SWAT REPORT # 19
PHILADELPHIA CHURCH AGE REVISITED
I have often daydreamed about ministering for the Lord back in the Philadelphia
church age times. Back when times were slower, things were fewer, and life was simpler in
our country of America. Maybe ride a horse, albeit I do not enjoy the horse part,
into the middle of a rural community…get out the accordion…sing some gospel
songs…gather a crowd…preach some and gather the fruit into God’s barn for
later processing. Who, in the Lord’s service has not fantasized such an
experience?
Yesterday, this privileged servant realized such an adventure. Following
our NORMAL street meeting at the train station where we saw two souls saved in
publick, 15 of our church folk, including the Chuck Zander family of seven, struck out on
what ended up to be an adventure of a lifetime. We drove about an hour to a village
from which several men have visited our church…we were moved to hold an impromptu
street meeting with accordion, banner, songs and preaching and a parade down the center of
the village which caused heads to pop out windows and gates and a novel interest in this
normally sleepy community. Three male new creatures were born out of this thrilling
adventure and we went on our way rejoicing.
RACOS VILLAGE
We pressed on to visit a village from which many of our gypsy children journey
two hours on the train many Sunday mornings to come to our children’s hour.
Ramona, featured in many of Bro. Logan and my reports is from this village. After a
5 mile drive off the main road over, through, and into potholes, any one of which would
send you to the nearest alignment shop…we began our march into this remote village,
incredibly impoverished, yet rich with picturesque surroundings. My accordion drew
much attention, as did 15 strange city folk boldly disturbing this serene world.
About a hundred folk gathered in front, on the sides and followed us to a wide spot
between the hovels. As we sang, tears were evident both on the hearers and
singers. Bro. Logan stepped up and, assisted by the great gift of interpretation
given to Andrew began to minister the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with
great skill. The warmth of the Holy Spirit was pleasant to our spirits as was the
sun to our backs. He pressed for a decision…further pleading came from
Dan, one of our Romanian preachers, and the crowd began to stir. Many women and children
came forward and bowed the knee to Our Great King and Saviour. Bro. Logan gave
detailed instructions and lovingly shepherded them to their new pasture in Christ.
Scanning the crowd before us, I noticed that, although many men were listening, none had
responded. And although a great harvest had been evidenced before our very eyes, I
was burdened to challenge the men in this setting. Through Andrew, I preached bold
words to these timid sons of men. “The Bible says, the Lord looked for a
man…and He found none…I too have looked for a man among these who have
responded…and I too have found none…Is there no men in this community who see
their need to be saved…It took great courage for these women and children to come
forward, bow on their knees, humble themselves before this village and the Lord…they
have been rewarded with salvation and eternal life…MEN who care for your
souls have come a great distance…MEN have sung and preached to you
today…A MAN died for your sins on the cross…Is there one man courageous
enough who would join me on my knees here now…is there one…is this community
empty of a man with courage equal to these women and children?” Suddenly, I
felt a body fall beside and against me…looking to my right, a man had boldly dropped
to his knees…as a reflex I put my arm around him and drew him close in an
embrace…strengthened and embolden, I pressed the challenge… “Is there
another…another man who sees his need?” Bro. Logan called my attention to
my right side where I watched 7 grown men fall to their knees to answer the call. I
squeezed a bit more and then introduced them to their new life in Christ. I rose and
began to hug the men…strange, my first greeting of these gypsy men on this distant
planet would be a hug between two brothers in Christ…the total count for the harvest
in this village was 24…overwhelmed with tearful joy we all promised to return soon to
teach them in the ways of the Lord and started toward the cars. A pleading woman ran
to us with an urgent request to come and pray for her dying husband…Bro. Zander,
accompanied by Andrew, entered the abode of a man who was literally taking the final
breaths of his life. Amidst much pain…this miserable man in his mid forties
called upon the Great Physician with whom he is soon destined to have an
appointment.
I don’t know what thrill Bill Gates had yesterday but I feel
certain is was dull compared to the experience of this preacher who was allowed to go back
in time to an age when the gospel still moved in simple people’s hearts. Robin,
Mary, and I all count it the highest privilege and honor to be in the employ of our Great
God and Saviour Jesus Christ and to be stationed here in Romania…the center of his
will and blessing for our lives.
MOLDOVA
It has always been part of the design of our ministry here to be able to travel
to other countries in eastern Europe to evangelize, teach, and establish souls and to be
an encouragement to other missionaries in the area. Such was my privilege and duty
this past weekend. Chuck Zander and three of his fine sons joined me in a ministry
journey to the country of Moldova. One of the outstanding missionaries of our time,
Paul Hamilton, was our host and his wife our most fine hostess. Together we
ministered in teaching in Bro. Hamilton’s Bible institute, preaching in his churches
and holding street meetings in the capital city of Chisinau. Paul Hamilton is to be
credited with a great deal of courage for this bold act which might have cost him a great
deal. It still might cost him in the future but at least on this occasion we
observed no other response but novelty on the faces of the many folk in the market.
Although I have ministered in some eight former communist countries in eastern
Europe, this was my first time to preach in a country that is presently governed by the
great rapist of human dignity and individuality…Communism. It was yet one more
great adventure and experience in the rich life of this humble servant of Our Great
King.
If you suffer from dry, dull, routine, mundane but comfortable service in the
material-ridden west…why not put in for a transfer to the eastern front.
Serving
with you, but on the eastern front
Gerald Sutek
