Lives Transformed During FGB Outreach to Romania and Serbia
Report by Colin Pownall
A team consisting of Colin Wilson (Stoke FGB), John Rowley, Brian Evans (Bikers Church) and myself recently returned from a remarkable 14-day outreach to Romania and Serbia.
The itinerary was both demanding and rewarding, including:
- Six prison visits
- Three FGBMFI dinner outreaches
- Two church meetings
- Numerous additional ministry opportunities
Every meeting, including the prison visits, was organised under the FGBMFI banner by faithful men from the long-established FGBMFI groups in Romania and Serbia. While it would be impossible to recount every moment, here are some of the highlights from a trip that saw hundreds of lives impacted by the Gospel.
A Life Changed Forever
Our first FGB outreach dinner was held in a local pizza restaurant. With four guests attended alongside the twelve members of the FGB team, the evening proved to be unforgettable.
Two of the guests arrived as non-Christians but left with transformed lives.
One was a 22-year-old homeless woman named Claudia. As she responded to the invitation to receive Christ, she wept throughout the prayer. She asked the translator to speak the sinner’s prayer slowly and clearly because she didn’t want to miss a single word.
It was a beautiful and deeply moving conversion.
If the entire trip had been only for Claudia, it would still have been worthwhile.
Hope Behind Prison Walls
The team then travelled between several men’s prisons, where the Holy Spirit moved in extraordinary ways.
Approximately 200 prisoners gave their lives to Christ. Many openly wept as they responded to the Gospel.
As anyone familiar with prison culture knows, men rarely cry because it is often seen as a sign of weakness. Yet when God moves, even the hardest hearts can be softened.
Throughout the prison visits there was prayer for healing, many received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Lives were visibly transformed.
One of the prisons is located in a town whose name has satanic associations. Rather than referring to it by that name, we affectionately renamed it “Grace Prison.” Once again, the God of all grace met us there in a powerful way.
Revival in the Women's Prison
One of the greatest surprises of the trip was the opportunity to minister once again in a women’s prison. Something I had not done for many years.
We were given just one hour.
The prison authorities opened the Orthodox church within the prison for our meeting. It is safe to say that events took place there that day which rarely happen within those walls.
Forty-five women responded to the invitation to receive Jesus Christ.
Many were overcome by the presence of God. Some fell under the power of the Holy Spirit, while others wept openly as they encountered His love and forgiveness.
The scenes caused quite a stir among the prison staff. With even the prison governor being called from her office to witness what was happening.
Vibrant Dinner
The next FGB dinner took place in Arad.
The restaurant, which seats around 35 people, was completely full. In many ways, it reminded me of the vibrant FGB dinners we used to enjoy regularly here in the UK.
After a meal together, the evening continued with worship and personal testimonies.
There was one humorous interruption along the way. I found myself making several urgent trips away from the meeting and asking the worship team to “play a few more songs” while I disappeared! Thankfully, everything settled down and the testimonies continued.
Several people responded to receive Christ. While others were ministered to through words of knowledge and prophecy as God demonstrated His love in personal ways.
An Event that Continued Outside
Our final FGB dinner brought us back to the same restaurant in Oradea where the outreach had begun. This time the venue was packed. Filled largely with young university students who greeted us warmly as we arrived.
Following pizza, worship and testimonies, an invitation was given for people to respond.
Initially, no one moved.
Feeling prompted by the Holy Spirit, I spoke directly to one young man. As God ministered personally to him, the atmosphere changed completely. Soon others came forward for prayer and ministry.
The restaurant owner eventually needed to close for the evening. So we simply continued ministering outside.
The polite handshakes we had received on arrival became heartfelt embraces. Also accompanied by tears, as people left knowing they had encountered God.
It was one of the personal highlights of the entire trip.
God Provides Everything we Need
One morning in Lipova, I awoke after dreaming that I should visit the local police station.
After breakfast we set off, only to realise we had no interpreter.
Just a short walk from the hotel we passed a café where a young married couple were sitting together. We stopped to talk with them and shared our faith.
Within ten minutes both had given their lives to Christ.
The husband, Darius, spoke excellent English as well as Romanian and willingly became our interpreter. Once again we were reminded that our God truly supplies all our needs.
Another personal encouragement was seeing Bikers Church now established in Romania.
It was a privilege to spend time with two of the leaders. Praying together and encouraging them as they continue to reach bikers with the Gospel.
Thank You!
This outreach would not have been possible without the faithful support of so many people.
My heartfelt thanks go to my English and Romanian brothers who served tirelessly throughout the trip. To our churches for their prayers and financial support. Above all to the Lord Jesus Christ, whose presence and power were evident wherever we went.
I am also deeply thankful for the original vision of Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International. To take the Gospel to the nations.
That vision is still changing lives today.
Each morning we prayed for a fresh anointing, recognising that yesterday’s anointing was for yesterday. God continues to call His people to depend on Him afresh each day.
Please continue to pray for the ongoing work in Romania and Serbia, and for the many lives that have recently begun their journey with Christ.
Be blessed.