From the Superintendent's DESK

Over two hundred people from thirteen branch locations in Romania gathered on Sunday, July 31, for the opening day of youth camp, which continued through Friday, August 5. In addition to Romania, attendees were also present from Austria, Germany, and the United States. Wayne Butler, who is a minister at our church in Port Angeles, Washington, was there representing the Portland headquarters. 

Brother Wayne reported that every day was blessed with two services that included beautiful music, zealous singing, and wonderful prayer meetings. However, the highlight for him was seeing Nicu Cretu of Gottlob preach on Wednesday evening. This is because he remembers Brother Nicu as a child running around at the very first camp meeting in Romania. Now he was preaching on not missing today’s opportunity to answer God’s call.

As the youth camp was coming to a close, many were thankful for receiving their deeper experiences while others testified to being healed.  

Following the youth camp, Brother Wayne continued in Romania and was at the headquarters church in Zadareni on Sunday morning. The service started with a time of prayer and included several Scripture readings, congregational songs, and music specials. The focus of the message was “The Presence of the Lord” with text from Exodus 33:18 where Moses asked God to “shew me thy glory.” A great prayer meeting followed.

In the evening, a water baptismal service was held at our Tera Mia Mica location. Many people attended, filling the church main floor, balcony, and entryway. The congregational singing was enthusiastic, rejoicing in the Lord for the three candidates who testified. They were a young lady named Melisa, and a married couple named Nicoli and Maria who are in their late seventies. These two had been attending the church since 1993, and everyone was so thankful that they had recently prayed and were saved. A sermon was given from Matthew 3 on “The Baptism of Jesus” and then the three candidates followed Jesus’ example. It was an exciting and special time.

Brother Wayne is enjoying his time with the saints in Romania and is scheduled to return home on August 16.