The Good Shepherd in Transylvania

Transylvania in northern Romania is associated in most people's minds with Count Dracula and evil deeds. But through his church, God is reaching out in love to the socially-marginalised of this area.
Zoli, a recovered alcoholic from Romania, made the following remark: 'Here in my region, there is an ancient tradition of keeping alcohol in every household and forcing visitors to accept it. In daily life, there is hardly any occasion where drinking is not evident.'
Is Zoli exaggerating? Is it fair (or true) to think that perhaps a recovered alcoholic would naturally distort the truth to make his former addiction seem more plausible? May we assume that Zoli's statements might be an excuse for alcoholism? Or are his statements trying to shift part of the blame on society?
It is easy to misunderstand someone or assume incorrectly from a person's words. Zoli does not say that all households force alcohol on visitors nor that being drunk is a daily occurrence. Zoli is not giving an excuse for his former addiction. Rather, he is highlighting the reality that alcohol has an almost secret stranglehold on many lives in Romania. Alcoholism is a problem in Romania. Often it is disguised under traditions.

Love to the drunkard

Bonus Pastor Foundation (or BPF for short) is a Romanian-based Christian organisation, consisting of evangelical members of the Reformed Church of Transylvania. BPF's mission is to serve socially marginalised people with the love of Christ. This is depicted through their logo (the good shepherd returning with the lost sheep) and the literal translation of their official Hungarian name: Good Shepherd Organisation.
Dealing with alcoholism is not easy. Spending much effort searching for 'one lost sheep' brings priorities into question. Especially when that one sheep seems so reluctant to admit it is straying. Satan is skilled at manipulating truths and propagating judgmental attitudes.
The spiritual war against alcohol consists of two battles. Firstly, the bondage of sin and Satan's attempts to hold the soul of an alcoholic need to be confronted at an individual level. The straying sheep needs to be told: 'Excessive alcoholism equals sin.' The other battle is against the societal view that 'the problem does not exist' or at least 'that it is not that bad'. BPF uses Christ's power to overcome both hard hearts and traditions which Satan has been using for decades.

Gypsy children

Other ministry areas, for example to 'little gypsy children', often seem very attractive and exciting. Let us indeed thank God for the extremely worthwhile work among 'little gypsy children'. However, maybe it is appropriate to consider our 'attraction' to 'dirty alcoholics'. Do we experience joy or excitement when addicts like Zoli are pointed to Christ?
Some Christians misunderstand the urgency in highlighting the need that certain adults have for God in their lives. What has happened to the 'street children, orphans, little gypsy children' of one or more decades ago? Tender lambs might receive care and prayers, but what of these when they are straying sheep? 'Living water' is needed by disadvantaged lambs as well as stubborn sheep. To us, this is not always obvious. Thankfully, the Good Shepherd provides for all in the flock! Thankfully, BPF perceives this urgency.
God helps the needy, the desperate and less privileged. We can read this in many parts of the Bible, such as in Psalm 72.4: 'He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy.' (NIV). BPF staff view themselves as weak, needy people too. This team of 40 includes pastors, social workers, administrators, doctors, nurses and others training in ministry areas. They ask God to heal their own addictions and weaknesses, as well as those of their much-labelled 'clients'. Staff and clients view each other on a 'brother and sister' basis.

What is the future?

So what does Bonus Pastor Foundation exactly do? And what are its future plans?
The most defining characteristic of BPF is, as they call it, 'reading the Bible with your life'. The president and visionary of this Foundation, the Rev. Levente Horvath, exemplifies this. Prayer meetings and Bible devotions are priorities in the BPF office, at meetings and in their families. Staff challenge and love each other and are humble before our righteous God. Being 'renewed in godliness' is taken seriously. God uses their 'broken and contrite hearts' (Psalm 51.17) for his immediate glory and as a witness in their work and in the world.
Through therapy programmes and specialised camps, BPF reaches out to over 500 alcoholics and their families. At the camps, relevant Bible devotions, discussions, studies, prayers and testimonies challenge people struggling with alcoholism, other addictions and sins. God has converted many people when sin has been seriously considered and where God's love and power have overcome addictions. Camps for children of alcoholics are also part of BPF's holistic approach of Christ-like service.
Seven BPF support groups meet across Transylvania once or twice weekly. These provide for the spiritual and fellowship needs of recovered and recovering alcoholics and serve an outreach function. People attending are biblically challenged in their personal spiritual lives; practise this through interactions with others and relate the message of God within their Romanian society.
The vision and aim of Bonus Pastor Foundation extends even beyond the huge task of bringing the gospel to alcoholics and other addicts in Romania. There is a real need within Transylvania for reconciliation between ethnic Hungarians and other ethnic people. BPF workers are ethnic Hungarians, whose aim is the 'peace on earth' as announced at Jesus' birth.

Poverty and inefficiency

Many regions of Romania are poverty-stricken. This has resulted from inefficient work practices, poor skills and inadequate infrastructure being passed from generation to generation. These factors have combined with the native religious denominations who place little emphasis on good work ethic or 'investing God-given talents in the world'. Instead, religious superstition has been the order of the day. BPF aims to break this vicious cycle of material and spiritual poverty by providing practical training in areas such as farming, production and transport within an educational biblical context.

Missionary institute

Another BPF vision is that of a missionary institute. A need exists for pure, local Biblical training. Members of Romanian evangelical churches are searching for a theological seminary which upholds Calvinist teachings. BPF wishes to fill this gap. Planned areas of study include Hebrew, Greek, other foreign languages, addiction recovery, street children, church planting and foreign mission work.
Unlike many western countries, social services are almost non-existent in Romania. BPF's missionary institute and its graduates will be involved with spiritual and practical care and will therefore be highly regarded. This is a fantastic witness to the secular world.
Among Romanian Christians - graduates, theologians, artists and academics - burns a desire for a Christian-based study centre. The framework for Christian research already exists. BPF asks God for his assistance to realise the possibility of books, visiting lecturers, intellectuals and seminar forums to be organised through them.
The realisation for these visions is wonderfully possible through God's provision of a Renaissance castle located in a village called Ozd. The Romanian government has recently provided BPF with a 99-year lease on this rather ruined castle, its eight-hectare property and accompanying buildings. Necessary restoration work is already being undertaken on this site to enable it to serve as a location for the current recovery camps. Further renovation will be needed to enable the continued vision and expansion of BPF's work through this site.
Architectural plans have been drawn to utilise and convert the castle and other buildings for the practical and spiritual ministry. The current office, work locations and rented camp sites are really only suitable as a temporary situation for BPF's exciting expansion into God's kingdom work.

New creation

Romania is a country with very limited financial resources. BPF staff live on very low salaries, being wonderfully supported by God through Christian giving. Funds are urgently needed from outside Romania to allow continuation and expansion of God's work through BPF. Help is needed to enable 'the good shepherd' to reach out to 'the lost sheep' in Romania. The eventual aim is to develop this site into a self-sufficient centre. Please pray for the continued guidance of God for Bonus Pastor Foundation. Ask that our Lord may work the compassion, firmness and empathy of Christ in those from BPF who are ministering to alcoholics and others. Thank God for conversions of people like Zoli, who are now 'new creations'.
You may desire to learn more about the work of BPF. Stories of lives changed through Christ, recent therapy camps and spiritual challenges are available if you are interested. Regular newsletters are published.

Paul Jansen
Glengall Christian Centre,
3 Glengall Grove, London E14 3NE
Tel. 0171 987 4219,
E-mail: bouma@cix.co.uk