Nestled at the foot of the Carpathian
Mountains, the TITUS family gathered for our third annual Field Conference. As TITUS missionary Becky Wilder (Romania) expressed, "I feel like I have been to a royal, week-long, spiritual feast." Indeed, we feasted on God's Word as taught by Pastor Mike Donald from Calvert City, Kentucky. His timely messages on Authentic Worship, Bible Style, spoke to our hearts. We continued our feast as we fellowshipped with other believers through music, prayer and testimonies. Finally, we feasted on the beauty of creation while hiking the mountains together. Our number increased to include additional workers who had labored so diligently with our missionaries and national pastors over the past year. Higher Ground Foundation, our sponsor, was kind enough to host a total of 81 delegates. The conference was more than we could have ever expected. The bonding in Christ that took place at the conference cannot be fully understood without having personally experienced it! Several missionaries expressed words of praise: “We thank you for your generosity and vision to help equip nationals. It is wonderful to be able to provide this treat for our leaders, as they labored so hard for souls throughout the summer!” Gerald and Kristin Ziemer (Romania) “…Seeing God’s Handiwork made us all the more aware of God’s power and might. The fellowship wth other TITUS Team members gave us a sense of family! The conference was spiritually refreshing, and we came away energized to continue our ministry.” Loreen Ittermann (Moldova) After the Field Conference, Alice and I spent the weekend with the Ziemers. The main event was the Inaugural Ceremony for the new building at Fundulea where over three hundred people met to worship and praise God for His goodness. Following the service, everyone stayed for a dinner prepared by the members of the church. The Lord continues to bless the Ziemer family and the Nationals who work with this ministry in Fundulea.

-Dave Marcum

OUR EVER-EXPANDING NATIONAL TEAMS IN MOLDOVA, UKRAINE AND ROMANIA!

Dr. Loreen Ittermann now has 50 full-time nationals on her team. In her update she writes: "The Titus Team in Moldova continues to experience much growth as our ministry expands. The pastors are busy with their churches and are continuing to plant new ones. The Teacher Training Institute continues to train teachers so they can return to their teaching posts fully equipped to be more effective teachers in the schools, orphanages, camps, and churches. The orphanage is in full swing with the little ones rescued from the trash piles now enjoying a warm, loving home in which they can better understand the love of Christ.

Thank you for your prayers and support. Without you, it would be impossible to witness these great and awesome wonders in this part of the world which was closed for over 70 years. Again, the doors are slowly beginning to close. But, we have many young nationals now trained and ready to continue fulfilling the mandate of Jesus Christ to go and spread the Gospel here in the Republic of Moldova and in the uttermost parts of the Earth."

Vlad and Julia Kozobovoskii completed their pre-field ministry during Vlad's last year of his four-year Bible College training at Appalachian Bible College. Within one month after graduation they departed for Ukraine. They are now into their third year of effective missionary ministry in and around the needy capitol city of Kiev. Vlad's work in the Ukraine is a multi-faceted ministry. The Bible Institute trains national students to become pastors and Christian workers. Last year they graduated over fifty students. This training includes evangelistic outreach ministries into various parts of the country. Vlad also encourages other national pastors by assisting them in their various churches.

Masato and Miki Funakoshi have been working in Odessa, Ukraine for the past four years. About two years ago they founded Odessa Mission of Kakogawa Baptist Church. They have undertaken the difficult task of establishing an indigenous church in this city. Their outreach through English, Japanese, and music has resulted in many coming to Christ. Masato carries on a six-month discipleship program for new believers. He meets weekly with each one for Bible study. When the attendance grew to fifty adults meeting in their small flat for their Sunday Services, they were able to secure a kindergarten to rent. They can now accomodate many more people.

Gerald and Kathy Whitely are in Romania at the time this Newsletter is being printed. They are leading an evangelistic team of ten people in ministry there. They also plan to take the Seniors from Calvary Christian School, where Kathy has taught and ministered for many years, to Romania for their senior trip. What a wonderful way for students to spend their senior trip--ministering ony a foreign mission field!