It started as a fairly normal morning until I received a call about four siblings who had been found abandoned. They are young (12, 8, 6, and 5) and in that moment, they needed somewhere safe to go.
You know what’s always amazed me?
How something as simple as a college student saying “yes” to a summer can turn into something much bigger over time.
For years, we’ve had students come serve with us. They arrive not fully knowing what to expect but come willing. And somewhere along the way, something shifts. You see it in how they connect, how they listen, how they begin to care about people in a deeper way. And then, years later when you start hearing it in their stories.
The back of the picture says 2005. That was the first teen trip to Romania from my home church—and honestly, it started something bigger than anyone probably expected. After that, teams kept going every few years… until life, leadership changes, and Covid hit pause.
A few days ago, I had the opportunity to be at Praxis 2026 at the Eastern European Bible College. One of the participants, Ionuț Cornea, shared a reflection that has stayed with me—and I wanted to pass it along because it speaks to something we all need.
Here’s the truth he started with:
God finds pleasure in us… before we do anything.
Last Sunday at Impact Church was one of those moments that reminds us why this work matters.
For so many students, faith can feel distant or uncertain and they are not quite sure how to take their next step. That’s where the church is able to step in and create a place where they can see what it looks like to follow Jesus.
Our team recently revisited Miyega Church, accompanied by Brother Mark Yeazel, who currently represents Remember the Children in Tanzania. I was overjoyed to find that the brethren here continue to walk in love and joy, and they have grown in their faith in Christ Jesus. Mark delivered a powerful message on how to disciple others for Christ, encouraging the congregation to bring more people to Jesus.
It's conference week in Romania! We currently have a team leading a women's conference at Impact Church in Oradea and next week a new team will come in to put on a leadership conference at the Bible college. Each team is taking time to connect with RTC churches and participate in outreach alongside longstanding partners. Mission teams bring an energy and encouragement that is a blessing for us and for many whom we serve.
Whether there are individual friends of RTC at your church or your church as a whole supports RTC, it would be a blessing to visit you. We are passionate about partnering with churches, and we hope our ministry creates opportunities for your congregation to see, know, and reach those in need across the world.
The focus of this year's conference was specifically discipleship making as a foundation for the church. Remember the Children believes in the crucial role the church plays in communities, families, and the lives of children through the work of spreading the gospel and making disciples. Each one of our RTC churches have a focus on their neighbors and a conviction that Jesus is the source of all real and lasting transformation.
