First, the satellite network originally scheduled to air the programs was taken off the air by the Romanian government. An alternative was found, but when severely cold weather hit during the first week of programming, the satellite uplink froze. They heated it with a 2000-watt light. The first night, the broadcast failed to air. The next night, moments before airtime, everything started to work, and “on a wing and a prayer,” the series began. One night the tape machine broke down. One minute before airtime, a replacement arrived from another city!

Soon after the series started we received this report from Adrian Bocaneanu, the Union President:

“Dear Jeff, I am sure you are anxious to receive news from the Romanian series. I have good news. The program is well appreciated. Nicu’s preaching is simple but creative, warm but challenging. The series is going to influence for long the Romanian preaching....

“The attendance is good and growing. On the opening night, based on reports from 411 churches, we had a total attendance of 30,000, including 8,900 non-Adventist people....

“The program is also seen in other countries in Romanian churches and companies. In Hancesti, a city in the Republic of Moldova, they have every night 15-20 visitors, but the series is also available on the cable TV network for about 2,000 families. In Madrid, Spain, the program attracts dozens of visitors. In Florence, Italy, they use the tapes we have sent. In Vienna, Austria, the Romanian Ambassador, a seasoned diplomat, attended one night and promised to return. In many other places the program is watched on the Internet, from Atlanta to Copenhagen, from Athens to Dublin.

“As we come closer to the series end, Bible studies through the Institute for Correspondence Bible Studies are introduced to the participants. Recently these studies have been made available on the Internet, also.”

We’ve heard exciting stories from many locations. One group held the series by using videotapes in their garage.

“There is neither church in our village, nor other places for our gatherings. Consequently, we hold our meetings in a garage. But that doesn’t hinder the people from coming. Although we started later with videotapes, there are many occasions when the guests outnumber the members. Our prayer is that this Gospel may bring fruits, and this garage may soon become a church!”

In some remote villages the satellite signal had a powerful effect:

“In one small village-church, besides the seven SDA members, there were more than 80 guests. The mayor himself participated regularly, encouraging his councilors to join him. In another village, the Baptists had just finished their own evangelization, and now they wanted to maintain the rhythm by coming to our NET, in spite of the considerable distance they had to travel.”

If you would like to hear Pastor Butoi’s personal account of the amazing things that happened while he spoke at different locations as the series was being transmitted, write or call Laymen Ministries and request Video #44, Romanian Net 2003.

Leading up to this event was the production and distribution of thousands and thousands of Pastor Butoi’s sermons on audio cassettes.

Laymen Ministries has bought a total of nine 1-to-3 high-speed duplicators so far. One in Romania was replaced recently, as it was completely worn out from continued use! The tapes have spread from Germany to Los Angeles. Even some Pentecostal churches are using the audiotapes for their sermons!

We now have a report from Romania that at least 900 baptisms are expected from Pastor Butoi’s series.

Pastor Butoi recently returned from Madrid, Spain, where he held a series of meetings; and on the 1st of June he began a series in Rome, Italy.

We want to thank all of you who have made this series happen, by sending up to heaven your precious prayers, and by financially supporting the costs. Thank you and God bless!

When
obstacles, challenges and difficulties are at the top of Satan’s agenda, you know something good is about to happen!

On the first night of the series there was a total of 30,000 people in attendance; 8,900 of that number were non-Adventist people...

“In Hancesti, Moldova...
...in Madrid, Spain...
...in Florence, Italy...
...in Vienna, Austria...
...Atlanta...
...Copenhagen...
...Athens...
...Dublin....”

This Orthodox Priest was one of more than 900 baptismal candidates that resulted from Romanian Net 2003. The Lord is working in a mighty way through Pastor Butoi.

“The Baptists had just finished
their own evangelization, and now they wanted to maintain the rhythm by coming to our NET...”