Mission trip to Moldova

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A week full of missions, encounters, and spiritual experiences

From July 20th to 27th, 2025, we – a group of 13 people from the Cloppenburg region led by Alexander Maurer, the parish leader from Werlte – traveled to Moldova. During our trip, we were housed and fed in the mission building in the city of Bălți, from where we set out daily on our missions to the surrounding villages.

Arrival in Bălți

Our group arrived in Bălți on Sunday. The first day was spent resting after the long journey and getting to know the local mission staff. During an evening prayer service, we were strengthened, and the Holy Spirit kindled a fire within us that stayed with us throughout the week. Soon the real work began, focusing on two different villages: Egorovca and Natalievca.

Three days in Egorovca

From Monday to Wednesday, the village of Egorovca, about 25 kilometers from Bălți, was the main work location. There, the group split into two teams. The first group made house calls, meeting both believers and non-believers. In addition to spiritual encouragement, songs, and short Bible verses, those in need also received food packages. The goal was to offer comfort and point people toward faith in God.

The second team carried out a construction project at the home of an elderly sister named Vera. A long-time member of the community in Egorovca, she is very active in community life, but is no longer able to maintain her house. The entrance area of her house was dilapidated, so the group carried out renovations there, transforming it into a beautiful room. They also painted the fence, cleaned the yard, and performed other tidying-up work.

Simultaneously, evangelistic events were held every evening in the Egorovca community. Invited by house visits, numerous villagers gathered. Through sermons and songs, many people were encouraged to reconsider their lives and turn to God. The first spiritual fruits of this work were becoming visible. In addition, the group also supported the village's social center by repairing a broken heating system and insulating the roof.

Deployment in Natalievca

For the next three days, we traveled to the village of Natalievca, which is also near the city of Bălți. There, too, we made house calls and provided practical assistance. A particular focus was on a sixty-year-old man who is physically disabled, addicted to alcohol and drugs, and socially isolated.

He lives alone in a badly dilapidated shack where living conditions were inhumane. Our group cleared out the house, cleaned and painted the rooms, and tidied up the garden by felling trees and stacking the wood. Although the man initially resisted the work, making unfriendly remarks and criticizing the help, we experienced a surprising turn of events.

After being washed by some of our brothers—the first time in over a year—he accepted our invitation to the evangelistic service. There, he allowed himself to be prayed for and showed, for the first time, an openness to faith. This event was a powerful testimony for the entire group and demonstrated that no one is lost to God and that every effort is worthwhile.

End of the trip

On Saturday evening, we spent some time together before beginning our return journey to Germany early Sunday morning. The mission trip to Moldova impressively demonstrated how practical help and spiritual ministry can be intertwined. Through construction and cleanup work, home visits, and evangelistic outreach, many people received support and new hope. For our group, the trip was a valuable experience that brought God's guidance and blessing into sharp focus. We look back on the week with gratitude and affirm that every effort made in service to God has meaning.

About the origins of the village mission in Egorovca

About ten years ago, the idea arose in Egorovca to found a new church community. From a small group of house friends, a close-knit community gradually developed, which continues to shape the village to this day.

First beginnings

In 2014, the desire to establish a church in the village of Egorovca grew within the Bălți congregation. A few members began holding regular meetings. As early as 2015, the first German missionary group arrived and conducted evangelistic outreach in front of a burned-down kindergarten. With the help of donations, a small house was purchased that year and converted into a church building. Support came especially from young people from the Bălți congregation, who traveled to Egorovca under the leadership of Brother Paul Borsci. They held worship services, visited villagers, and began sharing the Gospel.

Resistance in the village

Jesus' message initially met with resistance. An Orthodox priest warned the villagers, threatening that no prayers of intercession would be offered for them upon their death if they participated in any way in the church community. This fueled fear. Older residents, in particular, dreaded dying without prayers for their intercession. Windows were smashed, gatherings disrupted, and the congregation often felt as if they were fighting a battle against the entire village.

Despite this situation, the Holy Spirit was working in people's hearts. At tent evangelistic events, villagers began to listen secretly from behind trees. Many adults remained hesitant, but the children came in large numbers. From 2016 onward, the children's ministry grew significantly, leading more and more families to join the church. Trust was also built through the Christians' practical help—through visits and small construction projects.

The construction of a church

The desire for a permanent building became concrete in 2018 when the congregation submitted a building application. Because the mayor was critical of the project, he delayed the approval by a year and a half. Construction finally began in October 2019. With the help of Mission Stephanus and the Cloppenburg congregation, a church building with space for approximately 150 people was erected. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, German volunteers were temporarily unable to participate, but thanks to donations, construction was completed by October 2020. Around 200 people attended the dedication ceremony and gave thanks to God for the new building.

The social center

Many people in Egorovca still live without running water. They have to wash with water from bowls and have hardly any way to clean their clothes. Poverty and loneliness further burden their daily lives. To help in this situation, the idea for a social center was born in 2022. People would be able to shower, wash their clothes, and experience community there. While there, they would listen to Christian music, have access to Christian literature, and have the opportunity to ask questions about faith.

A brother from Germany donated money to purchase an old building. After renovations, the center opened on July 17, 2023. It combines practical help with the proclamation of the Gospel. Now, children also receive a hot meal there four times a week. For many families, the center has become a place of hope.

Village development

From humble beginnings in 2014, a vibrant community has grown. Despite many obstacles, God granted growth. Today, Egorovca is home not only to a church, but also to a social center that helps people in their daily lives and shares the love of Christ with them. Through this work, children receive a hot meal, families receive practical assistance, and many villagers hear the saving message of Jesus. Even those who were once hostile to the community now recognize the good that is happening here.

More and more hearts are being opened, and the Gospel is finding its place in the village. The story of Egorovca reminds us that even in difficult times, God builds His church. Where resistance and fear prevailed, He bestowed courage, perseverance, and fruit. What began small has become a visible testament to His grace. Let us thank God for this and continue to pray for Egorovca. May God reach many more people and make this church a shining light in the region.

Daniel Postovitjuk

Municipality of Molbergen