Romania, I love you already!

So we've officially been here in Craiova for a week (most of our squad has been here for longer). 

In the mere few days we've been here, I am already absolutely loving our ministry (Hope Church Craiova), our hosts, and our call here. 

We are located in the heart of the city of Craiova—just my style—where I can practice evangelism through relationship-building within the community—from coffee shops, to restaurants, to bakeries and shops, to church families, to the parks, and to the streets!  (There are new people to meet everywhere here, and they have been so kind to me!)

Our hosts, Raul and Ana, are absolutely amazing!  They are really intentional with getting to know us through asking hard, thought-provoking questions, and they give us lots of practical ministry homework to prepare us for the field.  The biggest and best part: Hope Church's ministry action—this ministry is hands-on, bold, and moving. 

We have already served in ministry through evangelism every day here, which is incredible. 

My Ministry 

As you can imagine, I've already made friends here (friends whom you can pray for): with my favorite local coffee shop employees (Iulia, Laura, Natalia, and Robert) and with the owner (Andrei), with our favorite grocery shop employee, with a small business owner (Basil) and staff member (Alexa), and with a kind woman I met today (Duana).  Please pray that I might have the opportunity to share the Gospel with them in my time here and that they would receive it. 

Hope Church Ministry 

Yesterday, we divided into different groups to serve in the community: Craiova evangelism, nearby village evangelism, youth ministry, children's ministry, Gypsy community service, etc.  

I had the opportunity to serve in village evangelism.  I know—without a doubt—that is exactly where I was meant to be.  It was my favorite day of ministry thus far on the World Race.  Here's why:

I was able to practice evangelism in the form of sharing the Gospel with people through rapid relationship-building paired with segways into talking about Jesus and asking questions about faith.

Praise Jesus that more people get to hear the simple Gospel. 

The simple Gospel is this: 

Jesus, the son of God—performing miracles, healing people, and casting away demons in his time on earth—died for the atonement of the sins of the world. (John 3:16)

Though tempted in every way, he was without sin.  (Hebrews 9:14)

(This is why his payment in death on the cross was enough for the sins of the world—because he was holy and spotless.)

Then, he conquered death and was resurrected, as prophesied in the old testament. (Isaiah 25:7-8)

If we accept Jesus as Lord and savior, turn from sin and follow him, we are saved by his grace, and we are able to communicate with God directly through the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

This is the Gospel.  This is why we could never earn the love of God or our salvation.  We can only accept the free gift from God which has already been paid: the gift of salvation in Jesus.  

This is why Christianity is the only religion that is grace-centered, not works-centered.

"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:2

Our debt is settled if we have asked Jesus into our hearts and accepted Him as our Lord and savior. 

"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Since getting to Craiova, I've been really reminded of our purpose in the Kingdom: We are called to boldly share the Gospel with the world.  I encourage you to do so!  Be ready and unafraid; Jesus is with you.  He wants you to speak His Truth to the people of the world. 

Who can you share the simple Gospel with today?