At the same time, it is plain to see that many churches are “consumed by their own desires and activities.”
Their world is what they want and do for themselves. Jesus says to all of us “…lift up your eyes and look at the
fields for they are already white for harvest.” (John 4:35) Growing churches are sending and going churches!
We give thanks to God so very often for those who sacrifice to help us in Romania regularly! We work an
area of about 2,000,000 people in three districts. A number of dedicated U. S. teachers and preachers go to help
“Sow the seed” in this area. Thank you for the scores of letters, emails, phone calls and notes to encourage us.
You will read elsewhere in the newsletter of what is being done to “spread the kingdom of God” in this part of
Romania. Certainly other brethren work in other areas of Romania and nations of Europe.

The Midway church in Jasper, Alabama continues to oversee the work and they give of themselves in all
that is done. I am scheduled for Romania for June and July and I continue to preach “special Sundays” in the U.S.
and also “rehearse what God has done” in Romania. I have said I would not take time to preach anymore ‘gospel
meetings” in the U.S. but, if the Lord permits, I am to preach in Farmerville, Louisiana April 21-24 of this month.

May see some of you there. Pray fervently.

In love for all,
Harvey M. Starling

So very many of you sacrifice for the spread of the kingdom of God in the three districts of
Dolj, Arges and Valcea, Romania. This is a review of what you are helping to accomplish
this year by the grace of God.

• All seven congregations in the three districts have good interest and attendance each week with 25 to 85 present each Sunday. Romanian men do most of the preaching. None receive financial support but Midway provides travel expenses.
• Romanian Christians teach 14 children’s Bible classes each Sunday in the seven churches.
• There are deaf Christians in the Pitesti and Craiova congregations and translators are provided for all Bible classes and assemblies. All day Saturday classes for the deaf are conducted each quarter. The last one was March 30, 2013 with all Romanian teachers for the three lessons. A total of 41 students and translators were present.
• Special Ladies Days classes were taught recently by Cindy Rieck and Ann Newton. There were 72 present in Pitesti on Saturday March 9 and 64 present in Craiova on Saturday, March 16. Several week day classes were conducted during the week also. Joann Peck of Florence, Alabama will present Bible lessons in each of the seven churches in May.
• The Ladies Quilt Program continues to make hundreds of quilts for the needy each year.
• Regular Ladies Bible Classes are taught by Romanian ladies in the Fall and Spring.
• Several Men’s Training Classes and Meetings were taught early this year by Daryl Newton and Marc Curfman.
• The Annual All Romania Workshop for all 20 churches was conducted by Pitesti last October. The attendance was the largest ever with 300 to 500 present Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Bucharest is scheduled to host the workshop this year.
• The Summer Bible classes for children and adults are scheduled for July. There will be 18 U.S. teachers in the school and we will be assisted by some 40 Romanians. There should be over 300 children and adult students present each day.
• There were 28 baptisms in 2011 in the three districts and 16 in 2012. No one has been baptized thus far in 2013.
• Special Youth Bible Classes are taught each week in all of the seven churches. This group is a great force now and for the future of the church.
• There were 43 students in the 2012 Pitesti Bible Training School last September. The school has 60 classroom hours of intensive study during the two weeks. Marc Curfman, Joel Inman and Mike Grose will be the instructors this year. The date is August 25-September 8.
• Each of the seven churches has their own treasurer and each church plans a budget.
• About 600 Bibles were distributed last year. The average in past years has been over 1,000.
• Ion Fratostiteanu will be the evangelist in an outdoor “gospel meeting” in Valea Stanciului June 16-19. David Gibson will preach a similar meeting in Cioroiasi June 9-12.
• The budget for emergency benevolent needs is $1,000 monthly. This is primarily for food and medicine.
• Four of the seven, meeting places are owned by the churches and require normal maintenance. The other three congregations rent their places of worship.
• Thousands of pamphlets, books, brochures and outlines are printed and distributed in all three districts each year.
• Over 100 youth from the seven churches attended the 2012 Bible Camp in August of last year. Ion Fratostiteanu, Daryl Newton, Mike Grose and Iulia Vasile are the major individuals heading up this very successful camp.
• Our present contact and prospect list number over 1,000 in all seven churches. We mail regularly to them.
• A Sunday Newsletter is published each week for all seven churches.
• Two churches have regular van transportation for Sundays for children and adults.
• There are two ladies who work fulltime in translation, secretarial work, ladies class teaching and much other work.
• There are about 100 Food Bags for the needy provided in early December each year.
• Regular prayer sessions are scheduled for each church.

THE LOCAL CHURCH
The local congregation is often emphasized in the New Testament. A number, small or large, of baptized believers
(Acts 18:8) assemble to worship the Lord and encourage one another to serve the Lord. Jesus tells us of His church at Corinth,
Ephesus, Colosse, the seven churches of Asia (Revelation 1:11) and many others. (Philippians 1:1) The local body of Christians
was important in the first century and the same is true today.

God does not give us many numbers nor does he tell us of who the “local preacher” was but he does instruct us to
grow in faith, love and good works. The result of preaching and teaching the gospel in a certain area, in the U.S. or in a foreign
field, will be the establishing of a local church. Some fields are more productive than others. Paul preached in many cities as
recorded in Acts and the gospel was received more readily in some places than others. (Acts 17:1-34)

We do speak much about “spreading the gospel” into all the world. This is as it should be but let us make every
effort to be diligent in building the local church of the Lord. What have we done if we “go everywhere preaching” but find no
church when we have finished? May God help us to plant more churches and may He help us to mature, grow and develop
them!

HMS

EACH SOUL ETERNAL!
Trying to determine success in the Lord’s work by numbers only is usually a false way to measure.
However since each soul, young or old, is an eternal being in the image of God, we rejoice because of the
possibilities when more people attend the classes and worship assemblies. With this in mind, we want to
believe that these numbers in this newsletter say that many are interested in God’s word. (Matt. 16:26)

WONDERFUL DAYS FOR THE LADIES!
From a number of reports, the eight days of teaching by Ann Newton and Cindy Rieck were a
tremendous success. The good is not measured by numbers alone but by the Bible lessons presented and
by the love, zeal and joy shown by those present!

PITESTI LADIES DAY (Saturday, March 9th) 72 Present (59 Members & 13 Visitors)
SEVERAL WEEKDAY CLASSES 147 Present (104 Members & 43 Visitors)
CRAIOVA LADIES DAY (Saturday, March 16th)  64 Present (44 Members & 20 Visitors)

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE IN THE SEVEN CHURCHES RECENTLY:

PITESTI 61     CRAIOVA 34      VALCEA 23     SCHITU GOLESTI 37

CIOROIASI 52     CORBENI 21     VALEA STANCIULUI 79

The Romania government has some years ago declared March 8 each year as National Ladies Day in honor of the women of the country.  It is something like our Mother’s Day in the U.S.  In recent years the church in the three districts of Arges, Valcea and Dolj has used this emphasis on women to have special Ladies Bible lessons for all women in Pitesti and Craiova, Romania.  This year, as well as in 2012, Ann Newton and Cindy Rieck from Baytown, Texas will be the special teachers for Ladies Day at Pitesti and Craiova.

Regular ladies Bible studies are conducted much of the year with competent Romanian teachers.  The attendance totals at each place may vary from 25 to 40.  However plans are made to plan and advertise special Bible studies for women on Saturday March 9 in Pitesti and on Saturday, March 16 in Craiova.  Special invitations and advertising is done in all seven churches and the attendance is always from 75 to 100 at each place.  Many of them will be visitors who attend with members of the congregations.  Bible lessons will be presented all day at each place by Anne and Cindy as well as enjoying a good meal together at noon.  There is also the tradition of presenting a carnation to each lady present.  There is great interest in these events this year and we anticipate many new ladies will be introduced to the saving gospel for the first time.  In time some of them will become Christians.

The Ladies work in the seven churches is an on going never ending work.  It is a fact there is always a greater number of women interested in spiritual matters than men.  More work is done in the local churches by women than men and the faith and energy of the women is a vital force in the kingdom.  Looking ahead, Joanne Peck of Florence, Alabama is scheduled to teach special lessons at each of the seven churches two weeks in May.  Her teaching sessions will not be combined classes but she will visit and teach not only in Pitesti and Craiova but also in Cioroiasi, Valea Stanciului, Corbeni, Schitu Golesti, and Valcea. This may remind us of the events in Acts 16:13-15 where Lydia and her household met for prayer by the riverside.  Paul and his co-worker attended this session and it resulted in Lydia and her household obeying the Lord.  There is great excitement among the churches for the special March 9 and 16 meetings.  Much good will be done to His glory.    HMS

PREACHING CHRIST AFTER LADIES DAYS IN MARCH

MARCH – Saturday Bible School for Deaf – March 30

APRIL – David Gibson to Work in Craiova and Cioroiasi

    Daryl Newton to Work in All Four Churches in Arges

MAY – Joanne Peck to Teach Ladies Classes in Each of the Seven Churches

JUNE – Area Wide Campaign in Cioroiasi June 9-12.  David Gibson Is the Speaker

Ion Fratostiteanu Will Be the Speaker in an Area Campaign in Valea  Stanciului June16-19

JULY – Eighteen U.S. Bible Teachers Scheduled to Conduct Bible Classes for

              Children and Adults in All Seven Churches July 4-15

We Continue in His Work,

      Harvey M. Starling

KEITH GANN & RANDALL NUNNELLEY VISIT ROMANIA

Two men, Keith Gann who is one of the shepherds of the Midway church and Randall Nunnelley of Midway, journeyed to Romania in February to visit and learn more of the work in the three districts.  Here are excerpts from their observations.  “We were so impressed by the sheer magnitude of the work being done in the seven cities and towns where the church has been established….the level of commitment exhibited by the brethren is easy to see….the number of young people and young adults who translate, know the congregations and work hard is a blessing…there is much adverse impact on the church by the dominant religion and the indifference of the population to spiritual matters….we were grateful for the opportunity to visit with the brethren in Romania.  This visit causes us to think how much we take for granted and how much work there is to be done in this mission field….”

Keith plans to return soon.  HMS

There are well over 1000 adults and children with whom we work with on a regular basis in Romania!  A few of them are desperate for the very necessities of life.  Many of you who read the newsletter responded to our request for funds to provide food for some 200 people in   December.

About 125 were children.   Many of them live near poverty and you should have seen them as they received the gifts of food and candy.  Most of the adults helped were elderly and their regular supply of food is meager, to say the least.  Tears of joy were shed as they received the food bags, each being about $50 of staple food items.

WORKING WITH THE MAYOR OF PITESTI

It has been our practice to provide 50 bags of food and 50 quilts made by our ladies to the Mayor’s Office for the poverty stricken who come to his office for help.  For 11 years we did this but we had to skip last year because of a lack of funds.  However this year the day was set and announced and the Mayor and his personnel gathered with those invited to distribute the much needed food bags at the City Hall.  About 25 needy Pitesti citizens were given food at the gathering.  The Mayor always tells everyone present, and often the news media, who provided this help and he always says “these people practice Christianity.  They don’t just talk about it.” The other 25 who received the food and quilts were those who were elderly or disabled, and could not come to City Hall for this special day.  The Mayor’s staff delivered the food and quilts to their homes.  Certainly the first purpose of our being in Romania is to present the saving grace of God that souls will be saved eternally but as the New Testament of Jesus says “we should remember the poor.”  (Gal. 2:10)

During the year each of the seven churches help with emergency needs as they are able and some of the regular U.S. funds are used for emergency needs as they arise.  However this is a time when we were able to help some 200 adults and children in a special time of need.  This project of purchasing and  packaging the food was done by Romanian Christians.  They were well organized to distribute the entire supply, other than what was done at the Mayor’s office.  Thank you to those who gladly provided funds for this tremendous need.

DARYL NEWTON IN JANUARY

Daryl is a U.S. gospel preacher and teacher who goes several times each year to work with the seven churches.  He is a competent teacher of the word and is also a qualified family counselor.  In January he will not only preach on Sunday but will teach special classes to young people and other ages.  He will spend much time in one to one sessions as opportunities arise.

HMS ON WORK PLANNED FOR 2013

God has given us a New Year!  We begin 2013 with great hope and faith.  The Pitesti church gathered on New Year’s Eve for a time of Bible study and prayer.   Then there was a time for fun and and games and the joy of being together.

Only God knows what the year will bring.  Much work and activity is planned in addition to the regular weekly assemblies and classes.  Many Romanians are strong in faith and are dependable.  As of now, 25 U.S. teachers will be assisting in the work there during the year.  This includes several men and women who have done “short term” teaching in Romania for many years.  Ann Newton and Cindy Rieck will be the teachers for the very special Ladies’ Day Meetings in March and David Gibson will preach an area wide campaign in Cioroiasi in June.  We are now beginning to put together the team of 18 U.S. Bible teachers for the July Classes for children and adults.  Marc Curfman, Mike Grose and Joel Inman will be the instructors in the September Bible Training School in Pitesti for two full weeks.

The Midway church in Jasper leads the way.  Ed Bull, Keith Gann, Raymond Steadman, James Brown and Randy Wood are the elders.  Ed has worked in Romania and Keith Gann and another brother, Randall Nunnelley, plan to go in February.  Midway sacrifices for the Romania work and plans to continue the work long term.  Your continued financial support and fervent prayers are vital in our efforts to continue to spread the “word of God’s grace.”  Our work area includes some 2 million people in Dolj, Valcea and Arges Districts.

Many receive this newsletter.  If for some reason you do not wish to receive it, simply let us know.  However, I must say the number of cards, letters, notes, emails and phone calls to us about the work was the greatest ever this December.  We are grateful.  We try to send updates often about a nation where there is only one church for just over 1,000,000 people.  There is the challenge of hundreds of cities and towns in Romania without the Lord’s church.  Some people are being taught by Romanian brethren in nearby districts, but we do not know what the outcome of this work will be.  God will have to provide the answer.  May He bless us as we continue to work together in Romania to His glory.

With love to all,

Harvey M. Starling

My schedule has become rather flexible much like my energy level. October 29 was my 80th birthday and it was a joy to receive the many cards, emails, and phone calls. I plan to continue to speak at US congregations as is possible and continue my work trips to Romania. However, more and more of the Romanian teaching is being done by three or four other US men. Of course there are some 12 or 13 Romanian men who preach regularly in the seven churches by they will need for sometime the instruction and guidance of US brethren.

As to the work programs in the three districts, they are extensive and broad. Those efforts require funding and I must remind you that we are nearing the end of the year with a sizable deficit in the work fund. Please help now if you can. The need is urgent. Make your contribution to the Midway church.

Daryl Newton and Jeff Martin will be teaching there for two weeks this month. They will be preaching, teaching special classes and teaching many one to one Bible studies. Pray for them.

HMS

“To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” Jude 25

The Pitesti church was the host and was assisted by several from the other congregations in Dolj, Arges, and Valcea. There were brethren from all of the 20 churches in the nation who attended Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The speakers and teachers were all Romanian other than Marc Curfman and David Gibson from the US.

WORKSHOP ATTENDANCE

Thursday, October 18 – 300

Friday Day Sessions, October 19 – 400

Friday Night, October 19 – 450-500

Saturday, October 20 – 350

Please note the large map in this post which pin points the 20 churches. The average attendance is shown for each and also the number of baptisms in 2011 and up until now in 2012. Your prayers, sacrifice, and love helped make the workshop possible. According to many Romanian brethren, it was “a great time of revival and much encouragement.” Midway works on a continuing basis with the seven churches in the three districts, shaded on the map. However, the lectureship or workshop was a nation wide effort which is usually conducted by the Bucharest church.

As you see, the churches are small and often they become discouraged. Your sacrifice helped them to be strengthened and renewed in their efforts to serve God. By God’s grace we shall continue to help them.

HMS

Mrs. Roy Carruth wrote a song some years go “Into Our Hands the Gospel Is Given.” No song we sing teaches
more clearly the work God has given His church in every age. With over 7,000,000,000 people in about 200 nations
today, the challenge is overwhelming. The U.S. church today preaches the gospel in many places. No way can we know
all that is being done, God knows and we thank Him for every soul taught the truth of the gospel.

This newsletter tries to report to you the task of spreading the gospel to 2,000,000 in three districts in
Romania. This is but a tiny part of today’s world and it is a difficult field. It was in 1994 when I and several
other brethren began the church in Pitesti and today there are seven churches and 14 Romanian gospel preachers.
The reason for the progress these few years is God’s grace, the financial sacrifice of so many of you and your
fervent prayers. Some may not be concerned about a lost world but hundreds are because you give “beyond
measure.” This is a thank you to the many churches and individuals who make this gospel effort possible.
Midway is a great church. You will read a note from the elders on the back page of this newsletter.

Romania has been a “full time” work for me for about 15 years. Pat and I were there most of the time but in the
U.S. enough for me to preach at a number of congregations. My work in Romania continues but will be more in training,
planning and helping fund the many needs such as Bibles, Printing, Quilt Program, Children’s Bible Classes, Romanian
Preacher Expense and helping with Emergency Benevolent Needs.

There are excellent U.S. gospel preachers going regularly to preach and do one to one studies. There
are 17 U.S. Bible teachers going to teach 17 Summer Bible classes for children in July. With Romanians these
Christians get the work done. My schedule must be reduced. I cannot possibly answer all the invitations from
congregations in the U.S. and I do not plan any more eight to ten months in Romania each year. Recent visits
with the Sikeston, MO church and the Cedar Grove church near Atlanta, GA have been wonderful beyond
words. The Lord permitting, I am to preach at the Daugherty Street church in Eastland, TX on May 6. They
are great co-workers in the Summer Bible Classes. My next journey to Romania is mid-May with a full
schedule there.

It appears to me that some churches are busy on the “the parade ground” and have neglected the battlefield locally
and in other nations. May we see the “open door” before our eyes and renew our faith, hope and determination to be used
by God to “seek and save” the lost and at the same time “encourage one another.” I should know everyone on my mailing
list but it seems I cannot remember some of you. Incidentally, if you do not wish to receive the newsletter, just let us know.
Be that as it may, I am thankful to God for you, for every co-worker and each one who utters a prayer for the Romanian
work.

Yours for Him,

Harvey M. Starling

Many people and churches receive this newsletter which keeps you informed of our efforts in the Dolj,
Arges and Valcea Districts in Romania. A great number of you contribute to the efforts to get the saving gospel
to the 2,000,000 souls in these three districts. We are grateful for your fellowship and rejoice with you at the
growing of the kingdom. Midway provides substantially for the work fund and with teachers also. Harvey and
Pat Starling have worked full time under our oversight in Romania for many years and it has been a pleasant
and we believe a fruitful work to the glory of God.

We must continue to evangelize this area of Romania and work to mature the Christians in the years
ahead. Your continued support is deeply appreciated as we look to the future. Harvey and Pat are continuing
their work in Romania but others are going regularly to teach and are very vital to the over-all plans for the
future of this work.

We ask your fervent prayers for Midway in the years ahead that the work may continue to expand.
May we also continue to pray for the Christians there that they may remain faithful and diligent in the cause of
Christ.

Your brothers in Christ,
James Brown, Ed Bull, Keith Gann, Raymond Steadman, & Randy Wood

Elders for Midway

Experienced technical difficulties during recording. There are some skips in the sermon

Harvey Preaching at Valcea Seminar

There simply is no way for me to talk one to one with all of you. This common
letter from my heart will have to suffice for now.

The 2012 planned Romania Work Schedule is enclosed. So many of
you have made it possible for the seven churches to come this far in a few
years. The opportunities and challenges are always beyond me, but we keep
at the task.

The seven congregations are active, diligent and sacrificial. It seems to me
they do exceptionally well for so many to be new Christians.

There were 28 baptized in 2011 and already four men and one lady have become Christians this year!
We cannot leave them. I will not leave them, the Lord willing.

Of course there are a number of U.S. teachers and preachers who do great “short term”
work but Romania is what I do all of the time, either “here or there.”

Every Christian has a part in God’s kingdom in one part of the world or another.
Many of you have a very vital part in what we do in Romania and we pray that more will
want to be co-workers to fulfill the 2012 plans. We cannot do it without you.

You will not find a personal hand written note in this newsletter. However
this letter is no less personal. It would be good to see each one of you soon
face to face but for now let us simply continue to walk with the Lord and seek
to take the “word of God’s grace” to all mankind.

Yours for Him,
Harvey

January

Some 1,000 Bibles were distributed to every house in Corbeni.
Invitations were included to attend special classes. They began February 5
with 20 students present! Over 15,000 Bibles have been used in the work
since we began in Pitesti in 1995.

Jan 26-Feb 6 – Valcea Campaign – Speaker – Daryl Newton
Averaged 56 Nightly and Two Baptized in Campaign
Three Men baptized at Valea Stanciului in January
Special planning is given to all Sunday worship assemblies in all
sevencongregations through the entire year. The schedules of
speakers and other public leaders are done by Romanian men. There
are 14 children’s Bible classes each Sunday in the seven
congregations.
There are regular youth Bible classes and classes for young adults as
well as weekly ladies classes. Every Christian and visitor has an
opportunity for special Bible instruction in groups or in one to one
studies. All are contacted regularly by mail, internet or phone.
The Ladies Quilt program continues. More material is being sent this
month and literally hundreds of families have been helped by this good
work. You make this possible.

February

Marc Curfman – February 18-27
Special classes and one to one studies planned
Special emphasis given to new converts

March

Cindy Rieck – Anne Newton March 9-19 Ladies Classes
Pitesti Ladies Day- March 10 75-100 Expected
Craiova Ladies Day- March 17 75-100 Expected

Mark Lowenstein and his wife will teach special deaf classes in
Pitesti and Craiova March 18-28. There are a number of deaf Christians in each
congregation.

April

DAVID GIBSON – April 4-12 working mainly in Dolj

May

May Day in the Park for everyone in both Craiova and Pitesti
Romanian Preachers do all of the preaching this month.
HMS Scheduled for this month

June

Ion Fratostiteanu, a very capable Romanian gospel evangelist
will preach a series of Bible sermons in an open air meeting in Valea
Stanciului in June.
David Gibson plans to work 12 days in Dolj, Arges and Valcea.

July

Sixteen Summer Bible Classes for Children

Sixteen U.S. teachers are scheduled to teach Summer Bible classes for children July 5-16, 2012. The plan is to have 16 U.S. teachers, 16 translators and 10 Romanian helpers. Attendance should be about 300 children plus adult morning classes at each congregation. HMS will recruit U.S. teachers and direct this work.

August

Bible Camp is scheduled for August but no specific date is set at
this time. (Daryl Newton Ion Fratostiteanu Iulia Vasile)
Iulia Vasile edits a newsletter for all seven churches each Sunday. It
provides worship schedules, sick, request for prayer, a special article
each week by Marc Curfman and much more.

September

Pitesti Bible Training School – August 26-September 9
Some 40 students are scheduled to attend this two weeks Bible Training
School. Glendale and Wetumpka will provide funds.
Instructors are Ion Fratostiteanu, Marc Curfman and Joel Inman

October

All Romanian Bible Conference for all 19 congregations in the
nation.

Pitesti will host this workshop October 18-19-20. The Bucharest
church has conducted this event for 20 years.
Oct 10-22 – David Gibson
Oct 3-30 – HMS
Oct 17-29 – Marc Curfman

November

November 1-12 U.S. Bible Teaching Team
Emergency medical and food needs arise often. The local churches
provide some of these needs but our help is urgent on various
occasions.

December

Romanian preachers will do all the preaching in December
We were not able to provide the 50 food bags through the mayor’s
office, in December, 2011 for the first time in 12 years. No funds were
available, but we hope to resume this project this year.

The local churches provide funds as they are able for upkeep of their
meeting places, repair and maintenance. However in the past year or
two, U.S. brethren replaced all the 70 year old original windows and
doors in the Pitesti building, which we did not replace when we
remodeled the building 11 years ago, replaced the 11 year old heater
and remodeled the basement in Pitesti which has five classrooms.

Many other needs are pressing and will be done as Romanian and U.S.
funds are available.

HMS

TO EACH CO-WORKER IN 2011:

Your financial sacrifice in 2011 for the people of Romania was a tremendous help! You
receive many requests and calls from various places for real needs and you chose to sacrifice to
help us continue to meet the challenges in Romania. I am deeply grateful! This is what we
must do to keep the church growing as we begin 2012:

1. Twenty eight (28) souls were baptized into Christ in 2011 in the three districts.
We have an extensive plan to help each new Christian grow in 2012 in the seven
congregations. This work is urgent and absolutely necessary.

2. Another four nights special Bible services will be presented in the Valcea Civic
Center in late January. Daryl Newton will be the speaker and we will be working
all week with the more than 100 visitors who attended the November, 2011 series.

3. Work reports, plans and budgets are being given now in each of the seven
churches by Romanian men. The Romanian Christians are being challenged to
serve and sacrifice.

You have helped greatly to “sound out the word of the Lord” in the three districts where
2,000,000 live. It is our plan to keep you updated regularly on the growth, opportunities and
challenges as we continue our efforts in Romania. Thank you and may God continue to bless
all of us to His glory.

Yours for Him,
Harvey M. Starling

(Photograph courtesy Wendy Wood)

Church Leaders’ Dinner Feedback (SurveyGizmo)

2012 Connect Retreat Feedback

We’re so glad your child(ren) attended the 2012 Connect Retreat at the Laguna Beach Christian Retreat in Panama City Beach, FL! Not only did everyone behave tremendously, but everyone was committed to growing closer as a group to one another and to the Lord. When hearts are willing, great things happen. We hope these questions will help you as you discuss the weekend with them over the next few weeks.

Which fellow youth group members did I grow closest to? Which events and conversations helped me do so?

Which adult chaperones did I grow closest to? Which events and conversations helped me do so?

Which principles from the Bible (especially the books of 1-2 Timothy) did I connect with the most? Which principles will help me grow the most?

What did I learn/feel during the prayer time on Saturday PM (prayer stations and praying for others in the circle)?

Whose words of encouragement (on Sunday PM) meant the most and why?

What spiritual/Biblical memories will stand out the most in the weeks/months/years to come? What fun and relationship memories will stand out the most in the weeks/months/years to come?

Friday, January 13, 2012, was a great day for the people of Corbeni,
Arges, Romania! This was the day that 15 Christians most of them from
Pitesti and two from Corbeni distributed 1,000 Bibles, including 300
children’s Bibles to every house in the area.

The church in Corbeni is small. The average attendance is about 20
each Sunday but Petre Nedelea, the first person converted in Corbeni
some six years ago put together this plan to get the word of the Lord to
every home. The total of the number of people in the homes receiving the
Bible is between 4,000 and 5,000.

Each packet included the Bible and information on the church
offering special services to all the people, including weekly English classes
for children. The specific services offered for all begins the first Saturday
of February. Of course, the church has regular worship assemblies each
Sunday in an adequate meeting place, originally constructed and used as a
bar for serving alcohol and providing gambling. There are visitors each
Sunday and several more are expected as a result of the special Bible
distribution project.

U.S. Christians provided the funds to purchase the full Romanian
Bibles at a cost of $7.50 each. The 300 children’s Bibles were given by
Eastern European Missions in Dallas, TX.

A statement from Petre Nedelea about this effort to spread the
gospel in Corbeni, “We are all thankful that this work has been done and
we are anxiously praying and waiting to see what contacts can be made
from this door to door project. The work and zeal of the Christians who did
the work was outstanding, and we thank God for the joy of working
together.”

Corbeni is one of seven congregations in Dolj, Arges and Valcea
Districts. Total attendance each Sunday for the seven churches is from
275 to 300 people. Peter is one of the several preachers of the gospel in
the three districts.

Harvey M. Starling

MIDWAY CHURCH OF CHRIST
P.O. BOX 915
MADISON, AL 35758

Your financial sacrifice in 2011 for the people of Romania was a tremendous help! You
receive many requests and calls from various places for real needs and you chose to sacrifice to
help us continue to meet the challenges in Romania. I am deeply grateful! This is what we
must do to keep the church growing as we begin 2012:

1. Twenty eight (28) souls were baptized into Christ in 2011 in the three districts.
We have an extensive plan to help each new Christian grow in 2012 in the seven
congregations. This work is urgent and absolutely necessary.

2. Another four nights special Bible services will be presented in the Valcea Civic
Center in late January. Daryl Newton will be the speaker and we will be working
all week with the more than 100 visitors who attended the November, 2011 series.

3. Work reports, plans and budgets are being given now in each of the seven
churches by Romanian men. The Romanian Christians are being challenged to
serve and sacrifice.

You have helped greatly to “sound out the word of the Lord” in the three districts where
2,000,000 live. It is our plan to keep you updated regularly on the growth, opportunities and
challenges as we continue our efforts in Romania. Thank you and may God continue to bless
all of us to His glory.

Yours for Him,
Harvey M. Starling

Family Communication Information

Thanks for your participation!

Many thousands of brochures and invitations were distributed in the city in this campaign and Harvey Starling preached four nights in the Civic Center auditorium. The attendance was about 100 each night with near 100 different visitors during the week.

Daryl Newton and Robbie Holt along with nine Romanian Christians worked each day to personally contact the visitors and teach specific one to one Bible studies. Over 200 Bibles were given to those visiting and for their families.

The church meets in a nice rented room in the Civic center each Sunday with an attendance the past year about 18 to 20 present. The Sunday after the campaign, there were 31 present, including 10 visitors from the city.

Every Valcea Christian worked diligently to prepare for the week and also during the week. They are excited and thankful for the U.S. brethren who came to help and for the funds given for the campaign.

Of the near 100 visitors, it seems there may be 20 to 30 people very interested in continuing the study of the gospel and become Christians.

Romania, as is most of Europe, is a difficult field for the growth of the kingdom. Through the years since the revolution in 1989, there have been a good number of U.S. families who came to Romania to serve full time in the gospel. Today, as far as Romanian brethren know, there are 18 congregations in the entire nation. This does not include a number of congregations which began in the late 90’s or early 2000 but no longer meet and no congregation now exists. Some of the 18 are very small with attendance two to 10 on the Lord’s Day. The largest church is Bucharest.

There are seven active congregations in Dolj, Arges and Valcea Districts who often work together in special studies and evangelistic activities. Four have been baptized in the past month in the seven churches and as of this date, 25 souls have been added to the Lord’s church this year in the seven congregations.

Follow up will continue in Valcea by Romanian brethren and another special Bible seminar is planned for late January, 2012 in Valcea with Daryl Newton speaking during the week. Many from the November campaign are expected to attend this January series.

Specific request were made to U.S. churches and individuals to help financially in this campaign. Several brethren responded to make this effort possible. We are deeply appreciative!

Harvey M. Starling

November 28, 2011