“Ukrainians are coming!” Can you imagine hearing those words and opening your church to refugees? That’s exactly what happened here at Biserica Baptistă Sfânta Treime. This church is located in Bucharest. It stands as a testament to faith in action.
Biserica Baptistă Sfânta Treime is a dynamic church with a rich history. It was founded in 1932. Since then it has planted over 26 other churches. This church is always seeking to fulfill the Great Commission. The Biserica Baptistă Sfânta Treime exists to glorify Christ. The church wants to make Him known in the community. They want to be present in daily life and public gatherings.
Cornel Boingeanu is the senior pastor. He is assisted by Octavian Baban Emanuel Dejeu Gabi Gheorghias and George Verzea.
But what are the values of Biserica Baptistă Sfânta Treime? It values the authority of Scripture. It proclaims and believes in its authority over personal life and the local church. The church values the centrality of the Gospel. They live communicate and apply the Gospel. This happens regardless of context or situation. Biserica Baptistă Sfânta Treime emphasizes making and equipping disciples. It believes this is not an option but a command.
The church values the local church. It considers it a community of people born again. This rebirth is through the work of the Holy Spirit. It values a kingdom mindset. The kingdom of God extends beyond the local church and its projects. Biserica Baptistă Sfânta Treime acknowledges the importance of fasting and prayer. They are the breath of the believer and the local church. It emphasizes cross-cultural missions. The church equips and sends disciples to the ends of the earth. This is to fulfill the command of Jesus. The church values planting churches. They want to plant churches that will in turn plant other churches. Biserica Baptistă Sfânta Treime commits to holistic ministry. It loves serves and values those around it.
Nelutu “John” Iubas serves as senior pastor of Holy Trinity Baptist Church. Just before the escalation of Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2022 he gave up his car business. He realized he had to fully commit to ministry. On the very day he was delivering his last car he received a call. Someone from his church had been contacted by people in Moldova. They needed places to send Ukrainian refugees. Iubas told them his church would be open to taking them in.
At that time the church only had two sofas. After a series of phone calls church members brought mattresses and bedding. They gathered everything needed to welcome the refugees. Ladies from the church prepared meals. Eventually Holy Trinity Baptist Church expanded beyond its walls. Additional buildings and sites were used including a campground with 105 beds. They have as many as 300 volunteers. Romanians Ukrainians and Americans all helped to care for refugees.
Even amidst hardship the members’ faith grew stronger. This church shows us what it means to live out faith. It means offering hope and help to those in need. Remember Biserica Baptistă Sfânta Treime. It is a beacon of light in Bucharest.