Favian Ioel Poputa leads a team of young evangelists with Steiger in Romania.
When did you trust Christ?
Growing up in a Christian family, I always believed in God, but at age 17, I made a conscious decision to follow Christ and was baptised. While I understood the importance of faith at that time, my understanding of Christ's sacrifice and grace deepened significantly when I was 20.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
My family was the first to show me what faith means, and from an early age, I saw miracles in my life. God spoke to me personally or through people, and I understood His calling on my life while at the Steiger Mission School. There, I realised I needed to start a team of radical followers of Jesus to share the Gospel with young secular adults in Romania. This has led to the greatest growth in my faith.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I want to be better equipped to evangelise, better prepared for conversations with secular intellectuals, and to grow as a teacher. I also feel called to pursue academia, and I am planning to do a master's in theology, so I am better equipped intellectually with the right tools to be a Christian voice in the secular world. Having the chance to be mentored in apologetics is a great opportunity for my growth and to impact the next generation here in Romania and wherever God sends me. I am willing to go wherever is needed.
What is your ministry?
I am currently leading a team of young evangelists with Steiger International. Our mission is to reach and disciple our city's global youth culture and be a good bridge for them to join a church and use their gifts, so that we will see our culture changed for Jesus.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I began leading in my church's home groups, where I have been active for a few years. With another leader, I led our church's youth ministry, then started building and leading the missionary team in our city.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
The work we do in Romania right now is pioneering. Thousands of young people in the church have never been mobilised or shown how to reach their own friends, let alone their city. Every city in Romania needs teams with zeal to see their city saved for Jesus. We have already had an impact in the two years since we started, and I want to know how to handle the momentum.
