) adventure to Sibiu, Romania in July 2008 over five blog posts.

First, thanks again church (www.twumc.org and www.loftchurch.com) to allowing me to go and receive this blessing! I am committed to "finding out where God is moving, and joining him there" as our friend Henry Blackaby challenges us.

Beginnings....I was met by Nistor Popa at the airport after almost 20 hours getting to Sibiu from Houston. Nistor and I were to become fast friends in the Lord over the next two days. His testimony and his life (truly living a life of purpose) is awe inspiring.

Copy of Picture or Video HM2 007

Just a few highlights...Nistor is 27, engaged to be married (I don't understand how he has the time) and a Baptist Seminary Grad. Let me see if I can remember all of his ministries: pastors two churches part-time (about 160 average attendance each) in the Sibiu area. Both are rural churches about 20 km from Sibiu itself; he is responsible for the young adult study at Zion Baptist Church (not his church), an adult study group meeting at another church and is also "full-time" at the Christian Center, a relief agency in Sibiu, to boot. I couldn't keep up....

God is moving in his heart...he is fully devoted to Kingdom work and there is much to be done in his Jerusalem. Sibiu, the 2007 Cultural Capital of Europe, has about a 175,000 population. Officially all of Romania is about 85% Orthodox (mostly by tradition); Jesus followers tell me there are about 3.7% Romanians of 20 million population are classified as evangelical; currently there are about 1,500 to 1,700 in Sibiu---primarily Baptist, Brethren or Pentecostal---that's about 1%.

So why is Nistor Popa a History Maker---one who is committed to "His Story Maker" (Jesus Christ) be known to all? Many reasons...I'll share one this time.

Nistor has mobilized his 25-30 young adults to meet five days a week at 6:45 am before work, school or whatever to meet him in the Old Town Square for prayer and worship as their witness to their Jerusalem. No wonder men in his two churches are fasting three days a week (water only for the entire day) for their pastor.

Desired outcome? Nistor and his gang of believers want to see 1,500 added to the Kingdom by the end of 2009----that's right...to double the number of Kingdom people in Sibiu.

Friends, let's pray for Nistor; for his upcoming marriage (he asked me to pray specifically for him and his fiance), his ministry...his mission---for he is already a History Maker in my book.