2017 year end magazine

GOSPEL MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. EVANGELISM DISCIPLESHIP COMPASSION   1

Greetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ from Eastern Europe! Our prayer is that this magazine touches your heart and moves all of us to action to continue the Lord Jesus Christ’s Kingdom expansion. Through the years and with the Lord’s help, we have developed and nurtured many relationships with precious people throughout the world. The Lord continues to do great things through these relationships and through the dedicated hard work of the vast network of national missionaries and pastors that has been established through GMI. In this magazine, you will experience the fruit of this hard work and co-laboring together through the testimonies of those helped, as well as those who continue to help the ministry in many different ways. Cristina and I have been married for 29 years and are very thankful to be grandparents. May the Lord find us on His return to be faithful and fruitful as we share just a few of the many praise reports and projects stemming from the opportunities He provides.In This Issue:Page 3 ------------------------- Evangelism – Eastern Europe and Beyond A  Page 4 ------------------------- BaptismsPage 5 ------------------------- Church Planting, Building and ExpansionPage 6 ------------------------- National Missionaries Page 4  Page 7 ------------------------- Bible Training Schools and Project Page 11Page 8 ------------------------- Orphans – Children at Risk Page 13Page 9 ------------------------- Homes of HopePage 10 ----------------------- Hope for IndiaPage 11 ----------------------- Summer CampsPage 11 ----------------------- Youth ConferencesPage 12 ----------------------- Bible ProjectPage 12 ----------------------- Annual Shoe ProjectPage 12 ----------------------- Rehabilitation CentersPage 13 ----------------------- Elderly and WidowsPage 14 ----------------------- Rehab CentersPage 14 ----------------------- Feeding ProgramsPage 15 ----------------------- Gift Catalog Gospel Ministries International, Inc. is a purely religious Non-Profit, non-stock 501(c)3Corporation. All donations are 100% tax deductible. Published in Belleville, IL. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright – The entire contents of this issue of GMI magazine are copyrighted   © 1996-2018 by Gospel Ministries International, Inc. All rights reserved. 2

Evangelism has and always will be the very core of the GMI vision. Ournetwork of faithful and dedicated national missionaries and pastorscontinue to share the Gospel in the local unreached villages of Moldova,Romania, Transnistria, Ukraine and India. Through the years the Lord hasopened and continues to open doors to minister in the nations of Kenya,India, Peru and Nigeria. We have met and work along side many visitingpastors, leaders and evangelists from other countries. Teams of youngpeople regularly visit villages and towns that have no other evangelicalwork and offer help and prayer to those who are in need. They continue toreach them with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ after inviting them toevening meetings. Evangelizing the unreached villages is the first step toplanting a house church. Over 100 churches have been planted throughthe last two decades in this manner and it continues to be a successfulmodel for expanding the Lord Jesus Christ’s Kingdom. We are so verythankful for those who work along side us as we work to fulfill the greatcommission.“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation. Whoeverbelieves and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believewill be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16   3

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved…” – Mark 16:16The Word of God says in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved”. How very special it is to seeyoung and old alike obeying God, following the example of Jesus Christ and being baptized in His Name. ThroughoutEastern Europe and beyond, national missionaries lead water baptismal services where many are saved and baptized.We are so thankful for the fruits of our labors and continued reaping of souls for His Kingdom. We give all the gloryand honor to Jesus that people are still following His example and being baptized in Jesus’ Name!In the gypsy community of Toflea, Romania, there continues to be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and hundreds havebeen baptized in the last few years at these large services (pictured above). Each summer, we have the opportunity tominister at the large service in Corjeuti, Romania as the hill is turned into a scene from the book of Acts (below left) asfamily members and curious onlookers come to watch the multitudes be baptized. Whether it is large services such asthese or smaller services such as in the Iasi Church, (below right) we are always honored to be a part.   4

Turbata, Romania In the gypsy community of Turbata, Romania, working along side brother Viorel Banu, with the Lord’s help we are continuing to make a difference among the gypsy people. These unreached groups in our country are discriminated against but dearly loved by the Lord Jesus Christ. We co-labor together with them and the church of Turbata (pictured above). We thank the Lord for our partners who provided the initial support to change the doors and fix up the inside (top left) and outside (bottom left) with electricity. We pray that the Lord would help us to even provide for the roof to be replaced. The church plant at the headquarters in Iasi, Romania is growing and with this growth comes the need for additional funds to accommodate the growing congregation. As they continue to reach out to the large population of college students in the surrounding city, doors of opportunity continue to open. Growing congregations in many towns and villages that have been evangelized such as the ones in Ivesti, Romania and Cortijeni, Moldova below also are in need of funds to proceed. Please pray along with us that the Lord would move on someone’s heart to provide the necessary funds to help these precious saints. Won’t you consider helping us to be a blessing to these communities so they may have a comfortable house of worship?   Many towns and villages where evangelistic meetings The house church in Cortijeni, Moldova is growing quickly and have been held now have growing house churches and becoming crowded. We trust the Lord to provide funds to are in need of new facilities. 5 purchase a larger house in the village.

National MissionariesAfter two decades of relationship building, we can see how the vision of transforming nations by making disciples ofthe Lord Jesus Christ has become a reality in Eastern Europe and beyond. A key point of God’s vision for GMI is toaffectively reach others for Christ through the national missionaries who not only have a heart for the lost but whoalso know the language, culture and customs. While the national missionaries face great needs and personalchallenges, they are so thankful for what the Lord is doing through them and very appreciative for your support inhelping them accomplish the ongoing vision. They are dedicated to sharing their faith through the evangelistic andbaptismal meetings, planting new churches, leading conferences and summer camps, working in prisons andrehabilitation centers and always reaching for greater things in the Lord.Ongoing discipleship and training is also important and in the past year we were honored to be a part of aninternational missionary conference (above right) that was organized by Good Samaritan International, which is led bypresident Peter Radchuk and held in western Ukraine (close to Poland). Leaders from western and Eastern Europewere a part of the conference as well as missionaries who came from the Far East, Kanchata, Russia and India.Pastor Ion Leca from Puhoi, Moldova, his wife Tatiana and four childrenrejoice as they see their prayers being answered for their personal andministry needs as we have co-labored together over the years. PastorIon has seen many hardships in his life but the Lord has been faithful tobring him and his family through. He was born into an orthodox familybut didn’t attend church and knew nothing about God. When hereturned from the army he practiced martial arts with the intentions ofentering a gang or being a bodyguard until a colleague from workgave him some Christian literature. A year later he finally attendedchurch and was baptized in 1993. Now he is a pastor at the church inPuhoi (middle right), is a professional Tai Kwan Do trainer to localchildren incorporating the Gospel message into his teaching and runsa feeding program for around 30 children each week through hischurch (bottom left). He has seen the Lord’s hand in healing his familywhen recently he was reconciled to his father (right top photo, father ison far right) that he had not spoken to in years and who was analcoholic. I had the privilege of leading his 75-year-old father to theLord and now he attends church. We pray the Lord would restore theyears “that the locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25) Pastor Ion’s daughter withthe help of our partners has had surgeries on her legs to straightenthem, he has had a newer van provided to him by our partners aftertraveling many miles either by foot or with a very old vehicle tominister to other local villages. Now, they are in need of repairs ontheir home, which was their grandparents’ home and is falling apart(bottom right). We pray the Lord would provide for these repairs fortmhii n s ifsatirtihefsuilnapnrdaydeerd. icated national missionary family. Please keep their 6

Bible Training Schools “Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” - 2 Timothy 2:15 Bible schools have been a vital key to building the GMI army   of indigenous missionaries, pastors and leaders who are   your hands and feet in Eastern Europe and beyond.   In order to affectively network with pastors throughout   Eastern Europe and better equip our team of national   missionaries, GMI currently supports three bible schools in   Moldova. Because of the help of our partners, the Corjeuti   Bible School’s new facility (top and middle left) in northern Moldova is now complete and is the only 2-year bible- training center in the country and has been training students for 12 years. Young men and women who have     been chosen by their pastors to participate in the two-year   course are dedicated to reaching the lost (top). This facility   also trains women and holds conferences for pastors and leaders to be refreshed and receive ongoing discipleship.     The bible school in Slobozia, Southern Moldova (bottom left and right) now has close to 30 students attending. The most wonderful part is that they come from various denominations, so it is a great blessing to see them coming together. We thank God for this spirit of unity.   7

Cornesti Orphanage MoldovaOrphans - Children At RiskTough economic times have plagued Eastern Europe and especially Moldova since the fall of communism. It leftcountless orphans throughout Romania, Moldova and Transnistria.Ghiorghi and Cristina Cazacu have been visiting and striving to meet the needs of the Cornesti Tuberculosis RecoveryOrphanage, since 2003 (above). Throughout the years our friends and partners have helped to remodel rooms,provide heat, water wells, clothing, food supplements, school supplies, and winter and summer shoes to make lifemore tolerable for these precious ones. Most importantly the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been shared with thechildren and staff throughout the last 15 years and now the staff reinforce the truths that have been shared withthem by the national missionaries who make regular visits.GMI also extends assistance to other orphanages in Grenauti, Bender and Popesti, Republic of Moldova and India.The Lord has given us clear direction to help the orphans (James 1:27) and we are so thankful for those who have alsoopened their hearts and provided support for these precious little onesthroughout the years.Even though we will not see the fruits of all our labors here on earth, we know theseeds of truth have been planted in their hearts throughout the years and therewill be great rejoicing in eternity. One great praise report is that of Boris whocame to the Cornesti Orphanage at the age of 8 (right center with white shirt)where we met him for the first time. He melted our hearts when he told us thathe had “no mother or father and no grandmother or grandfather” and to pleasetake him home with us. …Continued on next page   8

Boris was then placed in the loving home of Anatol and Lillia, which we call a Home of Hope. He thrived in his new environment, but not without the difficulties that childhood and the teen years can bring. He learned life skills, Godly principles and grew into a wonderful young man who has since served his time in the Army. When his term was finishing he was given the choice for the Army to become a career or he could become part of the Special Forces in the French Foreign Legion. Boris has always had a soft heart and we are so very excited to share that he has chosen to leave the Army and attend the Corjeuti Bible School in Moldova for the next two years to serve the Lord. Homes Of Hope Having adopted children of their own, the Cazacus have facilitated the placement of dozens of other orphans within their network of national missionaries in what are called “Homes of Hope” and are working to expand this concept to other nations, such as India. God’s plan for children is to be raised in a family, rather than in orphanages. That is why we started the Home of Hope Project, which places orphans in loving Christian homes where they receive practical life skills, sound biblical teaching and the love of a mother and father. In the story of Boris above, we mentioned the Home of Hope in Chirchaesti, a small village, which is set in the center of the Republic of Moldova. The children have been raised up as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, and have received practical life skills. Their two daughters are now married and are having children of their own. The family is now virtually self-sufficient due to the generous giving of our partners through the years. (large photo top left) In another Home of Hope, Pastor Anatol and his family (pictured center left) are located in a major city in Transnistria near the border of Moldova. Pastor Anatol is the senior pastor of a large established church and oversees a network of 10 national missionaries. He and his wife have 5 biological children and raising 6 additional. The children are being raised in a loving atmosphere, excellent in all they do. Their three oldest daughters are now attending college and their tuition is supplemented by GMI. In recent years, Ghiorghi has taken the concept of these “Homes of Hope” to India (left). Pastor Joshua and his wife have taken in 18 children, training them in the ways of the Lord and teaching them life skills. The children are growing up and now 4 are attending college, with the Lord’s help. (More on India continued on next page) Please keep these growing families in your prayers as the   children grow into young adults 9

Hope for India (Above inset) children forced to labor for the survival of their family, (above) a child is hungry to learn, (below left) street children, (below center) a child works so his family can eat, (below right) children who have found hope for a brighter future. India has 440 million children, more than the entire population of North America. An astounding 40% of these are under 5 years old and malnourished with 79% of children under the age of 3 suffering from anemia. Half of the children have reduced learning capabilities because of iodine deficiency. There are hundreds of children just around Pastor Joshua (Home of Hope India) in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha India who are orphans, hopeless and without proper clothing or food due to poverty and no way to get an education. They are forced into child labor being fatherless and work for the family to survive. Official figures indicate that there are over 12 million children laboring in India, but many believe that figure to be upwards of 60 million. Child abuse is a horrendous problem with 67% being victims of physical abuse. Pastor Joshua who has already cared for 18 children with many in college as we shared on the previous page has a heart to remove as many children as possible from these dire circumstances. He is overwhelmed by the poverty and lack of education as he cries out to the Lord for provision to give these children a hope for a better future. Please pray that the Lord would direct him and GMI in how to provide fo r   these precious ones needs and in giving them hope through the Lord Jesus Christ. 10

Visiting mission teams from the U. S. are a vital part of GMI. We welcome you to join us on the mission field!“I have visited with Brother Ghiorghi and GMI 3 times over the last 3 yearsand I am always astounded at the depth of relationships that GMI haswith the local communities of believers. I was deeply honored to speak ata Pastors’ conference for the Gypsy leaders in Iasi, Romania andencourage them in their leadership. Also, teaching a seminar and theBible students in Corjeuti, Moldova was a great blessing. The culminationof which witnessed 2 men receiving the call of God to become Pastorsand 4 others to become missionaries. What a great blessing to witnessfirsthand God’s unfolding heart for the people of Eastern Europe. Atvarious evangelistic meetings and church services, we witnessed God’ssupernatural power for salvation, deliverance and miracle healing. Truly atestament to GMI’s continued commitment to the call of God and thepeople of this part of the world!” – Pastor Jeff Richards, Helena, MTSummer CampsNational missionaries have worked hard over theyears to bring thousands of children and youth to theannual summer camps throughout Eastern Europe.Children and youth experience God in a whole newway through the love and interaction they have withcamp leaders and teachers. Throughout the yearsthousands have been born again or have rededicatedtheir lives to the Lord, impacting their communitiesand families. Eighty percent of the children thatattend these summer camps hear the Gospel for thefirst time! Your prayers are making a difference in thelives of the next generation in Eastern Europe!Help be a nation changer by sponsoring one childor youth at camp for $30. Youth Conferences Along with the summer camps for children, each year conferences for the youth are held. Many young adults have responded to the call of God on their lives and their desire to live Holy lives apart from the world. We had the opportunity this past year to minister to young people at a youth conference in Vulcanesti, Moldova (top left). Many young people came to the Lord with God’s help, repenting and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and dedicating themselves to work in the end time harvest. We also worked and ministered along side the national missionaries in Vaslui, Romania where many young people came and received the Lord. Some of the young people who used to work in foreign countries came back to their Christian families crying to the Lord to have mercy on them. Just as the prodigal son coming back they were coming and asking genuinely for forgiveness. We are so thankful that the young are still responding to the Gospel, repenting and believing in   the Lord Jesus Christ. 11

Annual Bible ProjectBibles are a vital part of the GMI ministry. With so many annualevents such as summer camps, conferences, evangelistic meetings,baptisms and chance encounters there are countless opportunitiesto place the Good News into the hands of those who are seekingthe Lord. Often times they must wait until funds are available toput one into their hands, as the national missionaries cry out forbibles to give to the lost and hurting. Our desire is to give a bibleto help new converts in their journey of knowing God. We want toreach every generation with the bible, from little children to theelderly.We are so very thankful for our friends and partners who makethese available and have helped us to continue to be able tominister to these precious souls in a wonderful and greater way.We thank God for His continued provision for His powerful and life-saving Words of Truth.You can put the Good News message into the hands of the lostfor just $8.00 each.Annual Shoe ProjectFor many years, our friends and partners havehelped us to put new winter boots and summersandals on thousands of children’s feet. Notonly the children at the orphanages, but thosewho are in large families that cannot afford newshoes, as well as the elderly, widows and poor.Many who live in the rural areas have novehicles and must walk or ride in an open horsedrawn wagon wherever they go. Some travelseveral miles to attend church. Families thathave many children are especially challengedand unable to purchase warm boots for all, sothey are forced to share their pairs of boots orshoes, taking turns to go to church. It is hard toimagine this in the states, but for too many inMoldova, which is the poorest nation in Europe,it is a harsh reality.Our annual goal is to provide 500 pairs ofquality leather shoes or boots at a cost of $30per pair. A dear brother in the Lord, who ownsa shoe manufacturing company in Moldova,provides these to us at cost. Purchasing thesesame quality boots in the U. S. and shippingthem to Eastern Europe would double or triplethe cost after having to pay taxes on themcrossing the borders.The joy on their faces when they receive thesenew shoes or boots is worth all the effort. Maythe   Lord continue to bless this vital project! 12

Assistance For Widows “Pure and undefiled religion is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27 Ghiorghi and Cristina have a heart of compassion for the forgotten elderly who have been placed in nursing homes. For the last decade, our friends and partners have co-labored with us to help their lives be more comfortable. The struggling facility in Stefanesti, Romania has always been under-funded and we have, with the Lord’s help been a blessing to them whenever possible. Throughout the years and with your help, we have provided them such things as clothing, food supplies, new mattresses and beds, reading glasses and the love of Jesus Christ through simple hugs and prayer. They are so very appreciative of all that is done for them and most importantly they listen with open hearts to the Gospel each time we visit.  The widows and elderly still residing intheir homes must live on a monthlyincome of $25 - $40 per month. Onegroup of elderly ladies in Sculeni, Moldovameet together every day for intercessoryprayer, expressing their thankfulness andpraying for those whom they may nevermeet who provide for them. They do notmoan or complain about what they don’thave, but express thanksgiving andgratitude for the little they do havebecause of our partners who support thisongoing cost. GMI provides wood, coaland basic food staples on a regular basisbecause of the help of those who have aheart for the elderly, poor and widowed.Sister Nina (bottom right) who has beenparalyzed and bedridden for 9 years,being taken care of by her 84-year-oldmother has had difficult times during thewinter and last year we found her with anadult diaper almost frozen to her. We areso very thankful to all of our partners whoprayed and gave towards providing themwith a new stove (bottom left), four newwindows and a new door to keep the heatin   side during the harsh European winters. 13

Rehabilitation Centers “But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:57 Because of our faithful friends and partners sowing into this vital project, God is doing great things in two rehab centers in Moldova and Transnistria. What a great excitement to see people continually changed by the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, transforming their lives under the leadership of Pastors Anatol and Sasha. The men learn how to become self- sufficient by farming and raising animals, such as rabbits and goats. One of the centers is now not only self-sufficient, but also provides food for local people in need. The center in Bender, Transnistria is still in need of new beds as you can see in the picture bottom right.Feeding ProgramsGMI gives basic monthly foodstaples to around 50 familiesresiding in the areas surroundingthe Iasi headquarters in Romania(top right), who live on only $60 -$80 per month. Not only arefamilies being fed in Iasi, but alsochildren are being fed in Puhoi,Moldova through the ministry ofPastor Ion Leca and his wife Tatiana.(bottom right) We are so verythankful to our partners who helpsupport these vital food programseach month and assist us inshowing the love, hope and GoodNews of our Lord and Savior, JesusChrist.   FINANCIAL POLICY U. S. HEADQUARTERS IASI, ROMANIA HEADQUARTERS: Your love gifts support Gospel Ministries Int’l, Inc. Ghiorghi and Cristina Cazacu PO Box 661 Str. Aleea Mihail Sadoveanu Nr. 51 Gospel Ministries Belleville IL 62222 700490 Iasi Romania International, Inc. and Phone/Fax: (618) 239-0215 Email: [email protected] Phone/Fax: 011-40-232-210-665 its affiliates around the Website: www.gmii.org Cell: 011-40-744-563-948 world. GMI will 1144   Office Email: [email protected] Cazacu Email: [email protected] endeavor to honor donor gift designations. However, when the designation is not aligned with the mission and dpor o  njoecrstsagorfeeGMthIa, toGrMifI a need has already been met, may use the funds in the area(s) of greatest need.

GMI Gift Catalog Church Building Projects National Missionaries Your gift in any amount is greatly appreciated and Your gift in any amount would help our brothers is very appreciated to help and sisters in Christ to have a pastor, missionary or a comfortable place to evangelist to continue worship. preaching the Gospel.   Annual Shoe Project Bible Project Just $30 will purchase a pair of wool fur lined You can put the Good leather boots or summer News message into the shoes for the orphans, hands of the lost for just poor, widows and elderly. $8. Bibles are a very vital part of our ministry. Feeding Programs Firewood Your gift in any amount would help give the poor Your gift in any amount and destitute monthly food would help the poor and staples at food programs in widows to have a warm Iasi, Valea Seaca and Puhoi. house during the harsh European winters. School Supplies   Just $50 would help Youth and Children Summer Camps children have a new backpack and school Please consider sponsoring supplies. Families with one or more children or several children make it youth at the cost of $30 difficult to provide these each? What a wonderful much needed supplies. opportunity to reach them now instead of in the prisons and rehab centers. Please mail this form to: PO Box 661, Belleville, IL 62222 GIFT FORM ☐ Project ______________________or ☐ General Love Offering Online love gifts can be made securely on our website – www.gmii-romania.org Name _______________________________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________ State __________________Zip ____________ Credit Card #_______________________________________ Experiation Date: ________________________ Check Credit Card Used: ☐MasterCard ☐Visa ☐Discover ☐American Express $ ___________________ Amount Of Your Gift Signature __________________________________________ ☐ ☐ ☐Phone # ________________________________ Check one One-Time Monthly Quarterly   Check what method you wish to receive our monthly newsletter: ☐ Snail Mail ☐ E-mail If you would like to set up a donation by electronic check, please contact our office at (618) 239-0215 15

  Non-Profit Org.   U. S. Postage PO Box 661 PAID Belleville IL 62222 Permit No. 416 Scan the QR code with your Belleville, ILSmartphone to visit our website. PO Box 661, Belleville, IL 62222 ~ (618) 239-0215 ~ [email protected]   Visit our website at www.gmii.org