Romania

Oti began by saying that TCM is a personal journey for him.  He showed pictures of his parents, his wife, Cami and son, David.  Oti wears many “hats” – he teaches at the University of Bucharest, pastors a church of over 400 members, works with Project Ruth (the ministry to Gypsy people), among other things.  The church Oti pastors has a choir and a mandolin orchestra – unusual for a church, even in Romania!

Romania is a country of 22 million people.  TCM has been involved in the work there in four ways:

·      Strategic Involvement – TCM works with local ministries.  Three TCM graduates are pastors of churches of over 1,000 members; 50% of TCM graduates are church planters; 20% are involved in training ministries; and 30% are in secular vocations, sharing the message of Christ in their workplaces.

·      Cultural Sensitivity – Reaching out to meet the needs of people.  One example is Project Ruth, a ministry to Gypsy children, which provides education, food and clothing, as well as teaching health and hygiene.

·      Local Relevance – TCM values indigenous input, training people who are already ministering, involving all six denominations in Romania.

·      True Partnership – There are 135 MA and M.Div., and certificate students in Romania, and five PhD students.  TCM provides assistance in publishing theological books, sponsoring theological conferences and a PhD colloquium.

The latest news is the new 20,000-square foot building for Project Ruth, which was completed in October 2006.  The cost was over $700,000, which was raised by a church of only 300+ members!

This year a graduation service in Romania will be held for the first group of PhD graduates.  Tony Twist will speak at the service.

Now that TCM has its full accreditation, it is a partner with the University of Bucharest.

TCM graduates also sponsor a “World Fund”, which provides financial assistants to four TCM students who are ministering in Central Asian Muslim countries.

Oti expressed thanks for TCM’s involvement in Romania, and to the sponsors and donors of TCM.