A DETAILED HISTORY

Our existence on earth has a sudden beginning, by an account of the Holy Bible written in Genesis1:1-2: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

The result of the presence and that of the movement of the Spirit of the Lord is mirrored in the transformation of that initial general state of chaos in a state of harmony and perfect order And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. Genesis1:3-4

The universe created by God, organized and governed by divine legislation, with the earth covered by green grass, with the waters and the mainland inhabited by living beings, having to the east a garden planted by God himself, receives as Master over everything the being that will carry His name as the crown of creation - MAN.

Expressing a supreme love for His creature God had established a good connection to man. What God established was destroyed by the cooperation between devil and man, this cooperation throwing in an increasing spiritual darkness not only man but also the whole universe.

For reestablishing the initial bond between man and God, the Creator himself planned and then committed in Jesus Christ the Sun chosen as sacrifice to pay for our sins the substitute of Christian in death.

The promise of times of spiritual revival, of casting away darkness is repeatedly given by God through the word of the prophets. So "… the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation…".

Thousand of years after that mankind will be flooded by the light of the Lord which initially revealed itself on the fields of Bethlehem which later spread quickly the final purpose being to the ends of the Earth.

Moldova Noua former Boshneag, is at the border of the Romanian territory, in the south-west of the country, in the area called Clisura Dunarii. The town lies on the two great valleys: Valea Mare and Valea Mica the latter being continued by the Baron neighbourhood. The two valleys meet and open like a fan, with fertile fields towards the Danube.

Archeological diggings on the area prove the existence of human settlement from the Neolithic, existing plain evidence of the continuity of that settlement until today. It is precisely known for example that in the year 1552 the place was occupied by the Turks, in 1717 after a census 32 houses are registered, in 1756 the Baron neighbourhood is joined to Boshneag neighbourhood.

It wasn't always that the town offered jobs for the local people, many of them being forced through the years to work in Germany, France or Hungary. Thus we find some of them around the years 1914-1918 working in military battalion at the coal mines in Veresvar near Budapest: among them Ilie Craioveanu, Nicolae Craioveanu and his wife Liza and Ion Baias. It was God's will for the four inhabitants to meet here Constantin Buriman from Coronini, who had heard the Gospel from brother Dumitru Dragila.

Eager to find out more about the Lord, they ask The Romanian Baptist Union ,through the German pastor, Rheinhold Scheffer, to send them a Romanian preacher from Banat to bring the Gospel to them.

As response to their request and on their expenses, for the Easter of 1918 brother Vasile Enascu from Potoc is sent to Veresvar for three days.

A short time after Easter, on the 7th of July 1918 the German Baptist Church in Budapest takes place a baptism with the newly converted brothers: Ilie Craioveanu, Nicolae Craioveanu and his wife Liza , Ion Baias and Constantin Buriman. The baptism was officiated by the German pastor Rheinhold Scheffer.

The small group of believers listened to the voice of the Lord Jesus from the Gospel of Mark 5:19-20 and applied it in Moldova Noua: Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. They left and started to share in Moldova Noua what the Lord has done to them. The first place for worship was the house of the two Craioveanu brothers, today the house no.304 on 1 Decembrie street.

The Holy Spirit worked in those times so strongly through the four new believers that a few months after their arrival home other 25 souls were touched by the Word of God and convinced about the Truth and were baptized on the3rd of August in Slatina Nera by brother Stefan Igna from Lalasint.Even if none of the 25 is still living the last one to die was Bro. Costa Arcan, they all deserve to be mentioned: Popescu Costa, Pascu Nicolaie, Pascu Maria, Nistoran Stefan, Nistoran Alexandra, Ion Ioan, Iancu Gheorghe, Popescu Elena, Iancu Amalia, Iancu Marta, Nistoran Alexandra, Strainescu Amalia, Disaga Nicolaie, Gruiescu Magdalena, Baias Sara, Carboian Elena, Nistoran Nasta, Craiovan Cati, Craiovan Cati, Craioveanu Petru, Craioveanu Amalia, Gruiescu Iovan and Tudor Ion.

Because the church had now 29 members, and some visitors as well, the house of the Craioveanu brothers became narrow.

The love for God and the desire to put everything he has in the hand of the Lord Jesus, associated with the need of a new space makes brother Ion Ioan (one of the 25 newly converted) to give the young church a construction he had in the garden. This is the second place for worship, which still exists on 1 decembrie 1918 street.

Moving the church building has proved to be under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the area called Valea Mica and the Baron neighbourhood has always been a good soil for the seed of the Gospel. The promise done in the Old Testament to the Israel through the prophet Isaiah For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses has come true in the life of the church in Moldova Noua so that not after a long time brother Ion Ioan offers a bigger room in the front building.

In this period of time we could distinguish the serving of the preachers Vichentie Percea from Ciclova Romana who has also served at the Lord's Supper and Enascu Vasile from Potoc.

The Word of the Lord was powerful spreading rapidly and according to Acts 2:47 And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. On the 3rd of May 1920 after a new baptism the church strengthens with another 44 souls . The baptisms was done in the Danube by the brothers Ion Suvet from Prilipet, Dumitru Dragila from Lugoj, Gheorghe Albu from Racajdia, Vasile Enascu from Potoc and Vichentie Percea from Ciclova Romana. From that date on brother Gheorghe Albu was chosen to pastor the church in Moldova Noua. At the same time a new decision is reached that apart from the monthly contribution the church will also give the equivalent of a day's work per month for paying the missionaries. The spirit of generosity, sacrifice and mutual Christian help of the members of the church becomes acknowledged. There is also a conclusive example: in the history of the Christian Baptist Church in Resita is mentioned that in the year 1927, when the Lord's house opposite the Community Center was build, the church from Moldova Noua donated a substantial sum of money and send workers: brothers Costa and Nicolae Arcan, Gheorghe Gruiescu, Toma Craioveanu and Ilie Caraboian.

Brother Gheorghe Albu, the first pastor of the church in Moldova Noua had a very good cooperation with brother Constantin Buriman from Coronini, with whom he ministered the surrounding villages, particularly the coal mine in Cozla-Sirinea.. Increasing in number the church felt the need of a local pastor. Under the leading of the Holy Spirit not only the church but also the ministers around the church have thought of brother Ilie Craioveanu. In 1920 he is called as minister and on the 5th of February 1921 he is made pastor. Brother Ilie Craioveanu was born on the 12th of April 1895.

It is worth reminding here what The History of the Baptists in Romania by Alexa Popovici said about brother Ilie Craioveanu: "… An imposing face, a deep thought and a mild speech but during the preaching shifting and having different accents, with a soft colouring, gifted, with a power to charm the listeners, the people would listen to him eagerly, being a calm person he knew how to solve all problems and to make peace when the spirits were agitated; he had an admirable position among the other workers and for the members of the church he had a bishop like authority. He was not only respected by the people of the church but also by the nonbelievers.

In 1922 having already gained spiritual and financial power the church decided in a Special Meeting to buy a new place of fellowship for themselves. Having found out that the notary Iosif Mayer was selling the house number 310 they have it decided in unanimity to buy this house that for the moment was fit for the church needs. The house was bought with the sum of 65000 lei, being seen as a gift from God because of the low price. It was bought on the 12th of July 1922 and soon it was arranged inside by pulling down some separating walls. This was the House of the Lord for 7 years until the 8th of October 1929 when a decision was reached to pull this building down and build another one from the foundation.

After tiring work and substantial financial efforts after 9 on the 8th of June1930 the new church building was opened which was preserved almost in the same shape as today. About the opening ceremony a Christian magazine Farul mantuirii no12-14 from 1930 writes: In the days of 8th and 9th June 1930 a great dream of the Christian Baptists in Moldova Noua has come true as after 5 years of hard work fighting the daily hardship to build a more appropriate building at the cost of 511624 lei. At the opening service which was on the same date with Whit Sunday was invited to preach brother Ioan Rusu Socaciu.

In this period of time the foundation of the first choir was laid through brothers Stefan and Gheorghita Pau. According to the archive photographs from 1932 there was a choir of over 35 people led by brothers Nicolae Arcan and Gheorghe Gruescu. At the same time the Women's Society - TABITA was found and led by sister Sanda Nistoran. The church grew and became a missionary center in Clisura Dunarii, a new minister being necessary not only for Moldova Noua but also for the newly born churches around. On the 27th December 1932 the leading board of the church decides that brother Costa Popescu (Grandfather of our today's pastor) will be ministering the church in Moldovita and then on the 22nd of October 1933 the churches in Carbunari and Stinapari will also come in his suborder and in April 1934 he is chosen pastor of these churches.

Brother Costea Popescu was the most appropriate to make a team for the evangelistic work togheter with brother Ilie Craioveanu..The History of the Baptists from Romania mentions brother Costa Popescu as one of the most active pastors in the area and those who knew him said that he had a different temper then brother Craioveanu with whom he worked very well. They both were called to the Lord at the age at the age of 52, brother Ilie Craioveanu on the 30th of November 1947 in Timisoara while serving at the altar and brother Costa Popescu in 1947 as a result of a disease which he had caught at a baptism on the 18th of August 1945 in Carbunari. At that baptism the one who would later pastor our church for 33 years brother Nicolae Rata was also baptized.

A short time after brother Costa Popescu's installation as a pastor , another member of the church was also installed. It is brother Nicolae Craioveanu whose brother will minister in the Baptist Church from Anina.

These were golden years for the work of the Lord with unforgettable blessings. Nevertheless, the church undergoes hardship several times and the first trial was in 1922 when brothers like Ilie Craioveanu Ion Ioan, Stefan Nistoran and Gheorghe Iancu were threatened and even arrested by the political authorities of that time. The climax of persecutions was reached under the dictatorship of the General Ion Antonescu Government that had as a Minister of Religious Creed Radu Budisteanu. This Minister decided on the 9th of September 1940 to abolish some religious creed among which the Baptist Creed as well.

The churches were closed and the church belongings were given to the state. Some buildings the one in Moldova Noua as well, became festival halls or cinemas. This calvary lasted until the 31st of October 1944 when King Mihai I of Romania approved the law decree no.553 that allowed the opening of all churches already closed. The years 1946 and 1947 were years of great suffering for the church as the two pastors went to the Lord.

In 1948 after many searches the church is led to bring as pastor brother Mircu Cocar. He was pastor here until 1951 when the Lord called him to serve in Sibiu. All those who knew him remember his warm messages his tender heart and his commitment for the Gospel. In times of trial, when the authorities banned some religious services pastor Mircu Cocar continued to have services on Wednesdays and on Fridays along with the Sunday evening services which had also been banned, always finding an excuse for the church meetings. Moreover the church together with pastor Mircu Cocar decides to open a new church in Baron neighbourhood. On the 30th of July 1950 the church decides to buy from brother Gheorghe Gruiescu the house no.554 from Baron area to arrange it a meeting place for the brothers from that area. The year 1951 meant for us a time of changes by brother Mircu Cocar leaving for Sibiu and brother Ion Scobercea working here for a few months.

On the 21st of October 1951 in the special meeting pastor Nicolae Munteanu was chosen by secret vote to lead the church. His arrival in Moldova Noua was on the 5th of November 1951 a week after his installation on 12th of November the official opening of the church in Baron neighbourhood takes places.

Brother Nicolae Munteanu remained in the memory of the local people as a young energetic man with strong messages based on the Bible. He never stepped to the altar unprepared. Strongly attached to the church people he managed to motivate them like no one else. The founding of a new orchestra, with the aid of sister Cristina Folk from Oravita, who had already worked with the church during pastor Mircu Cocar's leading, is done under his observation.

Pastor Nicolae Munteanu's activity in Moldova Noua ends in 1956 when he leaves for Carbunari where he soon dies.

There comes in the history of the church a period of about 33 years when brother Nicolae Rata was pastor here. He started his fellowship on the 10th of June the Whit Sunday. At this event brother Vichente Craioveanu was also present and from the Baptist Union from Romania came pastor I.R. Socaciu. He actually took over the ministry when his family joined him. At first the main activity was in the two churches and then he took over for leadership other churches like Moldova Veche, Sfinta Elena, Padina Matei, Susca and others.

Still at beginning of his activity he decides to do some repairing at the Baron church and this is done very quickly. We mentioned some of the brothers who worked in this neighbourhood: Ion Baias, Dumitru Baias, Mihai Baloi, Costa Popescu (our today’s pastor’s father), Mihai Craioveanu, Ion Marisescu. Later the authorities withdraw the license for this church and as a result and under pressure the church building are sold. Between 1956-1957 sister Cristina Folk is called to Moldova Noua to found another orchestra this time a bigger one. For the same purpose a pipe organ is installed, build by brother Szabo from Oradea and in 1971 a brass band is founded under the leading brother Theodor Olaru from Timisoara the stick being taken by brother Gheorghe Odorescu.

A very important moment in the life of the church during pastor Nicolae Rata’s guidance was the interior renovation of the church building between 1980-1981. The architect Gratian did the work with personal resources after a draft from Arad and the site master was brother Gheorghe David. The financial effort of the brothers was special so that every member would bring the contribution of minimum salary or a pension. In this work the church has also got the support of the Christian from Resita that gave us a sum of 50000 lei and a loan of 50000 lei.

During the 33 years brother Nicolae Rata officiated tens of baptisms with hundreds of candidates from in and around Moldova Noua.

In 1990 reaching the age for retirement he decided to be pensioned of and he transferred the church in Moldova Veche in order to help the ministry there.

On the 25th of January 1991 because of the difficulty to travel a group of 33 brothers and sisters asked for transfer to the church in Moldova Veche, and then again for the same difficulties on the 1st of April a group of 27 members bought a house in Baron area to have a church building there which later became Baptist Church no.2. After brother Nicolae Rata leave, the church remained without a pastor.

After a period of searching, fasting and asking for guidance through prayers on the 3rd of February 1991 pastor Ion Popescu is chosen. His installation was on the 14th of July 1991 the installation board had the following members: pastor David Nicola, pastor Ovidiu Bulzan, pastor Nicolae Rata, pastor Ilie Cimpoca and pastor Eugen Groza.

The new opportunities offered to the evangelistic movement after the December 1989 Revolution against the communist regime in Romania have been used by our church completely by organizing special activities. As a result of these activities and because of the presence of the Holy Spirit the church continued to grow. From the moment brother Ion Popescu became pastor until today. 

It is worth mentioning the names of some brothers involved in the ministry here:

• The deacons who served the Lord in this church are the brothers: Moise Nistoran, Costa Arcan, Dumitru Baias, Gheorghe Gruiescu, Petru Pavel, Gheorghe Zaica, Dumitru Tutuitanu, Gheorghe David, Virgil Alboiu and Ion Damian.
• The choir leaders who served here are the brothers: Gheorghita Pau, Nicolae Arcan, Gheorghe Gruiescu, Toma Iacobici, Ion Dobrescu, Gheorghe Albu sometimes helped by Gheorghe Tutuian and Sabin Minteanu and at the moment Cristian Albu
• The orchestra leaders who served in the church are the brothers: Petru Gruiescu, Gheorghe Odorescu, Gheorghe Zaica, Ion Dobrescu, Gelu Milos, Cristian Albu
• The brass band leaders who served in the church are the brothers: Gheorghe Odorescu, Gheorghe Tutuianu and Craiovan Alexandru.

No matter whether the church has decreased in number as brothers left the country or moved to other churches or whether it has increased in number through baptisms and transfers from other churches in all these years MARANATA Baptist Church in Moldova Noua has always felt the protecting hand of God Almighty.

The trials allowed by God for the church have always brought a victory of the faith leading to a spiritual maturity of the members, preparing it for the time when the devil aware that he has run out of time as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). We will stay confident in the promise of the LORD: hen said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.( Hebrews 10:7 ).

Having heard of the times of trial and the constant victory of the LORD in the Baptist Church Maranata Moldova Noua we can now after so many years said that The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.( Psalms 126:3).

To GOD be the Glory!

AMEN.