Ștefan Ilutan is a pastor in Romania.
When did you trust Christ?
I come from an Orthodox background and grew up in a very religious, churchgoing family. After applying to a Baptist high school, I started attending the Baptist church. My understanding of Christ and His calling was gradual, and after attending a Christian camp, I decided to surrender my life to Jesus. I was the only Evangelical Christian in my family, but by God's grace, my mother came to Christ two years later. A year after, my brother accepted Christ, and then, my father and grandparents became Christians the following year.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
My church pastor was the first and most powerful influence in my Christian life. He discipled me and was alongside me when I shared my calling to the ministry. My years under his supervision helped me understand and integrate my Christian walk into my daily life. Another critical time was when my family started to turn to Christ. Again, I saw God's immense power and mercy combined with the power of personal testimony. The professors I met at the Baptist Seminary in Bucharest were also a significant influence; some have been my mentors for more than ten years.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
ELF has been a wonderful encouragement for me in the ministry and a unique source of inspiration through the leaders, teachers, mentors, and all the resources it provides. It also allows me to connect with many leaders from around the world in the great work for the Kingdom.
What is your ministry?
I am the pastor of Șega Baptist Church, a growing city church. We prepare the next generations of believers through ministries that address the children, youth, and young families with the help and experience of the adult segment of the church. In addition, through our mission ministry, we equip those involved in serving others locally and internationally.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I graduated from seminary in 2007 and became a pastor. I received my master's degree in 2010 from Bucharest University, and in 2009, I also became the pastor of a newly planted church in a different neighbourhood of the same city. In 2012, I moved to Oradea, Romania and was elected pastor at Providența Baptist Church.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
As a church, we have a great opportunity to minister to young people and families who have moved to the area. We are developing new leaders for discipleship, Bible studies, youth ministry, and social outreach.
