Moldova 2025

“The kind of religion that God sees as pure and faultless is this: To look after widows and orphans in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

Wow! What an incredible week in Moldova. All glory to our great God! I’m so thankful for what God started 22 years ago when He planted Rolling Hills Community Church, but also called us to take our first mission trip to the country of Moldova. I could have never dreamed what God was going to do. Today, Justice & Mercy Moldova is the largest NGO in the country. It is truly life-change in Christ and seeing thousands of orphan and vulnerable children saved both physically and spiritually. And, our God is still at work and the best is yet to come.

Through Justice & Mercy International, we now have over 40 full-time and part-time indigenous staff working with over 1,000 orphan and vulnerable children in Moldova. By God’s grace, we have four Transitional Living Homes with over 60 students who now have a place to live, to continue their education, who are being discipled in the Lord and becoming future leaders. Additionally, we also care for Ukrainian refugees and engage in ministry work throughout the country. God has blessed us with Vadim and his wife, Kate, as our National Directors. It is amazing!

Here’s my encouragement for you when it comes to missions:

1. Go! - Jesus gave the Great Commission to all His followers: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:19. This is for every person who is a Christian. It is truly an incredible calling and privilege. Go to the nations. At some point, just go! Serving on the Moldova Mission Team with my family and my church family was truly special. We had 26 people from Rolling Hills on this Mission Team, and all five of my family. If you have never been on a mission trip, then please go! Go to Moldova, Italy, the Amazon or somewhere in the States. It is truly life-changing and life-impacting. Not only for those you serve, but also for you. And, if you ever have the opportunity to serve others, then you are truly living out the words of Jesus.

2. Sponsor - We can’t all go, but we can all do something. Through JMI, you can sponsor a child for $40 a month. This gives your sponsored child food and clothes as well as access to Biblical learning and teaching. It is amazing to meet your sponsored children and to see the difference God is making in their lives. $40 a month is less than one dinner out with the family in a month. You can do this. All of my children sponsor a child in Moldova - my teenagers love their kids in Moldova, they write to them and pray for them. My prayer is that every person would sponsor a child. This is how we can live out our calling as well and impact a life for Christ.

3. Teach your children - One of the greatest joys for me this year was serving with my family. Lisa, my wife, and our three daughters, Kate (16), Mabry (18) and Grace (21). To serve alongside your wife and children is incredible! You watch God work through them, and you see their joy. As a parent, your spiritual leadership is so important. Before your kids graduate from high school, go on a mission trip with your kids and with your church family. Many times, as families in America, we will take our kids on three to four vacations a year. What about taking them on a mission trip? We have so much affluence here, seeing and serving the poor and less fortunate in the world in the Name of Jesus will impact them forever.

4. Pray for the work - We can’t all go, but we can all pray. Pray for the precious children of Moldova. Pray for the work we are doing there through Justice & Mercy International. Pray for God to raise up spiritual leaders in this country. Pray for Vadim and Kate as they lead the work of Justice and Mercy Moldova. Pray for hearts and lives to be changed in Christ. Pray for our church at Rolling Hills to continue to invest generously in the work of our Savior, Jesus.

Together, we can truly see God change the world. Who would have ever believed we would be the largest NGO in Moldova today, impacting thousands of lives for the glory of our great God? Now, let’s all go, sponsor, teach and pray for our God to do even more. Every child is important. Every heart needs Jesus. May our God use us to love and serve the least, the last and the lost. Thank You, Jesus. Blessings on you, the children of Moldova, JMI and Rolling Hills today.