Preparing the Next Generation of Worship Leaders

One of the projects I am working on here in Bucharest is an "Association of Music School", where a small group of talented, young, Christian musicians in Bucharest would offer lessons in various instruments (piano, drums, guitar, and voice) in an effort to help prepare the next generation of praise and worship leaders here in Bucharest. There is a real need in multiple evangelical churches in Bucharest to find and develop the youth who will eventually lead worship in their churches. A small group of my friends and I began discussing how we could best help to address this situation, and through those discussions, our idea has progressed into a small music school. Students will be taking individual lessons taught by experienced musicians four times a month in addition to coming together one Saturday each month to practice how to work together as a music team. For instance, working on ear exercises, rhythm, blending instruments, and how to communicate with one another while performing music. Moreover, since this is a specialized music program for Christian music leaders, we will be discussing a theology of praise and worship and the importance of not just playing music, but actively engaging the congregation in collective worship. Thus, we will be emphasizing the spiritual life of each student. I will be helping out both with voice lessons and a theology of praise and worship. Currently we are in the process of publicizing and handing out fliers to churches like the one above. Please pray for us as we progress in this exciting new endeavor!

Preaching in Dobroieşti

Sunday I was invited to preach at a small church-plant in a suburb of Bucureşti. This is a young church with a big vision for impacting a very unreached zone of the greater metropolitan area for Christ. I preached from Matthew chapter 13, where Jesus uses various parables to describe both what the Kingdom of Heaven is like and how it lshould operate within this, a fallen world. I also adressed many of the challenges that lie ahead for Romania, spiritually, as a member of the European Union. Certainly, there are aspects of EU laws that are not exactly in connection with the Kingdom of Heaven. Just as Jesus states in Matthew 13 about the weeds among the fields of wheat--there are certainly "weeds" sprouting up around Christians in Romania...one being rising secularisim in the West. Please pray along with me that Romanian Christians will remember that our utmost allegiance is to the Kingdom of God and to follow and obey His Word. We are called to be salt and light in this world. It will be interesting to see how the Body of Christ in Romania responds to EU temptations. Hopefully we will all remember that it is the Lord Jesus Christ who is our true king.

Did You Know?

The city of Sibiu, Romania is the European Capital of Culture for the year 2007! It is a beautiful city surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Carpathian Mountains. Sibiu is one city in Romania that has actively preserved much of its ancient medieval architecture. Here are some pictures of this charming city of Transylvania. If you would like to read more about Sibiu, please visit http://www.sibiu2007.ro/index_en.phpSibiu is known for its winding streets and medieval fortresses

The traditional folk costumes of the Sibiu regionSibiu city center

The Carpathian mountains surround the city

Old town Sibiu

Teamwork, Momentum, & Vision

I just got back from attending a youth leadership conference in Bucharest that really encouraged me! The main purpose of the conference was simply to start the new year with a show of unity in working together to reach the youth of Romania for Christ. The content of the seminar was excellent--wish all of you would have been able to be there to hear it. We covered such issues as: the top ten needs of the youth in Romania, teenagers and the mass media, identity, ideology, and the battle many youth have between mind and body.

Here are some interesting points that I walked away with:

*73% of Romanian youth become Christians before the age of 21

*Time & Space are key concepts in understanding teenagers. Very few have a concept of time and when it comes to space-- they want room to be creative, make mistakes, grow, and learn.

*Focus is everything! Youth like to rally around a cause, be it for better or worse. Look at Hitler's youth propaganda movements, the 60's, Tianneman Square, or simply politics. It's important for all of us who have connections with youth to help them find their focus in life, a Godly cause to rally around, and help and encourage them on the journey. Nowhere have I learned this more than here in Bucharest. The churches that seem to be doing well with their youth programs are the ones who rather than planning activities for the youth, instead, demonstrated trust in the youth by giving them responsibilities directly related to the cause of the youth group and the Church as a whole.

Overall, it was some great stuff. I am looking forward to meeting with more youth leaders and starting youth network meetings this year. I will keep you updated about the hills and valleys!

Holiday Highlights

My friend Andrea was in Romania after Christmas to visit friends. We worked together at Christian Student Fellowship at the University of Minnesota. It was good to catch up, show her where I work and entertain everybody with some classic 'MinnesOOOOtan' slang.

On Christmas Eve I sang with my friend Cat and shared a short Christmas message with a friend during a special Christmas program at a church plant about 25 kilometers to the east of Bucharest

Caroling with youth in Bucharest was fun. Our group was comprised of experienced musicians, so we were even able to jazz up some Christmas favorites!This is an evangelistic, youth choir in Bucharest that travels on weekends to various communities in outreach events. The director invited our caroling group as special guests for a Christmas concert.

New Years & the European Union

Happy New Year from Bucharest, Romania! It's official, Romania has joined the European Union. My Romanian family, the Tamaş', and I went to the city center (Piaţa Universităţii) to see the fireworks. Leaders from all over Europe were in Bucharest to officially welcome Romania into the EU. After a 15 minute movie of the history of the Romanians on large video screens, the fireworks started. We caped the night off with prayer for Romania and for God to give the leaders wisdom and patience in this time of transition. I am thankful for friends and family here in Romania who helped me have a great Christ-centered and fun start to 2007! The Fireworks lasted about 15 minutes

The Romanian Flag waving in the windows of the National Theatre

Mama Tamaş, Felix, Oana, and I (Cat took the picture)

The Pomp & Circumstance