Romania

Interested in developing your apologetic skills and receiving training from an experienced evangelist?Check out a special opportunity for Romania here!

Or there is a wonderful opportunity to work among International Students in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania. As well as visiting and helping groups in other cities.

What is Romania like?

Romania is the largest country in South-East Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Serbia and Hungary to the west and the Black Sea& Moldova  to the east.

Its hospitable and friendly people are spread around across the country living in big cities or villages, on the seashore, plains, hills or mountains.Coming out quite recently  from under communism, people love the idea of democracy which they have tried hard to obtain and maintain in the country. Despite the atheist propaganda of communist times, the strong Orthodox religious background and postmodern influences from the West, young people in Romania are searching for purpose and truth.

What is the present state of the work?

The national IFES movement in Romania, Organizaţia Studenţilor Creştini Evanghelici din România (OSCER), was recognized by the government in 1999. But OSCER has a longer history of students sharing the gospel with their friends, even during communism.

The main focus over the past years has been on reaching  Romanian students and we have a lot of encouraging stories to share. However, with more and more international students coming to the main University Centers to study Medicine, Engineering, Computer Sciences etc. as long term students, as well as many Erasmus students in our midst, came the desire to  begin an International Student Ministry (ISM). Starting with the previous academic year a small ISM group has been formed in Bucharest and other initiatives around  the country have been encouraged. As the needs in the field exceed what can be done, OSCER is looking for help in reaching more International Students. Most of the students coming here speak English, even if some will learn the Romanian language in order to study. So if you can read this you are at least 50% qualified to join us in Romania in reaching these International students! The exciting thing is that most of these students come from countries closed to the Gospel and after studying they will return home! How great to be involved in equipping missionaries to go back home and be ambassadors for Christ, in many places that you could never go!

If you would like to help in sharing the Gospel  among Romanian students, there is always space to be involved with the local OSCER groups, either in pioneering work or in helping smaller city groups to grow. For this it will be necessary to learn the Romanian language and would be helpful to consider staying longer so you can be part of the real Romanian adventure.

What about accommodation, living costs, courses, jobs?

When you come to work in Romania, the OSCER staff will help you find suitable accommodation. This can be possible prior to your arrival or shortly after. In Bucharest the rental costs together with your monthly living expenses can reach around 500 EUR/month, but it can be cheaper by sharing a flat.

Ministry expenses will depend on your main focus but on average you will need between 120-150 EUR/month To all this you will need to add the cost of  health insurance.

What special requirements are there for joining InterAction in Romania?

The OSCER team expects you to raise your own financial support for living and serving in  the country, but are willing to help in the process.

The language learning is mandatory if you want to be involved with the Romanian students.