Missionary Opportunities in the Literature Work in Romania

“Believe in the LORD your God, and so you shall be established. Believ

If we wish to be successful in the work of God, we must obey the counsel and recommendations given by His prophet regarding the most efficient methods and ways to forward His work. In biblical history, the people of Israel experienced victory whenever their attitude toward the prophet’s message was receptive and positive. Today it is the same.

The prophet of our days, Ellen G. White, through her inspired writings, among all the other missionary methods, encourages two methods which come to light in a very distinguished way. These are medical missionary and literature evangelism.

In Romania, her recommendations are followed. The literature evangelism is closely connected with the medical missionary work. The 170 literature evangelists are also health instructors working with the Health, Education and Family Association which collaborates with the Department of Public Health of the Health Ministry. The literature evangelists are supported and accredited to hold programs for the improvement of public health. Thus, by the providence of God, the base for a beautiful and efficient work has been established by which the literature evangelists exert an influence on the Romanian community towards a healthy lifestyle.

From door to door – When the literature evangelists reach people in different places, they first offer free medical tests (blood pressure readings and cholesterol tests), give advice regarding a healthy lifestyle, and then present the books as explaining the solutions to the needs. The LEs wear lab coats and announce their visit several days prior by posting advertisements with the details regarding the health campaign scheduled to take place in the area. In this way, many doors and many hearts are opened.

Health booths – These booths are placed in public places: markets, parks, crowded areas, supermarkets, and tourist places (beach and mountain resorts). People can come and benefit from free medical tests and literature offers. The health booths are placed in visible and accessible places, like “Embassies of Heaven”, where they are giving a selfless service, caring for the needs of people, and winning their confidence and trust. Many people leave with precious books containing the principles of a better life.

Public seminaries – Seminars are programs for the improvement for the health of the employees working in various institutions. A program consists of a seminar about the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, medical tests and a brief explanation about the books which the employees may purchase. The majority of the institutions are receptive to such seminars and offer the use of their conference rooms for free and send their employees to take part in the program. In some places there are dozens, hundreds, even thousands of people who participate in several of these sessions. The number of literature evangelists and volunteers who are part of the team is established by the length of the seminar and the number of participants. Town halls, banks, court houses, schools, military units, police, various factories and firms, and even many churches of other denominations opened their doors and were receptive to the health message.

We praise God for these opportunities to be able to reach the community, to present the principles of the Gospel, and for the thousands of publications which get to the people and are spread as the “leaves of fall”, serving as the leaves of the tree of life for the healing of the nations in their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

With joy and gratitude towards God, we realize the way in which the spreading of literature is interwoven so efficiently with the missionary work. Truly it is worth following the inspired counsel of the prophet.

Finally, I would like to mention the blessing that we experienced during the Romanian Literature Evangelists Congress in September, 2007 with the motto: “Almost Home”. The employees of the Life and Health Publishing House and the printing house had the opportunity to meet the field employees of the publishing house and literature evangelists who shared their experiences. Many of them introduced various guests who are living testimonies about the fruit of this work.

As an illustration of intertwining these branches of missionary activity, we were happy to have Elder Wilmar Hirle, the Associate Director of the Literature Evangelists Department and Elder Allan R. Handysides, the Director of the Health Department, both from the General Conference. They both gave encouraging spiritual messages. Also, the importance of this work has been emphasized by the presence of the local union representatives and of the presidents of the conferences.

This was an occasion for expanding our vision, of rededication and motivation to reach quickly the goal of finishing God’s work through the spreading of many publications so we can go home soon. Maranatha!

Mihai Goran,
Literature Evangelism Director


 

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