Steve Goss writes:
I am on my last evening of a visit to Romania to follow up interest in FIC from conferences Neil Anderson held here last year.
I met today with Christian leaders in Timisoara and, if this is the place that God has chosen to start things in Romania, it couldn't be more appropriate.
The Romanian revolution against communist rule broke out here in 1989. It started with a priest barricading the beautiful Eastern Orthodox cathedral (pictured) and many gathering on the cathedral steps. They were gunned down. There is a plaque on the steps commemorating the FREEDOM that was ultimately gained by their sacrifice. Then, apparently, from a balcony nearby in the main square, people gathered and chanted "God exists" and the whole thing gathered momentum around the country.
This evening I spoke to a leader who was involved. I didn't fully realise how much influence Christians had in overthrowing the former regime and how many paid the ultimate price for freedom from dictatorship. It's extremely humbling and inspiring.
These are the leaders I met with today. Among them are church leaders, a politician, president of a Christian TV channel, representatives of a Christian radio station and a professional translator - in short all the ingredients we could wish for in getting FIC started. They have a great enthusiasm to get going and a strategy has been put in place. We will be following it prayerfully in the coming months.
I was privileged to be invited to do an interview at the TV channel this afternoon.