Barnabas Bridge, Tuesday August 12 2014

Our first Romanian ministry experience was in the city of Bacau, at Biserica Sfanta Treime (Church Holy Trinity) with pastor Marian Paduret. He was able to gather pastors, leaders, young adults and missionaries from around the region for periodic educational gatherings on a Saturday, Barnabas Seminars. Sometimes Marian would teach, and sometimes he would invite international guests to lead the day-long seminars. Doug was honored to be asked to teach a few times, and on two occasions was able to bring colleagues. Patrick Voo focused on “The church and post-modernism” and Cathy McMulkin presented on “Spiritual Formation”. The Sunday following the seminar day, allowed for opportunities to preach either in Bacau or at a church in another community – and we were busy ministering Sunday morning, afternoon and evening. Over the first two years of our Romanian mission trips, 2010-2012, Doug was able to get to know a half dozen churches and communities this way. Since then Pastor Marian was able to connect with some enthusiastic and generous American church partners to initiate a bold and effective mission expansion into Bacau and also the Republic of Moldova. You can see more of ValoarePlus (Values Plus) in one of the links below. I believe there are still some Barnabas Seminars from time to time. Pastor Paduret is well educated, has incredible energy and vision, and is able to accomplish much for the Lord. He has planted three churches, and I am sure there will be more to come. In this region dominated by the Orthodox Church, and in a climate of despair and hopelessness, there are many individuals seeking the assurance, peace, joy and purpose that can be found in yielding to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Valoare plus has resulted in effective Gospel outreach into the educational and business community of Bacau. While Barnabas Bridge has branched out to connect with many other churches and ministries in other areas of Romania, and while the Barnabas Seminars have not been part of our recent experience/emphasis, the Barnabas Seminars, Pastor Marian Paduret, his family, and all of the people at his church, continue to hold a big part of our hearts when it comes to Romanian memories. God bless them! One of the goals of Barnabas Bridge is to take the Barnabas Seminar model into the more isolated areas of Romania to provide ongoing education and training. A special Bacau memory is the Sunday evening that Yvonne spent a few hours speaking and fellowshipping with the sisters. You can see the picture below and find her message on the Barnabas Bridge blog. Pray for the Paduret family, and all aspects of their ministry.