by Greg Mundis

Three instead of Two

The church we were visiting was in a small village of around 10,000 people. The building had been built and recently dedicated in December 2007. Just a few short days ago, in mid-January, a water baptismal service, their very first, was being conducted.

This all may seem relatively normal to you. But this story has a twist to it in that this church building was built by various congregations meeting in homes and storefronts from around this village in the country of Romania. This Pentecostal church is a tremendous landmark of what God is doing in this particular country.

The Pentecostal Union had approximately 700 churches in 1989 when Romania obtained its freedom. Nineteen years later they have close to 2600 churches. There is a church-planting culture in Romania—particularly in the western and northern sides of the country.

The church, celebrating their first water baptism, was absolutely packed. If 300 people could fit in the church, I could comfortably state that 350 individuals filled the church that day.

The 13 baptismal candidates wore white clothes and were easy to identify. The camera flashes were blinding. The video cameras were recording the worship service, testimonies, and preaching.

We were there to celebrate and to minister. Kevin Beery, Assemblies of God World Missions Southeastern Europe area director, gave greetings and played his saxophone. Missionary to Romania, Rick Cunningham, gave a timely word. I was asked to preach. After the preaching the lead pastor gave an exhortation about the significance of water baptism and the candidates moved toward the baptismal tank.

The whole church was moved when a mother and her 20 something son descended into the tank together. They had both found the Lord and were going to experience a simultaneous baptism. The pastor addressed the young man and asked him if he had a wish for his baptism. There was a long pause. The son responded that his only request was that his father would come to faith in Christ and join them in the baptismal tank. 

Some people began to weep. Others were visibly moved at the request from this young man. All eyes were on the son and his mother as the pastor and his assistant were preparing to baptize them. At that moment, a man walked up the aisle. We noticed him as he drew near the tank. Many thoughts raced through my mind. Is he trying to interrupt this event? Will the pastor call for the ushers? What in the world is going on?

The man took a microphone and identified himself as the boy’s father and woman’s husband. He said it was not right that his family was confessing their faith in Christ and he, as head of the house, was not in the tank with them. He then confessed his sins, asked Christ into his heart, and asked the pastor if he, too, could be baptized. 

People were weeping, crying, laughing, and rejoicing as this transpired. The man got into the baptismal tank in his street clothes and all three were baptized. There was great joy in heaven that day, as well as in that church service.

The church is growing in an exponential way in Romania. The believers pray without ceasing. They share their faith. The pastors preach the word of God. The sovereign Lord does His work in His way for His purposes. It is a time of revival and renewal in this country. May this work continue and may it touch the rest of Europe and North America.

Sincerely,

Greg Mundis
AGWM Europe Regional Director

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