Perhaps the single most important work Live Global does, from my experience, is to connect the global church so that we can serve one another and work collaboratively to fulfill the Great Commission.
My name is Mike Winter and I have just had the privilege of partnering with local ministries in Europe to share Christ, strengthen the Church, and build God’s kingdom.
The Impact of a Romanian Church
My recent trip to Romania and Ukraine was a powerful example of Live Global’s impact. On my trip, I worked with Live Global national partner, Beni, from Romania and my friend Ed, a full-time Live Global team member, to come alongside a chaplain named Mark in neighboring Ukraine. Mark does great work in Ukraine, ministering to active soldiers and their families by sharing the gospel and distributing food, clothing, Bibles, generators, fuel, and financial help.
On the ground, Beni’s Romanian church facilitates supplies and people to encourage and tangibly help Mark in Ukraine. From farther away, Live Global connects North American individuals and churches with Beni’s Romanian church to provide prayer, financial support, tangible resources, and manpower. As a result of this threefold cord, those suffering from the war in Ukraine receive the gospel, food, clothes, supplies, and encouragement. The love of God, through His global church, is being revealed to unbelievers in Romania and Ukraine so that His Spirit can draw people to Jesus.
Connecting the Local Church to the Global Church
Live Global exists to connect local churches and individuals to the greater global Church, making resources even more available to those serving in a global context, whether those resources are people or money.
My trip to Ukraine was a perfect example of this. Through a Live Global invitation, I was paired with a Romanian Church that is partnering with a Ukrainian chaplain to serve the needs of soldiers and their families involved in war. I began my trip by leading a men’s conference in Romania through Beni’s local church and its partner churches. This opportunity arose because of the invitation of the Romanian church partner with Live Global.
From Romania, Beni took Ed and me to Ukraine to meet Mark, his partner there. With financial resources obtained through Live Global, and tangible supplies I brought in my suitcase from America, we were able to meet some of the physical needs of soldiers and their families. In addition, Mark and Beni shared the gospel at each of the many stops where we met soldiers or family members. Mark and Beni know the languages of these people, they know the culture, and they know the needs.
I saw and experienced the body of Christ working together through the ministry of Live Global and its national partners. I never could have met Mark and Beni without someone from Live Global making the connection providing the opportunity. I praise God for that. Next I hope to share this blessing with others and bring a team from my church in Michigan to serve alongside Beni’s and Mark’s ministries in Romania and Ukraine in the near future.
Author’s note: This article was written by Mike Winter, a Live Global volunteer from South Church in Lansing, Michigan. Mike has traveled multiple times with Live Global to provide biblical training to national partners across the globe.