The Open Door

I have been on many mission trips, both as a pastor and as executive director of the Convention, but I have never been on one that has inspired me more than my recent trip to Moldova. What a thrill it was to preach the Gospel among people who are hungry to hear a word from God. Hearts were open and ready to receive the Gospel. Many came receiving Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. The churches of Moldova were encouraged and strengthened, as were those of us who participated in the crusades across Moldova.

One of the great personal joys for me was the fellowship that I enjoyed with our missionaries, Larry and Dianne Martin. Formerly a Georgia Baptist pastor and wife, this wonderful couple felt the call of God to international missions, and God led them to serve among the people of Moldova. You might be interested in the way Larry and Dianne reported the crusades in their newsletter, which they call “MissionsMoldova.”

“They were officially called ‘Christian Festivals’ and God blessed by pouring out His spirit on the people and the preachers. On June 2-4 in the nine regions of Moldova, evangelistic services were held. Each service location was filled with people coming to hear the message of salvation in Christ.

“In Hincesti, Rev. John Tarrer preached as about 1,200 people sat in pouring rain to hear God’s message of love and grace. About 100 prayed to receive Christ that night. In Comrat, opposition forced the Saturday night service to be cancelled. However, God is more powerful and Sunday night’s service proceeded with about 1,500 standing and sitting in the street to hear Rev. Al Quinn preach Jesus. About 300 prayed to receive Christ. In Chisinau, Dr. J. Robert White preached to several thousand, and Sunday night about 500 responded to the invitation to receive Jesus Christ.”

The Martins go on in their report to tell how Rev. Danny Williams saw 10 people pray to receive Christ before the services ever started.

“Dianne and I spoke with some of the teenagers from the Lyons/Vidalia area prior to their returning to Georgia, and they all agreed that God had blessed them and energized them about missions and Moldova.

“In the northern part of Moldova, Dr. Terry Robertson, executive director of the New York Baptist Convention, preached and God opened hearts to the Gospel. Dr. Phil Pilgrim also saw this in Causeni, as did Dr. Mike Gravette in Chisinau and Ungheni, Dr. David Mills in Cahul, Rev. Frank Powers in Telenesti, and Dr. Gerald Harris in Balti/Floresti. God is at work in Moldova and we rejoice in Him.”

My assignment in Moldova was to preach the crusade service at the National Gymnasium located in Chisinau, which is the capitol city of Moldova. The National Gymnasium has seats for 3,500 people. What a thrill it was for me on Saturday evening to arrive at the gymnasium to see the stands already filling up and hear the 350-voice choir and 45-piece orchestra warming up for the worship service. By the time the service was underway, we had over 2,000 present.

The choir, orchestra and special presentations provided some of the most beautiful worship music I have ever heard. I preached a message that night on Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizing the fact that we are saved by grace through faith and not by our own personal good works. When the invitation was given, approximately 50-75 people professed faith in Jesus Christ. It was quite a wonderful experience for me to see these people coming to faith in Jesus.

On the next morning, Sunday morning, I had the privilege of bringing the morning message for a crowd of over 2,000 people at Jesus Savior Baptist Church, which is the largest church in Moldova. Forty-three people were baptized that morning and we shared the Lord’s Supper together. I preached a missions message, gave the invitation, and saw approximately 12 people give their hearts to Jesus and probably twice that number surrender to missions. The openness of the people to the preaching of God’s Word is so thrilling to witness.

On Sunday evening, we returned to the National Gymnasium for the closing service of the crusades. In a gymnasium that provides seating for 3,500 people, we had an attendance of over 4,000. I preached on the cross of Jesus Christ, and when I extended the invitation 300-500 people responded by committing their hearts to Christ. We will not know the exact number of decisions until the counselors’ report is sent to us but suffice it to say that many people came to Christ on Sunday evening. It was a moment that I will truly never forget.

What thrilled me was to learn on the next morning as we all gathered at the airport before dawn that our other pastors preaching in differing locations around the country had experiences similar to my own. Tears were shed and hearts leaped with joy to hear of the several thousand people who came to faith in Christ through the crusades.

I feel so privileged and honored to be a part of a Baptist state convention that is sold out to missions. Georgia Baptists, you are making a significant difference in the world. I am confident that this side of heaven only God knows the fullness of your impact upon our world through missions giving and missions going, as well as through your faithful prayers for revival.