Romanian pastor who resisted Communism to talk in Durban, PE and Windhoek

A leading Romanian pastor and scholar who stood up against the oppressive Communist regime in his country during the Cold War years, will share his experiences with Christians in South Africa and Namibia in May.

Dr Paul Negrut, who is often referred to as the ‘Billy Graham of Europe’ will talk at public meetings in Durban (May 6, 7 and 8), Port Elizabeth (May 9) and Namibia (May 12 and 13).

Negrut will be hosted by INcontext Ministries, a South African mission organisation whose ministry includes bringing out international speakers who have lived with the reality of persecution, and are able to share first-hand experiences and testimonies of what God is doing in ‘closed’ countries.

God triumphing
Whatever message he chooses to bring to South Africa, Negrut’s story is one of God triumphing over a Communist regime, bringing freedom to Romania after many years of oppression and hardship. Negrut was one of a group of Christians who stood up against the Communist government, at the risk of his own life and those of his family. After the fall of Communism, he was offered a position in the new democratic Romanian government, but chose instead to serve the Lord in ministry, believing that it was a higher calling than politics. Currently he is serving as vice-president of the Baptist Union of Romania and president of the Senate of Emmanuel University of Oradea, as well as a pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church, one of the largest evangelical churches in Europe today. In 1990, he received the “Torch of Freedom” award, presented by former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, while in 2000, the president of Romania made him a knight in the “Order of Faithful Service”.

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In addition to his PhD in theology, Negrut has a degree in clinical psychology. He is a renowned speaker and has many publications to his name, including a series of writings collected under the title, Faith’s Challenges. This collection includes, among others, the following articles: “Life as a Christian in Romania”, “Life under persecution”, “How God answered the prayers of Romania” and “Being ready to die for Christ”. He has a passion for mission and evangelism.

INcontext Ministries founder, Mike Burnard, who has 30 years’ international experience of visiting and encouraging members of the persecuted church writes: “This is a rare opportunity to learn from a servant of God who has seen both severe persecution and total freedom, and who can testify how the Lord has sustained and built His Church in both circumstances.

“While Romania and Communism may seem far removed from our day-to-day reality in 21^st century South Africa, Dr Negrut’s message of his Lord will be a message of our Lord – a God who is victorious, who calls us to a life of service, who equips His people, and who sends us out into our communities and the wider world with a message of life and freedom and hope.”

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The details for Negrut’s Southern Africa programme are:

Durban
Sunday, May 6 – 09h00:  Elim Community Church, Bluff
Monday, May 7 – 19h00:  Glenwood Community Church
Tuesday, May 8 – 19h00:  Glenwood Community Church
(All are welcome at these events)
There will also be a meeting for pastors and leaders as follows:
Tuesday 8 May—10h00:  Durban Country Club (limited space so bookings essential)
Contact:  Richard Baird:     Mobile 082 975 9295.
Home: 031 4663721    Email:  shepherdledlife@gmail.com

Port Elizabeth
Wednesday May 9 – 19:00:  St.John’s Anglican Church, Walmer

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Namibia:
Saturday, May 12 — 08h00 Breakfast Meeting Windhoek
Sunday,   May 13 – 09h30 Christian Family Church
Contact: Kobus Hanekom      Mobile:  081 256 3434
Email:   martyrsforchrist@iway.na