With all the planning completed and everything in place, friends and mission partners gathered in Balti, Moldova, to mark a special milestone in the life of SGA. Events were convened to give thanks to God for thirty years of SGA's ministry in Moldova.
SGA sponsored missionary pastors, along with their wives attended a special two-day conference where important topics for ministry were considered. Time was given for fellowship and prayer, and gifts were distributed to missionary pastors. They received digital libraries while their wives also received gifts recognizing their faithful support in the ministry.
Many attendees expressed their gratitude for SGA’s continued faithfulness and partnership. One who spoke, Pastor Sasha Polishchiuk, outlined the challenges of Christian ministry and the temptation of feeling alone but expressed his gratitude for the constant support and prayers over many years.
Derek Maxwell and Mark Foster, who represented SGA at the special events felt that these occasions offered invaluable opportunities to strengthen relationships and bring encouragement to faithful workers who are often serving in difficult circumstances.
Peter (School Director) with Sasha (past student)
The weekend culminated with a combined 30th anniversary thanksgiving service and graduation of the 15th group of mission school students. Prior to the service a celebratory meal was organised when students were joined by families and friends. Pastors and missionaries from the 30th-anniversary celebrations also gathered with the students.
Students spoke warmly of their time in the school reflecting on the standard of teaching, the relationship enjoyed with the teachers, the fellowship among the students and expressing gratitude to their sponsors. During the service a plaque was presented to the Mission from the Baptist Union General Secretary, Ion Miron, marking the 30 years of partnership and ministry.
Overall, this was a very encouraging service, where God was praised, servants of God from the past were honoured and the students were presented with their diplomas. They also received a small library of useful books to help in their future ministry.
We praise God for the past and trust Him for the future. It was thrilling to hear from the SGA Regional Co-ordinator, Peter Mihalchiuk, that the next group commencing in January 2024 is over-subscribed. We praise the Lord for His faithfulness.
It was a wonderful weekend as all reflected on God’s faithfulness and focused on the future.