The Romanian people have, to a large degree, caught this vision. During the times of hard-line Communism under dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, the Romanian Adventist church was the fastest growing church in all of Europe. Why? Because, not only was there a burden in the hearts of the people to share Christ, but, to a large degree, much of the work fell into the hands of the common people.

Over 12 Years of Service!

Since 1991, the Romanian Union together with Laymen Ministries, has printed hundreds of thousands of books and millions of pamphlets and tracts for the prisons and for general outreach; Bibles by the thousands were purchased; meetings have been held across Romania training laymen for outreach and prison work. Churches have been planted in several cities. We have also sponsored personal and TV evangelism with Pastor Nicu Butoi, resulting in hundreds of baptisms. Many meetings have taken place with high-ranking government officials in the establishing of HPS (Humanitarian Prison Services), the prison ministry still sponsored by Laymen Ministries. God has really blessed the work in Romania over the last 12 years!

Because of the political situation in Romanian several years ago, and the mass distribution of The Desire of Ages and The Great Controversy, the work of HPS was very sharply curtailed for a time by the Orthodox Church. But today, HPS is once again flourishing through the blessing of God and by the hard work of HPS volunteers and paid staff. In some cases, we have even had Orthodox priests helping us distribute these books in the prisons, and in one case, an inmate priest was converted and baptized!

Today HPS has 395 volunteers! Around 250 are active on a regular basis, and the others part time. There are 11 paid workers sponsored by Laymen Ministries. Right now we are looking at adding two or three more paid workers.

These workers are currently active in 35 prisons, prison hospitals, and youth facilities across Romania. The question is, are the programs really working? Here is just one short story of the many that have come to us from the prisons of Romania.

Teofil’s Story

"My name is Bratima Teofil. I was born in a small village near Cugir city. My family was poor, and of the Orthodox faith. Like many 'Orthodox' in my country, I didn’t know God at all. In fact, I didn’t even know how to read! My father was a great fan of 'Bacchus,' the Roman god of wine and drunkenness. Growing up in this atmosphere, I started very early to smoke and drink. I also went to the church sometimes just to make fun of the priest’s ceremonies.

"At about at 13 years of age, the ‘good’ friends I was cultivating and myself began to commit all kind of felonies. I was happy because it was an easy way to gain money. One night, together with my cousin and a friend, we went to steal from a neighbor’s home. Our success was short lived because the police caught us. Because I was under 18 years of age, I didn’t go to prison, but instead was given 5 years probation.

"I continued to commit crimes and was finally landed in prison. I didn’t serve all my time, because after the great earthquake in Romania in 1977 I was released to help in the reconstruction of the buildings in the city.

"From 1977 until 1990 I was in prison another six times! In 1990, I was again released early because of the Romanian revolution. You would think a person would learn their lesson after the first few times, but some of us are stubborn — and even stupid.

"After my release I committed at least another 40 robberies, the last being terrible because I killed the person. This time I received a sentence of 25 years. I was very depressed and I said to myself, ‘This is my end.’ I tried to appear tough before the other inmates, drinking (yes, we could get alcohol in prison!) and picking fights. But God, in His great mercy, looked down on the likes of me, and longed to bring a change of heart.

"One of my cellmates, a criminal similar to myself, took me to a meeting in order to get the free materials that were being offered. It was an HPS meeting. I heard for the very first time in my life about a real God and about His love for someone even as wicked and selfish as myself. It is amazing to me how God can reach down and touch the heart of one like me. And I have seen Him do this to others in prison, too! I heard that God wants to forgive our sins and to give us power to walk in a new way of life.

"After a while, I was transferred to Maximum Security Prison in Craiova. I asked if there were HPS meetings here, too. I soon found out that there were! I met brother and sister Traian. These extraordinary people helped me and taught me from God’s Word. I felt that God ‘washed’ my sins and my soul was as clean as a newborn baby in Christ.

"Now I want to share with others about how great and powerful God is. Why? Because He succeeded in transforming such a wretched sinner like me into a true Christian man. If God was able to transform me, God can change anyone, even you! My desire is that anyone reading this story will accept God into his life, no matter what they have done. God is good and powerful, and He is willing to forgive us of everything, and to make us new creatures and workers for him.

"In 1999, I was transferred to the prison in Aiud, and now I am able to help brother Aurel Stanoiu to share God’s Word with the inmates here. Praise His Name! Amen!"

Many Needs

We are constantly being asked for Bibles for the inmates. The cost of each is about $4.00. Hymnals are in great demand, too. Books like Steps to Christ, and more Desire of Ages are always needed. Videos and audio sermons by Pastors Lucian Cristescu and Nicu Butoi could be made available, many of which might be played over the whole prison in-house TV systems. There is a need to purchase slides for presentations in Bible and health instructional classes; audio and video tape players, video projectors, and used computers (which we can purchase in Romania for a very inexpensive price).

In order to increase the impact of our work and our credibility with the authorities, it is necessary from time to time to donate paper, envelopes and stamps for letters the inmates need to write, clothes, food and when possible some useful items like sewing machines and other tools.

God has blessed our work in Romanian in a special way since we first began in 1991. Many people and ministries have come and gone with their Romanian projects, but Laymen Ministries has continued helping this little country which is still struggling to recover after years of Communist oppression. Why are we still there? Because of people like you who share the same burden we doing in seeing these projects be a success in winning souls for Christ’s kingdom! We thank you, and so do the many people of Romania!