Negrut invites Missouri Baptists to join Romania in reaching world
By Allen Palmeri
Staff Writer
November 18, 2003
ST. LOUIS – As president of the Romanian Baptist Union, president of Emmanuel University of Oradea and pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Paul Negrut is likely the most qualified speaker on the topic of how Romanian Baptists are fulfilling Acts 1:8.
Negrut said missionaries have been sent out to Albania, Austria, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Macedonia, Moldova, Northern Ireland, Russia, Siberia, Spain, Sudan, Turkey and Ukraine .
“There is a commitment to take the Gospel not just to the Romanian people but beyond the borders of our country," he said.
Romania is serving as a bridge for Missouri Baptists who have a three-year partnership with Iraq as well as one with Romania.
“An evangelist from our seminary is in northern Iraq," Negrut said. “As you pray for that nation, we are praying as well."
Negrut came to the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) at the Millennium Hotel for one purpose.
“I’m here to plead with you, come over to Romania ," Negrut said. “Come over and make these three years the most glorious time in the history of our conventions — to see thousands of people saved, to see hundreds of new churches planted, to see more people trained and encouraged for missions.
“Let’s pray together and take the Gospel from here to Romania , from Romania to Russia , from Russia to the Middle East, from Romania to Iraq . Let’s glorify Jesus, because there is provision for us."
The power of the Romanian church is genuine, Negrut said. He compares it to the power present in Peter when he raised the lame man to his feet (Acts 3:1-7).
“When I speak about power, I speak about that saving power of Christ, the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit," Negrut said. “Peter was rich, not in silver and gold but in that real presence of Christ in his life.
“If you come to Romania , you will see people getting saved on the streets, in homes, on the bus or the train as they travel, or in church meetings or evangelistic events."
A total of 20 church-to-church partnerships between Missouri Baptists and Romania Baptists have been formed, according to MBC Associate Director Roy Spannagel. And more partnerships are about to be formed.
Trips to Romania are being planned for March, April, May, September, October and November. The first trip is scheduled for March 16-23. Deadline for registration is Jan. 9. Contract Linda Stockton at 1-800-736-6227, ext. 621.
