EGM Romania

“I shouldn’t have even been interviewed for the position, but God made it possible,” reflects Daniel Bruda, who today serves as national director for Every Generation Ministries in Romania. The Romanian EGM board had already decided to close the interviews when they were working through the process of hiring their first director but decided to make an exception so that Daniel could meet with them. 

Today, those board members are glad they made that exception. Energy, vision and determination have been hallmarks for Daniel’s ministry these last 10 years serving with EGM, and God has seen fit to bless Daniel’s efforts to build a team of respected volunteers, board members and staff members who bear the same marks. Under Daniel’s leadership, God has allowed this formidable team to build a strong ministry which today provides children’s ministry training resources for the nearly 8,000 evangelical churches in Romania. 

Under Daniel’s leadership, a Romanian team has created a beautiful 3 year children’s ministry curriculum on 3 different age levels. Romanians are known to be open to technological advances and web use is wide-spread, so the curriculum went online! That’s why today you can often see a Romanian children’s worker accessing the EGM-Romania website to refer to their lesson curriculum via a smart phone in the Sunday school classroom. Well-attended regional conferences regularly provide training for children’s workers and a big national conference is also being offered annually. Not only is the national conference completely funded by Romanians, it has been the birthplace for a missionary vision which today funds regular outreach to Romanian church leaders in Vienna, Austria and Chisnau, Moldova. 

Raised in the communist era by Christian parents, Daniel is no stranger to ministry trials and is not easily daunted, even in the somewhat challenging ministry environment of Romania. His focus just now is two-fold: to develop regional EGM leadership who will provide individualized coaching in children’s ministry and to develop the last bit of funding necessary so that the Romanian ministry will be 100% funded from inside Romania. 

By the way, there are two men with the last name of “Bruda” who serve with Every Generation Ministries and if that has confused you at times, you’re not alone! Daniel’s brother, Alex Bruda, serves as EGM’s Central Europe regional leader. Daniel lives in the city of Cluj with his wife, Nicoleta, and young daughter Cristiana. 

Joe Cox

Vice President of International Ministries 

Poland Leadership Development

Poland has a unique place in Every Generation Ministries’ history because it was the first country to begin the work of EGM. Among the many early contacts made by Daniel and Marla Watts in the beginning years of ministry was Agata Rysiewicz who stood out as one who had a special heart for children and for the Lord. Gifted as a teacher and a trainer, she quickly became involved in the Leadership Development ministry of EGM- Poland and began training children’s ministry leaders in the principles of the Model Children’s Worker from Deuteronomy 6:4-9. So many years later she is still going strong, not only teaching in various churches around Poland, but also in several college-level Bible schools located in various cities across the country. Agata stays current in children’s ministry by working with children weekly as well as writing curriculum and organizing children’s camps. One of the passions of her heart is training teenagers to become as assistant teachers at training camps. As these young people are catching the vision of children being transformed in Christ, Agata is ensuring that this generation will continue to serve in children’s ministry. One of the amazing results she’s seen at these children’s ministry training camps aimed at Polish teens is that teenagers (not only those from churched homes but also many from orphanages) are finding God’s plan for their lives. As you think of Agata, pray for protection as she travels much of the time, for times of refreshment and for her to continue to hear the call God has on her life to see children Transformed in Christ through His Church in Poland.

Francie Overstreet

Leadership Development Director

Teach people that are able to teach others as well

When writing to Timothy, his disciple, Paul encouraged him: “What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.”

(2 Timothy 2:2, ISV).

We believe that our calling is to make disciples, equipping them and sending them to equip others.  Almost every weekend, the experienced trainers from ReMa (The EGM ministry in Hungary) are meeting their students with Paul’s desire in mind. Every single participant is a proof of God’s love for the children. Every single graduation becomes a celebration and an opportunity to testify new beginnings in ministry.

This year ReMa has had 3 courses in the fall and 4 courses in the spring in 3 different cities in Hungary. 14 different churches are now equipped to have a transformational ministry to children. ReMa’s trainers are mostly volunteers, and dedicated relational teachers, called by God to this service.

The results are incredible! People are being equipped in a very professional way to become tools in God’s hands. If in the beginning they are shy and curious, they leave with boldness and courage, ready to serve God in their communities, to share the Gospel and make disciples among the children in a biblical way, adapted to culture, age and development level.

One of our current students shared with ReMa some of his thoughts during the training:

"The ReMa-course is a huge blessing to our church! It brings us, teachers, nearer to each other as well, and that increases our effectiveness in the ministry. I think the children enjoy coming to the Bible classes more; they became more open and so are we. Our message can have a bigger impact on their lives now."

Mike Zaharia

Central Europe Resource Team Director

Mexico Team Update

It was as if the entire room was energized and it was a feeling we would experience again during every encounter with the EGM-Mexico Baja team. They were teaching the Model Children’s Worker (MCW) at a camp called Agua Viva near Ensenada. Eric, Gabby, Leonora, Joni, Pati and Elva taught with serious purpose, but also with joy, laughter, creativity and great warmth. It is always an infectious training, inspiring attendees to see boys and girls come to live life with Jesus. Their hearts were and are clearly bound together by God’s heart for the children, but not just for the children in Baja. Their desire is to be used of God to see children transformed in Christ in all of Mexico and wherever else God might send them. So, they teach other children’s workers, write curriculum, strategically plan, train new leaders, serve in their church ministries to children, communicate God’s heart for children, PRAY and GO! Recently, Elva shared a story of a man that God was clearly calling to work with children, but he had not yet recognized that this was God’s plan for him. He had heard about God’s heart for the children, had even taken the MCW training, understood it, but thought it wasn't for him. Then God placed him in an unfamiliar situation; a fair for children, and God kept having children come to him for help. “My nose is bleeding”, “I fell down” and he was the one ministering to them. Then he heard the still, small voice of God’s call and embraced the call to see children transformed in Christ.

This is a very special and unique team. Please pray for them as they serve the LORD by modeling lives who seek to do God’s will on behalf of children.

Francie Overstreet

Leadership Development Director

To find out more about the EGM-Mexico Ministry CLICK HERE

When Every Generation Ministries began to investigate the possibilities of supporting the start of a national ministry in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we knew it wouldn't be simple.

But, God deeply loves the children of DRCongo, He has seen fit to overcome these many challenges and has fueled His vision through a small group of dedicated children’s workers in the community of Goma in Eastern DRCongo. After receiving training from EGM, a small band of Christian leaders decided to share the vision for biblical, transformational ministry with children by training others in their community. They began training one church team after another as well as coaching Sunday school teachers using their own money to travel and conduct the training seminars.

In November 2012, the “M23” group of rebels moved to control Goma where heavy fighting ensued. The battles have driven countless thousands out of their homes and to various refugee camps. Those who stayed behind suffered hunger and disease as supply chains were broken and clean water was unavailable. The EGM team prayed and waited for news of the Goma team and from various scraps of news eventually pieced together that the team was safe.

Following is an excerpt from a recent communication from one of those leaders:

Just to tell you that we are very well. God keeps us against many bad things. As you know, we have a goal to prepare the next generation which will make difference in Congo and the world in general. That's why in spite of the war and traumatic things we cannot stop. We have to go ahead. Yesterday, we met with the children ministry's staff from chaplaincy of one of the Christian universities (ULPGL).  They need to be trained. They heard many churches talking about EGM training and the result that churches get after been trained in their children ministries. We need your prayers. May God inspire each trainer and protect learners.

What a privilege to pray for protection for this courageous team! Praise God that He is working and that miracles are happening in lives of Congolese children. Let’s allow their courage to of these faithful ones to encourage us as we support their work!

Joe Cox

To help support the work going on in DRCongo visit http://www.egmworld.org/donate

Uganda November 5, 2012

November 5, 2012

Monday morning we met at the Diocese office of the Anglican Church in Kisoro. The meeting was hosted by Bishop Cranmar Mugisha. Bishop Cranmar had organized a three-day training for the children's workers one of his many churches. We asked that he also gather a group of local church leaders for us to meet. The leadership of the Anglican Church was present as well as representatives from the Assemblies of God, United Pentecostal Church, Cornerstone Church and the Union of Baptist Churches. All were introduced and then Joe Cox, EGM's Vice-President of International Ministries presented the work of our ministry. I was able to share along with Joe about the vision. When Joe finished, he asked for feedback. The first to respond simply asked when the Anglican's would be able to share what they received with other churches. One Pastor said he had already heard through word of mouth about how the EGM teaching had started to affect their ministry to children. The discussion took on a life of its own guided not by the EGM team, but by God. 

The conclusion was that on November 21^st, seven members of the group will meet to revisit the training topics and then schedule a conference in Kisoro for those who could not participate in our original conference. This will be led by Ugandans who participated in the EGM seminars and are using the Model Children's Worker principles in their church. After that, EGM will be asked to return and do follow-up work with children's workers in the region. They believe that making a significant investment in children's ministry by launching an EGM ministry in Uganda could lead to a revival like the one that took place in the 1960's in East Africa which began in the Kisoro region and spread throughout East Africa. Joe and I felt like EGM-Uganda was springing alive before our eyes. Please join us in prayer asking the LORD for his particular blessing on the ministry meeting on November 21^st. Ask the LORD to give us wisdom in joining Him in this exciting new ministry. 

Daniel Watts

*Please share these posts with your friends and family.

To donate to EGM visit us at egmworld.org/donate

Uganda November 4, 2012

*During the next week look on our Facebook for blog posts about Daniel and Joe's most recent trip to Uganda, including stories and photos. Please share these posts with your friends and family.

November 4, 2012

Sunday morning we attended an English service at the Anglican Cathedral where roughly 600 people attended. Joe, who was preaching, prayed for the children before they went off to Sunday school. He spoke on Matthew 17 and I was reminded of the new life that Jesus gave the demon possessed boy. His present life was desperate but the life that followed was a new life through Jesus Christ. Joe reminded us of the advocates for children; those who would lead them to Christ. He spoke with passion about the need children have for salvation through Christ Jesus. It was a powerful service!

We left and drove to another church to participate in a second confirmation service at Muganza Village Church. The simple sanctuary was crammed with about 600 people. It was quite amazing and for me, a huge blessing to take part in. There were literally hundreds of children present and the service was filled with joy, pomp and circumstance, deep meaning, dancing and singing and beautiful people. I spoke on the Parable of the Two Sons and welcomed the confirmed children into the family of God where we have a loving Father filled with compassion, eager to search us out and forgive us our shortcomings. I reminded them that they too will be tempted to squander what God has given them by experimenting with wild living but can always return to the Father who is ready to forgive.

Finally, I reminded them that we cannot be like the older brother who was angry that God forgave and celebrated the return of the Son. God has called us to invite others into the family and there are no blacks, no whites, no rich and poor, no educated or uneducated, no American or Ugandan. We are all one in Christ and welcomed into the family of God through saving faith in Christ Jesus our LORD and Savior. I got rolling at the end with the help of a fantastic translator (Hebert) and had some African response along with the cadence of my preaching. For a moment I felt like Martin Luther King on the Mall. We enjoyed dinner together afterwards at a kind of feast. Potatoes boiled, whole potatoes fried, rice, a type of banana paste, beans and then the 'special treats': chicken, beef and turnip greens. It was awesome.

Sunday night we attended a farewell banquet at the diocese Guesthouse where the training occurred. Joe and I were given precious gifts and testimonies were shared regarding the effect of the conference. The leadership of the Anglican Church diocese was present and the Bishop shared personally how the three days of training had lifted his vision for children's ministry-super awesome! Joe shared heartfelt greetings and thanks from our entire EGM team, particularly the churches and individuals supporting the ministry. His words were received with genuine joy and clearly touched the hearts of everyone.

The LORD led me to share about my visit to Ust Barguzin, Siberia years ago and the fruit festival with the Siberian family. In Uganda, we received bananas for dessert each day so when I told the Ugandans that those Siberians had wept over eating a banana, they were clearly touched. When I reminded them of the need to be thankful for what we have and not take things for granted, such as bananas, I could sense the LORD's leading.

Finally, when I shared about my conviction in taking Jesus Christ for granted there was a real sense of conviction followed by rejoicing in the LORD and all that He had done over the last four days. We concluded the time with Bishop Cranmer in prayer after which we sang in Urufumbira, "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder." This was one of my grandmother's favorite hymns and I knew that she and my grandfather were smiling in heaven at the precious worship of God's family in Kisoro, Uganda.

Daniel Watts

To donate to EGM visit us at egmworld.org/donate

Uganda November 1, 2012

*During the next two weeks look on our Facebook for our blog posts about Daniel and Joe's most recent trip to Uganda, including stories and photos. Please share these posts with your friends and family.

November 1, 2012

Praise the LORD for another day to serve in Kisoro, Uganda. Yesterday was a great day for EGM. My colleague Joe Cox did most if the teaching. He did a great job teaching the TRUTH seminar and God surely touched the hearts of the teachers. The TRUTH seminar included an experiential activity where teachers wrote the needs of a child within their ministry on an orange post-it-note. Then, they prayed and asked the LORD for insight into how His Word might meet the need of that child. Next, they were asked to write the text and main idea on a pink heart post-it-note where they stuck it onto the wall adjacent to the orange sticker. It is hard to describe in words the precious way that God touched the children's workers. After they returned to their seats, Joe asked if anyone wanted to share. A precious teacher stood up and shared her experience:

"I have one hundred and twenty children in my class. They are all very naughty. Sometimes I have had to beat them with a stick. The boys act very naughty and even crawl out the windows. I even started to hate the children and did not want to teach them anymore." Then she began to weep declaring her desire to repent of her lack of love for the boys and girls and expressed her renewed commitment to ministering the love of Christ to children.

The post-it-note activity touched their hearts so deeply showing them that God loves these children and He wants them to love these children as well.

Daniel Watts

To donate to EGM visit us at egmworld.org/donate

Mexico Update

This year proved to be very significant for EGM’s work in Mexico. Under Eric Solorio’s leadership, the training team doubled in size working with more churches and Children’s Workers than in the past several years combined!

Many children in Baja have benefited from this work. They had the opportunity to learn about God’s Word in a way they could understand and were challenged to live it out in their lives. Leea is one of these children. She is 2 1/2 years old and attends Vino Nuevo church in Ensenada. After learning about the importance of prayer, she was challenged to write down the name of one person that she wanted to pray for each day. To help her remember to pray, she posted her prayer log on her refrigerator. That week, every day before lunch, Leea led her family in prayer for those on her list including her uncle who was sad and Juanito, a little boy whose father had left him. Leea not only wanted to pray for these people before her meals, but also at bedtime. Her parents describe their prayer time with Leea as a “glorious moment”. Even though she was only challenged to pray for one week, she has continued. She has added additional names to her list and continues to interceded in prayer for them. At church last month, her teacher asked the children if anyone wanted to pray and even though Leea is only 1 1/2 years old, she went up front and led her class in prayer. God has used EGM to grow Leea’s heart to converse with Him and for this we are very thankful!!

Krysten Norkaitis

Trip to Uganda with Daniel Watts

*During the next three weeks look for our blog posts about Daniel and Joe's most recent trip to Uganda, including stories and photos. Please share these posts with your friends and family.

October 31, 2012

Sitting on the balcony in Kigali, Rwanda-nicely dressed with my smartphone and iPad in-hand, I noticed a street sweeper who was simply clothed cleaning the street with a real broom; he waved to me and smiled. Has the technology and material toys made me happier or given me more joy?

We drove from Kigali, Rwanda to Kisoro, Uganda. Leaving Kigali, I was struck anew about how little a foreign missionary knows when they enter into a culture. To really have an impact within the culture, it takes enormous effort and time. Language fluency is crucial! Without language, you cannot really enter inside the culture and come to understand the plethora of issues that are crucial for ministry effectiveness.

Driving through the Rwanda countryside, many questions come to mind:

§  Who owns all the small plots of land being farmed?

§  What are the family dynamics especially in regards to men and children?

§  The women are carrying amazing loads balanced on their heads and also appear to be working in the fields; what are the roles of men and women?

§  Children are everywhere and I can see that Joe is nervous in the front seat with all the little precious children just on the shoulder of the road. Why are very small children out on their own?

Because the agriculture is so diverse, I noticed the following crops: Rice, bananas, cabbage, potatoes, beans, avocados and pineapples. The fields were filled with grazing goats, sheep and cows. I also observed what appeared to be a large pig farm where the pigs were enclosed in a roofed structure, something like you would see in Europe.

Along the way to the border, I observed more than 15 church buildings. They were all very small and simple with holes for windows; some of which had no doors. One thing struck me while driving to Kisoro. The appearance of the buildings; specifically the nice buildings and schools are funded and built by US Aid, UN and UNICEF, etc. More to follow on that!

It has been raining since we arrived (at 3:30pm) and it appears it will continue throughout the night and the power will most likely be out may all night as well. A children's worker just arrived who had walked 15 kilometers through the rain to be here. Simply Amazing!

Daniel Watts

To donate to EGM visit us at http://www.egmworld.org/donate