Moldova: Pastors Gathered, Hearts Encouraged

Mission Conference Offers Encouragement

Over two hundred pastors, church planters, and their wives gathered at the ministry center at Baltalta, just outside the Moldovan capital of Chisinau. March 27-29 for a nationwide missions conference. The theme was “Living Sent”. Four general sessions and three breakouts centered on our shared call to spread the gospel message. Brother Ion Miron, General Secretary of the Moldovan Baptist Union, was delighted with the turnout, and spirit of the conference. This was the first time in many years that pastors from across the country were able to gather for worship and encouragement.

Baptists on Mission sponsored the conference, and worked with Miron to craft a time that would be both inspirational and informational. Key to the event was simply time for pastors, who rarely have opportunity, to come together, and share what God is doing in their lives and ministries.

Brother Serghei shared, “This has been a great blessing to me and my wife. We enjoyed the fellowship with many brother ministers.”

General sessions included robust congregational singing, a missions “theme interpretation”, and a missions sermon. Richard Weeks, director of Charity Mission Camp, and BOM staff member Paul Langston each brought two mission sermons. Mark Abernathy, BOM staff member, did the theme interpretations. Sessions were also highlighted by a missions testimony by a Moldovan pastor or church planter, each sharing the unique ways that God is at work in their setting.

Breakout sessions offered practical information on involving church members in local missions, ministering in time of disaster, involving children in missions, and conducting a nationwide
ServeMoldova initiative. A great highlight of the breakout sessions was the sharing of so many ways churches are already engaging their people in missions outreach.

Brother Virgil shared, “I have been motivated to focus more on involving the church in practical ministry. I go home motivated, more encouraged and with a changed heart.”

Perhaps the greatest blessing of the weekend was the opportunity for the pastor’s wives to fellowship, something that very rarely happens. Tammy Weeks, Ministry Director for the Eastern Baptist Association, led three heart-felt sessions with these ladies. Smiles, laughs, tears, and hugs were plentiful!

Brother Ion sums up the tone of the conference perfectly, “Our desire and prayer is that Moldova will know God. Pastors are the ones who will lead the churches in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us raise up ministers who will be a model for the coming generations. We thank our partners who came alongside us to work toward this goal.”

The focus of Baptists on Mission’s partnership with the Moldovan Baptist Union is that of supporting church planting through strong Moldovan “mother churches”, that are led by visionary pastors, gospel-focused, and mission-hearted. Several have been partnered, and God is doing great things, but more partners are needed.

Pray about how you and your church can participate!