Faith Baptist Church of Swansea has established a church in Romania by purchasing a building for Christian gypsies to use as a place of worship.
Pastor Fedor, back left (wearing sunglasses), and members of Basilica Baptista de Credenza in the village of Hasdate, Romania.In 2008, Faith bought a building in the village of Hasdate with a down payment of $30,000. Two subsequent payments were made – the last on Sept. 30 – to finalize the purchase.
Cornel Fedor, pastor of two other Baptist churches in the nearby villages of Valle and Alunis, has been leading the church at Hasdate and has baptized 17 believers. More than 50 adults and more than 30 youth and children are meeting at the church.
A group from Faith Baptist was to travel to Hasdate in late September to sign the final transaction papers and hand the building over to Emanuel Ministries of Romania.
Several Faith Baptist members took a trip to Romania in early August for a medical mission. (The group included Emma Lee Lucas, Angel Snyder, Barbara Raulerson, Stacy James, Laura Jumper, Cathy Carter, Mike Sandy, Royce Nichols, Carroll Derrick, Gerald Furtick, and pastor David Carter.) They conducted medical screenings, preached in village churches, made house calls on widows and widowers, and witnessed the official naming of the Hasdate Church: Basilica Baptista de Credenza (Faith Baptist Church of Hasdate).
“We are truly blessed to be given this opportunity by God,” said Carter.