MISSIOLOGICAL

CONFERENCEIN MOLDOVA

MARCH22-232013

We dreamed about such an event for many years, and here finally it happened.“ - by

these words Dr. Mihai Malancea, the academic dean of College of Theology and Education (CTE), completed his closing speech on March 22-23, 2013 on passed in Moldova Missiological conference on the topic: “Evangelical Mission in the Eastern European Orthodox contexts: Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine” The theme of conference excited special in-terest among the pastors, church leaders, theologi-cal seminary teachers and leadership of the Union of Evangelical Christian-Baptist Churches in Mol-dova (UECBCM). This conference became possible with the support of CTE, “Beginning of the life” Organization and Bethany Church Chisinau. 135 participants from 16 countries of East-ern and Western Europe, Central Asia and North America, represented five denominations, 20

churches and 14 different organizations, among which there were the Oxford Center for Mission Studies (OCMS), International Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS), Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary, UECBCM, Youth for Christ, OM, World Vision and many others. The uniqueness of this conference stress several aspects. First of all we should say that it was the first conference of a similar level organized in Moldova, where in one same event were combined academic ap-proach and the examples of contextual realization of Evangelical mission in the orthodox context. One of the speakers on the conference and the rector of In-ternational Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS) Dr. Parush Parushev stated: “This conference became an outstanding event not only for Moldova, but also for the entire European Baptist Federation” Also, undoubtedly unique aspect of this conference was its interdenomi-nationality. Each of the speakers of the conference:

Dr. Parush Parushev, Dr. Johannes Reimer, Dr. Anne-Marie Kool, Dr. Bill Privette, Dr. Vladimir Ubeivolc,Dr. Danut Manastireanu, Piotr Kovaliv and Bogdan Jonesco presented different perspectives of the Evangel-ical mission in the orthodox context of Eastern Europe. This gave to listeners the possibility to see the exist-ing divercity in the unity of purpose, to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the world.

EVANGELICAL MISSION IN EASTERN-EUROPEAN ORTHODOX CONTEXTS: Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ucraine

MISSIOLOGICAL CONFERENCEIN MOLDOVA

MARCH2013

During two days of the conference, were high-lighted key aspects and facets of mission in the contemporary world. Each of the speak-

ers at the conference emphasized urgent need for the rethinking of personal spirituality, experience and approaches to the mission, turning to the his-tory of Evangelical mission, and also importance of dialogue with the representatives of other denomi-nations. Also cannot fail to note the uniqueness of the time of this missiological conference - critical historical moment, when Evangelical churches are conscious of that the old methods are no longer rel-evant, and new approaches are not still proposed by anyone. This confirmed the bishop of UECBCM Ion Miron, saying: “We understand that today the Union of churches in reality has no sufficiently adjusted rel-evant strategy. And we greatly wanted to sit down at the round table with the representatives of College of Theology and Education and together to develop theologically adjusted and missiologically directed relevant vision.” In the reports more frequently sounded such con-cepts, as rethinking and transformation. There was heard the call to church, to return to the original Christian witness, not only in a word, but by the acting participation and entire life in society. The graduate of CTE Andrei Kucheriavy admitted: “This is the first and thus far the only similar con-ference in my life, which forced me to think not only about the vision of our churches, but also about my own life.” Pastor of Golgotha church from the town Chadyr-Lunga Sergey Kusursuz said: “Thanks for the organi-zation of this conference. We obtained the materials, which are actually necessary for the vital activity of our churches”.Undoubtedly, this conference raised more questions, than answers; however, we are confident that such an event became a starting point for the establish-ment of the Center of Missiological Studies in Mol-dova. According to the results of the conference will be published the book, and presented information encourage us to start new research projects, that in the future may develop into a serious programs.

Org.Committee. Dr. M. Malancea, Dr. V. Ubeivolc, Dr. D. Sevastian.

EVANGELICAL MISSION IN EASTERN-EUROPEAN

ORTHODOX CONTEXTS: Bulgaria, Romania,

Moldova, Ucraine