Dana Stanciu is a pharmacy resident and PhD student in Romania.
When did you trust Christ?
I was born into a Christian family. We went to church every Sunday, and I also used to go to Bible study and sing in the choir. I grew up following God's rules. My life changed after I left home to study pharmacy. I went through tough trials, and I suffered a lot. Still, I am very grateful for it because everything happened for a perfect reason; I have changed completely. This was when I realised how sinful I was, and I repented. I found my only hope in Jesus. In 2018, I decided I wanted to confess my faith publicly and get baptised.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
In the summer of 2017, I met a fellow Christian while visiting Belgium, and we discussed his testimony. Seeing such unshakeable faith touched me. I had never met someone with such a strong, pure, almost perfect connection with our Father. Something clicked inside my soul. This was the beginning of my change, the real starting point of my faith. I wanted to have the same unshakeable faith and follow God like never before. So many other situations and people impacted my faith, and this moment represents the beginning of my testimony.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I can say, from the bottom of my heart, that ELF has changed my life for the better. I have met so many wonderful people, and I have learned a lot from them and also from the meetings I had with my Network. It is so heartwarming to be able to have fellowship with people like you. I am a scientist and a Christian at the same time. And it is so difficult to find Christians in this type of environment! I felt so alone before ELF. I have also found scientific collaborators through ELF, and now we work together on research projects! What a joy! ELF is the best experience of my life yet, and I want to relive it as many times as possible if God allows it.
What is your ministry?
I started my PhD and currently teach and mentor students at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca. I am involved in two prayer ministries in my local church, TryAlpha ministry and AlphaYouth (I am part of the team, not a participant in the course). I am also the leader of a girls-only study group in my local church, where we discuss all aspects regarding spiritual growth, how to make disciples, how to lead others to Jesus, and how to share the Gospel. I also want to get more involved in sharing the Gospel in academia.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I am still young and have been a student for most of my life.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
I find bringing the Gospel into scientific work is a very delicate and complex matter. But with the help of God and other people willing to invest in my training and ministry, I want to bring those around me at the University closer to Him.
