From Roma "Problem" to Roma Revival

Before John and Daralena Bean arrived on the mission field for the first time, they read about the “Roma problem” in Slovakia. The Roma (sometimes referred tp as Gypsies) are a marginalized people who migrated to Europe from India about 1,000 years ago and are traditionally associated with poverty, substandard living conditions, and high crime rates. Estimates place nearly 450,000 Roma living in Slovakia, and their relationship with local communities - including churches - is tenuous at best. John and Daralena soon discovered the articles they read had not prepared them for the reality they were about to experience.

“We weren’t prepared for the sights and the horrific conditions the Roma people were living in,” recalls John, “but when we had the chance to experience it, we knew immediately why God had called us to the country of Slovakia.” From that moment on, John and Daralena’s primary ministry focus became the Roma people.

At first, they were overwhelmed by the many needs within the community. Even basic things like clothing, food, and shelter were not readily accessible to most Roma. John and Daralena didn’t know where to begin, but they received a word from the Lord to “just love on them.” And that’s exactly what they did. They lived among the Roma - sitting around their tables, inviting them into their home, preaching their tables, inviting them into their home, preaching in their churches - and began to be accepted as family.

As their work expanded into more villages, God’s Spirit continued to move and John and Daralena found themselves in the middle of a rapid spread of the gospel. Now this move of God is reaching into Roma communities in other countries. As revival continues, many young people are coming to Christ and being called into the ministry and churches are being planted, including one in the largest Roma settlement in Slovakia.

The “problem” John and Daralena now face isn’t anything like they initially expected. Their challenge is discipling a growing Christian movement with little to no supporting infrastructure. They work in 18 villages, hosting youth camps and bridging the relationship between Roma and Slovak church communities. John and Daralena wouldn’t have it any other way. “These are exciting times, and Daralena and I feel like we are in the greatest mission field in the world. We love where God has placed us. May we continue to be faithful to the call.”

Inspiring Stories of Refugee Life Change Through Christ

Today we now focus on three individual stories from Europe missionaries who are working to engage with the refugee movement. As we continue to follow the Great Commission, we remember the words of Christ, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” (Matthew 25:35-36 NIV)

Due to the sensitive nature of these stories, certain names and locations have been changed.

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Belgium

Missionaries Sam and Naomi are working with those who speak Arabic in the Brussels, Belguim area. Naomi has had the privilege of praying and counseling with a young Agfhani m*slim woman who related this testimony: “Bahoz was once incurably ill declared by his doctors. For twelve years, he suffered severe seizures every day. Exhausted and emaciated I found him in November....treatment costs and other problems put him on the street. One prayer in the name of Jesus Christ and he was healed completely. He's been attack-free for three months and shares this miracle that God has done in his life with the people around him. His brain scans don't show any trace of the epilepsy.” 

Sam also says: “We have had the privilege of helping to plant a new Pentecostal Arabic/Flemish speaking church in a city north of Brussels. We just heard recently that this new church plant (a little over a year old) which is bursting at the seams has decided to plant another new church about 10 miles away where 4 or 5 families are now attending and being taught! They are also active in street evangelism in other places.”

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France

In France, God has led one of our missionaries to create an economic opportunity for those affected by the migration. God has given a clear vision to open a café serving Middle Eastern dishes, run by refugees. It will offer catering, sandwiches and preparation of food for distributing to those still on the streets. AGWM personnel are currently taking classes on health and food safety in order to meet the French standards. A portion of the profits from the café will finance meals to be distributed once or twice a week to migrant camps in the Paris region by teams of volunteers. The café will also host migrant support workshops, including French classes, lessons on Parisian culture, job skills classes, and also continue to hold women's events.

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Austria

In Austria, one of our workers has planted a “refugee church” with several different nationalities, including Iranians, Afghanis, and Kurds. On average, around 70 refugees attend every Sunday, with several different discipleship classes leading them into a deeper relationship with Christ.  Five people are in an advanced discipleship course which is meant for those who feel called into the ministry. Throughout 2018, AGWM personnel report that 14 have been taken the step of water baptism, while 7 have been filled with the Holy Spirit. God has and will continue to do great things in this church!