After two wonderful, yet puzzling, weeks in Romania (my 44th trip since 1990, I’ve been confronted with the paradox of change that is really not change.  The power of the Eastern Orthodox church remains in a “semi-official” context.  Yet, the growth of “neo-Protestantism” barely scratches the surface of evangelical growth.

A mid-20th century evangelical movement among Orthodox believers has all but disappeared (The Lord’s Army), and denominational controls often prevent true spiritual growth and often maintain traditions learned from the former state church.

A rather new missionary movement has sent nearly 50 missionaries to other nations, and much of the financing is coming from indigenous churches.  Yet, the Romanian model for leadership, learned from 43 years of communism is power, control and threats.  

Evangelism in post-Communist countries faces great challenges. Just 20 years ago, no more than two or three people could gather on a public street, conversing with strangers is almost non-existing, especially among evangelicals with neighbors of differing religions (especially neo-Protestants with Orthodox believers). Who is evangelizing whom?