Pentecostal Revival among the Gypsies across Europe

One of the most dynamic and powerful works of the Holy Spirit in our day certainly is the Pentecostal revival among the Gypsies Streams of this revival started in the decade of the 1950s. God began to pour out His Spirit upon the diverse ethnic groups of Gypsies in Europe and around the world. Because of prejudice and ill reputation, many leaders were skeptical about the conversion of Gypsies, but over time, these leaders recognized that God is no respecter of persons. France has more than 150 000 baptized Gypsy adults. There are some 2150 preachers trained in their own Bible school with almost 300 students studying every year. The French missionary work, called ‘Life and Light’ (founded by Pastor Clément Le Cossec), reaches into 30 countries, supporting over 30 missionaries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and India. The French Gypsies brought the Gospel to neighboring countries such as Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.

Spain has also experienced phenomenal growth as today there are over 200 000 baptized believers, some 600 Gypsy churches and 2500 preachers. The “Gitanos ” have evangelized Portugal and South America as well. England has been marked by the same kind of development since 1975. Today there are over 15 000 born-again Gypsies and Travellers, many of whom were instrumental in reaching Ireland, Canada, and the USA. . In Eastern Europe, we see similar growth. In Romania, there are some 110 000 converts and hundreds of Gypsy churches with about 200 preachers. Bulgaria has some 70 000 Gypsy believers and over 120 Gypsy churches and preachers. Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary are currently experiencing a mighty move of the Holy Spirit. There are over 10 million Gypsies in Eastern Europe. Only 3% have knowledge of the Gospel.

There is also a growing work in the Scandinavian countries, such as Norway, Sweden and Finland. TV programs are broadcast in the Gypsy language in more than 15 cities throughout Russia and Eastern Europe. There are some 40 million Gypsies in the world, half of whom are in India. To this day, 700 to 800 000 Gypsies from various ethnic groups know Jesus Christ as their Savior, with a total of 6 500 preachers and pastors. The task to reach this vast mission field is still unfinished. Gypsies have their own language, mindset and traditions. Please pray the Lord of the harvest to send many more workers to these people for whom Jesus died!

One of the most dynamic and powerful works of the Holy Spirit in our day certainly is the Pentecostal revival among the Gypsies Streams of this revival started in the decade of the 1950s. God began to pour out His Spirit upon the diverse ethnic groups of Gypsies in Europe and around the world. Because of prejudice and ill reputation, many leaders were skeptical about the conversion of Gypsies, but over time, these leaders recognized that God is no respecter of persons.

France has more than 150 000 baptized Gypsy adults. There are some 2150 preachers trained in their own Bible school with almost 300 students studying every year.
The French missionary work, called ‘Life and Light’ (founded by Pastor Clément Le Cossec), reaches into 30 countries, supporting over 30 missionaries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and India. The French Gypsies brought the Gospel to neighboring countries such as Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.

Spain has also experienced phenomenal growth as today there are over 200 000 baptized believers, some 600 Gypsy churches and 2500 preachers. The “Gitanos ” have evangelized Portugal and South America as well.
England has been marked by the same kind of development since 1975. Today there are over 15 000 born-again Gypsies and Travellers, many of whom were instrumental in reaching Ireland, Canada, and the USA.
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In Eastern Europe, we see similar growth. In Romania, there are some 110 000 converts and hundreds of Gypsy churches with about 200 preachers. Bulgaria has some 70 000 Gypsy believers and over 120 Gypsy churches and preachers. Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary are currently experiencing a mighty move of the Holy Spirit. There are over 10 million Gypsies in Eastern Europe. Only 3% have knowledge of the Gospel.

There is also a growing work in the Scandinavian countries, such as Norway, Sweden and Finland.
TV programs are broadcast in the Gypsy language in more than 15 cities throughout Russia and Eastern Europe.
There are some 40 million Gypsies in the world, half of whom are in India. To this day, 700 to 800 000 Gypsies from various ethnic groups know Jesus Christ as their Savior, with a total of 6 500 preachers and pastors.
The task to reach this vast mission field is still unfinished. Gypsies have their own language, mindset and traditions. Please pray the Lord of the harvest to send many more workers to these people for whom Jesus died!

An Easter Blessing in Rome

The congregation of the International Church of Rome, pastored by AGWM personnel, Bob and Lynne Rose, have been praying and searching for a new location in order to have a service on Sunday instead of Saturday evenings. For the past 2 ½ years, all the search efforts seemed to have been blocked. The Roses tell how “Early this year we felt God stirring our hearts that change was coming and it has…but in a rather unusual way! Our current location had a change in leadership and they quickly informed us that the rent was going to be raised for the 7 hours a week that we meet, effective immediately. A few days later, we received a notice that the rent would be raised again—a total increase of 43%! We were shocked! “Meanwhile Antonio, an Italian businessman from a traditional church background whom we had met when we had looked at his property 2 ½ years ago, called us unexpectedly. When we had first met him, he said that his family (mother and sister) jointly owned a few properties. We told him we were a church and he shared this with his elderly mother who was thrilled with our purpose and immediately said, ‘I want to help them!’ Within a few days, though, she suddenly passed away and Antonio was distraught. We prayed with him and the Holy Spirit ministered to his grieving heart. The arrangement for the building at that time did not work out, however, and we lost contact with him.

“But Antonio did not forget us or the desire in his mother’s heart. Due to the oldness of the city, properties in Rome must be updated periodically but it is extremely costly. Antonio finally was able to refurbish another property and did his best to make it look pleasing as a church. He called and asked us to come see his locale. Antonio presented us with an incredibly affordable proposal of rent, offered to store all our equipment, and place signage of our church outside the building! The location is perfect—close to a major metro with lots of buses nearby and many large apartment buildings filled with thousands of people who need Jesus! God prepared the way and Easter will be our first service!“

The congregation of the International Church of Rome, pastored by AGWM personnel, Bob and Lynne Rose, have been praying and searching for a new location in order to have a service on Sunday instead of Saturday evenings. For the past 2 ½ years, all the search efforts seemed to have been blocked. The Roses tell how “Early this year we felt God stirring our hearts that change was coming and it has…but in a rather unusual way! Our current location had a change in leadership and they quickly informed us that the rent was going to be raised for the 7 hours a week that we meet, effective immediately. A few days later, we received a notice that the rent would be raised again—a total increase of 43%! We were shocked!

“Meanwhile Antonio, an Italian businessman from a traditional church background whom we had met when we had looked at his property 2 ½ years ago, called us unexpectedly. When we had first met him, he said that his family (mother and sister) jointly owned a few properties. We told him we were a church and he shared this with his elderly mother who was thrilled with our purpose and immediately said, ‘I want to help them!’ Within a few days, though, she suddenly passed away and Antonio was distraught. We prayed with him and the Holy Spirit ministered to his grieving heart. The arrangement for the building at that time did not work out, however, and we lost contact with him.

“But Antonio did not forget us or the desire in his mother’s heart. Due to the oldness of the city, properties in Rome must be updated periodically but it is extremely costly. Antonio finally was able to refurbish another property and did his best to make it look pleasing as a church. He called and asked us to come see his locale. Antonio presented us with an incredibly affordable proposal of rent, offered to store all our equipment, and place signage of our church outside the building! The location is perfect—close to a major metro with lots of buses nearby and many large apartment buildings filled with thousands of people who need Jesus! God prepared the way and Easter will be our first service!“

God Heals in Italy

Once a quarter we have a healing service and pray for people who are unable to physically attend but are in need of healing. Susan, a member of our international church, is employed by an Italian family to care for Norma, an elderly mother. Norma had become quite ill, been placed in a hospital and her memory was fading so quickly that she couldn’t remember events from day to day. Her only child, Alberto, desperately did not want to lose his mother. Susan had been witnessing to this family faithfully, assuring them that God hears our prayers; although Alberto belonged to a traditional church, he begged Susan to have our church pray for his mother.

Once a quarter we have a healing service and pray for people who are unable to physically attend but are in need of healing. Susan, a member of our international church, is employed by an Italian family to care for Norma, an elderly mother. Norma had become quite ill, been placed in a hospital and her memory was fading so quickly that she couldn’t remember events from day to day. Her only child, Alberto, desperately did not want to lose his mother. Susan had been witnessing to this family faithfully, assuring them that God hears our prayers; although Alberto belonged to a traditional church, he begged Susan to have our church pray for his mother.

We lifted Norma up in prayer during our healing service and the Holy Spirit’s presence was powerfully evident. The next time Susan came to church, she stood and gave testimony of God’s healing touch upon Norma’s body and memory-the doctors were astounded as Norma’s body quickly recovered and her memory returned completely (even small details!); she was released from the hospital and had no further need of her memory medication. Alberto was so thankful and sent his gratitude to our church for our prayers.

Several months later, Lynne received a desperate call from Susan; Norma’s blood sugar had climbed to a dangerous level (over 400) and she was very sick. The doctor had been contacted and was looking to place her in a hospital. Alberto was at work and extremely anxious over his mother’s condition. Susan and Lynne agreed in prayer over the phone and later Susan said God’s powerful presence and peace descended upon the room. In less than 2 hours, Norma’s blood sugar had returned to normal without any medical aid. When Susan phoned the doctor, he was amazed-he had never had a patient’s blood sugar drop like that without medicine.

When Alberto heard of how God had touched his mother again, he requested we come to his house. He told Susan that he must hear the story of our God! We went and shared the simple truth of how God became flesh and lived among us; how He understood our frail frames and could heal not only our bodies, but our broken hearts as well. Alberto sat and listened with his whole heart and as we talked, the Light of God’s glory and truth began to fill his and Norma’s hearts. They bowed their heads and prayed for Jesus to come into their lives. God’s salvation is now Alberto and Norma’s Light!

From newsletter of Bob and Lynne Rose
AGWM Personnel in Rome, Italy

CHRISTIANS@COLISEUM in Italy

The Holy Spirit had been speaking to Bob Rose, AGWM Personnel pastoring the International Church of Rome, about the masses of tourists at the Coliseum. Though their focus has been on the church itself, Bob could not shake the idea of evangelizing the people at this colossal icon. So in June, “Christians@Coliseum” was launched on Sunday evenings. In the place where Christians were once persecuted, the Gospel is freely being shared!

 The Holy Spirit had been speaking to Bob Rose, AGWM Personnel pastoring the International Church of Rome, about the masses of tourists at the Coliseum.   Though their focus has been on the church itself, Bob could not shake the idea of evangelizing the people at this colossal icon.  So in June, “Christians@Coliseum” was launched on Sunday evenings.  In the place where Christians were once persecuted, the Gospel is freely being shared!

One would think that sightseers would be so enthralled with the Coliseum that they would have little time to listen to someone talk to them about Jesus but the opposite is true! The Coliseum evangelists come immersed in prayer, trained to be sensitive to opportunities, and equipped by the Holy Spirit. They have met people from countries where missionaries are not allowed and speaking of Jesus is forbidden. For many of them, this is their first opportunity to hear the Good News!

Lily, a Chinese woman, had never heard about Jesus. She eagerly took all the tracts and literature offered to her and brought her family close also so they could hear the story of what Jesus had done for them.

Massimo, a young Italian man, sat for over an hour and asked questions. He prayed a prayer of repentance and invited Jesus into his heart.

Ibrahim, one of four Muslims that were witnessed to, could not hide the hunger and questions in his heart about Jesus.

Maria, a vendor at the Coliseum, stopped selling her wares in the piazza as she began to fall under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. She repeated a prayer of salvation and sighed with relief as she felt her sins and burdens slip away.

One of the church members saw a young Italian couple and then God gave him a vision concerning them. When he approached them, they said they were not interested in what he had to say. But when he told them that they had just come out of a particular restaurant located quite a distance away from the Coliseum, they were amazed and asked how he knew. When he told them that God had revealed this to him, they listened, for truly the Holy Spirit had been dealing with them. They asked Jesus into their heart as they realized that God cared enough about where they had been and had brought someone into their path to share the Gospel.

Every week the stories come back of how the seeds of the Good News have been planted and souls have been saved.  How thrilling it is to see His Kingdom expand!