𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬,
First and foremost, I want to thank all of you for your friendship and the love you have shown to me, my family, and the calling God has given me in Sibiu.
After more than 11 years of service in the city of Sibiu and a few more years of service in Romania, I knew some years ago that a new chapter awaited my family. Considering that this new chapter involves God’s calling, we were willing to wait for the right time for this change to occur. In all this waiting time, we didn’t give up on tirelessly working in God’s mission in Sibiu. Here, in recent years, we have managed to build a movement around the Lumina din Lumina church, a transformative movement that has resulted in the establishment of centers for children and youth, two children’s homes, assistance for refugees’ education, and humanitarian aid that has impacted the lives of thousands. Most importantly, many people have found reconciliation and heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our church has grown more than ever, and investing in leaders and delegating responsibilities has been a priority for us.
Today, we have a community of strong believers, people of prayer, people who share the Word, and spread the Word. We are grateful that what was once a church plant project has turned into a movement.
I can say that now is the best time for me to step back because I have seen how God is at work and will continue to work through those who remain. Even though I worked with the United Methodist Church from its founding years in Romania and worked for its establishment, I have come to the conclusion that my calling is tied to the Global Methodist Church. Furthermore, I will remain involved in the mission of the church wherever God sends me and will continue to support people and help churches in need, especially those facing persecution.
My family will have to relocate to South Carolina, where I will serve in a Global Methodist Church and remain faithful to God’s mission, being part of the Great Commission. Over the past 17 years, we had the opportunity to move to America because my wife’s large family lives there. Although we received invitations from others to relocate to the US, we didn’t feel it was the right time for us. However, circumstances changed, and we had to make this decision in obedience to God’s calling.
This decision is made with a heavy heart, as we leave behind family, close friends, loved ones, and hardest of all, the children we supported in the children’s home who are like our own…
There have been many days of sorrow in this goodbye moment, but I am encouraged that, by God’s grace, we have brought people around them who love them greatly and stand by them every step of the way.
Of course, I will maintain contact with them and with loved ones, and I believe technology will help our relationship continue. It is good that during the years we formed leaders who will lead the project successfully.
What can I say, dear people who have supported us in Sibiu, Romania? Keep doing what you’re doing, stay connected with the new leadership and the new team members. The children’s home will be under the spiritual supervision of Pastor Sorin and under the leadership of a family, Adda and her husband Emanuel. The youth ministry and women’s ministry will go further through Sarah F, who is an educator and student in theology.
In conclusion, thank you for everything, and I hope to see you on various occasions and in various places. God raises faithful workers in Romania, and God will work with power.
With love,
Cristian Istrate