Lucian George Rotaru is a pastor in Romania.
When did you trust Christ?
I decided to follow Jesus in 2002. I grew up in a Christian family and went to church every Sunday; however, I went out with my friends from Monday to Saturday and did whatever they did. One of my friends in the church was diagnosed with cancer and eventually died from it. He trusted in Jesus for salvation a few months before dying. After his death, I was angry at God for not healing him. After three months, I got tired of living with no purpose and asked Jesus to change my heart and give me the strength to stop sinning. God changed my life, and I started to read the Bible. I got baptised the following month.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
The experience with my friend's cancer described above was life-changing. Also, attending youth camps had a significant impact on my life. Counselling my brother, who divorced in 2007, helped me become aware of my limits and study more about God's grace. Getting married and becoming a father also changed my life. In addition, I had a handful of mentors who invested time and effort to help me grow. Finally, I attended a master's program, where I understood the need for a ministry vision and a program in preaching and leading; both experiences helped me grow.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
The Forum will give me better connections with people and a fresh determination to invest in young leaders and multiply small groups through discipleship. It will also help me be more effective by clarifying my job. I hope to connect with other European leaders and be inspired to lead better.
What is your ministry?
I am the Lead Pastor of a 200-member church; I lead the board meetings, preach, and lead the department of education in our church. I also lead the small group ministry and train leaders. I am also part of a Christian association (ProLider) that trains leaders in discipleship nationally for our denomination.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I was part of a team of three responsible for leading the youth in our church. After graduating from seminary, I managed a Christian radio station for five years. Then, I was an assistant pastor and had an executive role on the church's board. In 2018, I was elected as a board member and secretary in the committee that leads the churches in the southeastern part of our country.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
Investing in my ministry is investing in multiplication because I also invest in others and train them. I help leaders become better. This investment will benefit many communities and allow God's Kingdom to reach farther places and people.
