A group of churches and individual Christians in Brazoria County began working with a Romanian Baptist association of churches in the late 1990’s. This came about after a Romanian-flagged ship and its crew were abandoned by its owners in Freeport Harbor in 1998. Through the Freeport Seaman’s Center these crew members were assisted in both practical matters and with spiritual counsel. Many came to faith in Jesus Christ during this time, and requested that a ministry similar to the Seaman’s Center be started in their home port of Constanta, a large port on the Black Sea in far Eastern Romania. Several churches formed partnerships with “sister” churches in that area and sent teams to build, to teach, and to help with evangelism in the villages, towns, and cities of the region. Because of the deep poverty of the area and the persecution of Evangelical Christians by the government and by the state-sponsored Eastern Orthodox church, most of the pastors are living below the poverty level and the churches are struggling to survive. They have a rich and fervent faith and a true heart for the Lord and for His work, but have heretofore had little means of self-support. This has led to unsustainable dependence on western churches and individuals for their daily sustenance.
