Investing in Christian theological education brings incalculable blessings. The fruits of such ministry are never immediate, but they are real and often go beyond anything that is expected. The story of Emanuel University in Oradea, Romania, is a wonderful illustration of this.
The University traces its roots back to SGA’s School of the Prophets which was organized in Oradea in the 1970s. Then, under the proscriptive Communist regime, SGA teachers and dedicated believers met in secret so that the next generation of church leaders could be equipped and prepared for ministry. From those small beginnings, Emanuel has grown to become the only accredited conservative evangelical university in Eastern Europe.
The fundamental commitment to preparation of the next generation of pastors and church workers remains, but the university curriculum has developed to include many other areas of study. Within each department, however, the aim is to teach and prepare men and women who will have a godly influence in key areas of Romanian society.
We praise God for what has already been accomplished, but there is no room for complacency, and SGA continues to partner with Emanuel University in a wide variety of ways. One less well-known example of this relationship perhaps, is the sponsorship programme for new professors and faculty members.
Emanuel University has received some of the highest accreditation scores for its academic excellence, but if this standard is to be maintained new professors need to be produced.
SGA is currently sponsoring two new teachers through their PhD studies – Carmen Fogadar and George Stamate. Carmen is coming to the end of her studies whereas George has just started. However, both have been identified as talented teachers who will provide much-needed expertise in important areas of study.
In a recent meeting with Dr Paul Negrut, the President of Emanuel University, he expressed his sincere thanks for this sponsorship programme and the help that it has been to the university over the years.
Please continue to pray for Emanuel University and its mission to ‘Train young people to live with integrity, excellence, and passion for Jesus.’ We trust this investment in people will be used by the Lord to glorify His name in Romania and beyond.
