Steve and Rosie relocated with their two daughters to Cluj-Napoca in December 2020. They are working with the Tóvidéki congregation of the Hungarian Reformed Church in outreach ministry to English speakers in the city.
The Tóvidéki Church congregation have a vision “To become a welcoming, joyful fellowship of believers building the kingdom of God”, and their vision is citywide. Steve is involved in preaching, teaching and the observance of Sacraments; organising gatherings for prayer and fellowship; developing pastoral care; and work amongst students. Rosie is involved in developing the outreach ministry, as well as initially settling family and focussing on language skills. Steve and Rosie will also be developing opportunities with IKE, the youth board of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Transylvania. Outside of their formal roles, Steve and Rosie are engaged in incarnational mission as they live and work in the city.
Transylvania has for many centuries been a region where multiple ethnicities and cultures reside alongside each other. The Tóvidéki Church congregation has for some time sought to build bridges through providing simultaneous translation of worship services from Hungarian into both English and Romanian, as well as welcoming mission teams from a range of countries. English language provides a connection point for many different groups in Cluj, and a ministry began in 2008 to reach out across the city through this medium.
Steve and Rosie have a passion to see the gospel reach far and wide across the city, and so are excited to be invited to be part of the relaunch of this ministry.
They write, "We have a deep belief in seeing disciples of Christ grow in their faith and missional outlook in day-to-day life, and are passionate about the organic growth of the church through relationships, hospitality , welcome and worship. We are excited about the connections we are making in the church, but also through family, school and community life."
Steve previously worked in business for 20 years before entering training for the ministry at Union Theological College in September 2014. He was actively involved in music and worship at the family's home congregation of Orangefield. Most recently, he served as Assistant Minister at Kilbride Presbyterian Church.
Rosie grew up in East Africa as her parents served as missionaries in Uganda. She returned home in 1991 to continue education, and worked in a number of administration roles, including in Belfast Bible College. Most recently, she worked as a SEN Classroom Assistant in Belfast.
Steve and Rosie have two daughters: Julia who began secondary education in September 2020 and Lucy who is primary age.
Digital Dispatches
Steve and Rosie record short 3 minute video clips every few months which can be downloaded and used in church services, prayer meetings or events to raise awareness and prayer for what God is doing across the world, as we seek to go deep and wide in global mission involvement.
(For previous Digital Dispatches video clips click here)
Latest Report
May 2024
Our experience over the last few years of ministry in Romania is that God is often working in ways and in places that we do not see at first, but He reveals to us graciously. This month we are seeing how God is doing new things: in the life and ministry of our family; in both Northern Ireland and in Romania.
The month of May begins with us in Northern Ireland for a short 5-day trip, making preparations and arrangements ahead of Steve’s installation as minister of Enniskillen Presbyterian Church on 17th May. This is an exciting time, with much to be organised, and we find ourselves thankful every day for how God is going before us into the practical arrangements, as well as preparing our hearts for this new chapter.
At the same time, we find that God is not yet done with us in Cluj-Napoca! Towards the end of April, we began a Youth Alpha programme in partnership with Biserica Poarta Regelui, which will run on Friday evenings until mid-June.
Five girls attended the opening night, and there was a deep sense of the Holy Spirit with us as we discussed questions of life and faith. We were so impacted by the openness of those attending, and their excitement to invite others to join. In particular, our daughter Julia has been using this as an opportunity to reach out to some of her school friends.
With Steve’s installation, we will begin a two-month period as a separated family: Steve in Enniskillen, Rosie and the girls in Cluj-Napoca. While this will no doubt have its challenges, we trust in God’s faithfulness to keep us connected, and together held in the hollow of His hand.
Prayer Points
Give thanks for:
- Continued opportunities for fruitful ministry in Cluj-Napoca, and for the Youth Alpha programme.
- For the journey towards Enniskillen Presbyterian Church, and for the warm welcome already received.
Please pray:
- For us as a family, as we prepare for another transition, and contemplate a period in separate countries.
- For all the logistics of the move to Enniskillen, and in particular for the finding of suitable schooling for the girls for the next academic year.
- For Biserica Poarta Regelui as they take leadership of the Youth Alpha programme, and as they also undertake a shift in emphasis in their current Sunday evening gatherings. Pray for Carmel and Ioana and their Core Team as they grow together.
- For Steve as he is installed in Enniskillen on 17th May, and settles in to getting to know the congregation.
To download a printable PDF of this bulletin or for a previous bulletin visit the Mission Reports listing at the top or the Global Mission monthly bulletin archive.