Years ago, we set out to do something simple in Romania.
We wanted to train Roma men from small villages to lead churches in their own communities. The goal was straightforward: equip local leaders so the church could grow from within.
But we quickly ran into a challenge.
Many of the men could not read or write well, so our usual materials—notes and study guides—wouldn’t work. Instead, we tried something different. We taught through stories, Scripture recitation, and conversation. We repeated passages together and invited the men to explain them in their own words.
Before long, the room was full of laughter, questions, and real learning.
The retreat took place at a small guesthouse near a farm. For many of the men, the simple comforts—warm beds, indoor plumbing, and shared meals—felt like incredible luxuries. I still remember the joy when someone turned on a faucet and clean water kept flowing.
One man carefully held a banana in his hands, savoring his first fresh fruit in months.
At the end of the retreat, we gave each man a small amount of money to take home to his family. It wasn’t much, but it allowed them to provide food for their children with dignity.
That weekend changed me.
What began as leadership training became a powerful reminder: every person carries dignity, wisdom, and the image of God. Those men weren’t projects or recipients of charity. They were brothers.
Remembering moments like these—shared with faithful ministry friends like Roger Clark—are part of the story we’ve been privileged to witness for the past 30 years. Together, we’ve watched people discover their dignity, their leadership, and their place in God’s story.