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Mission and Outreach - Europe
NPC Strategic Relationships > Moldova

MOLDOVAN OUTREACH:
Bethany Baptist Church in Belts,
The College of Theology and Education in Chisinau,
and other Outreach Ministries.

Since the early 1990s, NPC has had a close relationship with the Bethany (Vifania) Baptist Church in Belts, Moldova, and with the College of Theology and Education (an evangelical seminary) in Moldova’s capital Chisenau. Bethany Baptist is approximately the same size as NPC,. It ministers to its members in many ways and has a very active evangelism program that reaches out to the city of Belts (180,000 population) and to many of the neighboring communities in the countryside.

The church grew so much in the 1990s that by 2002, there grew up five congregations where there earlier was one. One part uses the original building, and one part moved into a new, larger sanctuary completed in 2001. Both these congregations have services in Russian and Moldovan (Romania) twice on Sunday and also during the week. The other three are farther away.

NPC has also had a variety of contacts with the College of Theology and Education, which was founded in 1994 by one of Bethany’s former pastors, Valeriu Ghiletchi. The College of Theology and Education (earlier known as the Trinity Theological Institute), is the first Protestant seminary for pastors and lay leaders in Moldova. The seminary is located in Moldova's capital Chisenau and began its first classes in the fall of 1994. The seminary annually trains 20-30 pastors and missionaries in residence and an additional 70 pastors and 150 laymen in an extension program

Most recently, NPC has been focusing its involvement with Moldova to deal with leadership development of young people, strengthening of young marriages, and outreach to teenagers. In this regard, much of NPC’s current work in Moldova is pursued in conjunction with New Hope International, a ministry with a strong outreach among families and young people. NPC and New Hope, which expanded its operations into Moldova from Romania in the early 2000s, are discussing ways in which NPC partners in Moldova can be effectively served by cooperation with New Hope staff. NPC is exploring ways that it can enrich both its relationship with Moldova and with New Hope.


Reverend Valeriu Ghiletchi is the Founder and former Dean of the College of Theology and Education in Chisenau. Ghiletchi was a member of the Moldovan Parliament in 1999-2000, then was Bishop of the Baptist Church, the highest authority of the Baptist Church in Moldova. Ghiletchi held that post until 2010, when he was elected to the Parliament again.  Ghiletchi is still involved with the College and is one of NPC's principal points of contact in Moldova. Ghiletchi has visited NPC numerous times.



The main building of the College of Theology
and Education.


Map of Moldova (click to enlarge)

 


NPC short-term workers gather with their Moldovan hosts outside the Bethany Baptist Church.

 


Interior view of the Bethany Church. Nearly all services in the present building are full beyond capacity.

 

Contacts:
Valeriu Ghiletchi
str. Hijdeu 94
Chisenau, MD 2001
Republic of Moldova

Office: (373-2) 541-034
Home: (373-2) 465-461

 

Students listen prepare for a lecture at the College.


Pray for:
  • Wisdom and strength for people in leadership at the church and in the seminary
  • Bible studies for all ages at Bethany Church and for the seminary in Chisenau
  • For a spirit of cooperation among the Christian groups and churches in Moldova
  • The political and economic difficulties of Moldova.
  • Spiritual and material needs of the College
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