Outstretched Hands of Romania: About Outstretched Hands

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About Outstretched Hands

Outstretched Hands (OH) brings together people in Romania and other countries who are dedicated to reaching impoverished children, and other poor, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Due to the poor conditions in Romania, it is vital to have a comprehensive plan that not only focuses on saving souls, but also on ministering to obvious physical needs. They also need to know that there is a God who loves them deeply and who has a purpose for their lives; but spiritual darkness prevails amidst the extreme poverty and lack of purpose.

Understanding these conditions and the task at hand, Pastor Brad Hayes, his wife Nora, and his family moved to Romania in September of 2001. The Hayes family has answered God's call to minister to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the people in the region of Calarasi. They work together with the OH staff as an effective team, each knowing their important and valued role. But they can't do it alone!

Our Plan is to work with, and through, the local churches around Calarasi to evangelize and establish more churches. We welcome the involvement of Western churches and short-terms missions groups to assist us in reaching this area. Equipping, supporting, and mentoring leaders is a vital aspect of OH in order to fulfill our vision. There are over 100 small villages around Calarasi, which have no real Christian influence. By assisting churches, OH also has many opportunities to meet physical needs and distribute aid gathered from other countries.

The Outstretched Hands Team

GEO CIHEREAN

Geo Ciherean is a multi-talented individual who works directly with Brad Hayes in most facets of the Outstretched Hands of Romania ministry. Geo is the main translator for the English speaking missionaries who work with OH, takes care of all visa's and legal matters, oversees all building projects which OH participates in, and is heavily involved in the children's outreaches OH puts on for village churches each summer and fall.

Geo originally came to Calarasi 6 years ago with a team to plant a church. His experience on the mission field has been extremely valuable for the consistent growth of the Outstretched Hands ministry. He is one of the worship leaders in the local church and has a burning passion to reach teenagers with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Geo is a natural evangelist who easily develops relationships with the lost and hurting and shows them the love of Jesus. One of Geo's dreams is to open a Christian coffeehouse ministry in Calarasi and use it as a central meeting point for teenagers. Geo's impeccable integrity and love for people make him a big influence in the lives of all those around him.

ANGIE KNAPP

Angie, from New Berlin, WI, has visited Romania several times. She is now living with the Hayes family in Calarasi. Besides helping Nora with homeschooling, she is also involved in children's ministries in the villages, drama at the local church in Calarasi and works with finances on the Romanian end. She has a desire to work with teenagers in the village of Chiselet. Angie's willingness to do whatever is asked of her makes her a valuable member of the team.

TERENCE AND NELIA VAN NIEKERK

Terence and Nelia have become an integral part of OH of Romania. They both graduated from Bible school in their home country of South Africa. Terence is a gifted Bible teacher and helpful in many areas of ministry. They are both helping with the Healthy Hearts program which includes: organizing and distributing container items, medical issues, school programs, etc. Their desire is to spend more time with poor families, getting to know them and ministering in various ways. Their focus is the poor neighborhood, Caramidari/Obor, on the outskirts of the city of Calarasi, where mostly Gypsy and Turkish people are living. Terence has been taking the lead in reaching out to this neighborhood, and that is really where their hearts are. Ministry there has been going on for almost a year now. Together with the Hayes girls and Angie they are having weekly children’s ministry over there, while Terence is spending much time there getting to know the families, sharing the gospel and praying with the people. Nelia is very helpful working with Nora in women's ministries and has become quite good at translating.

Outstretched Hands of Romania is organized as a 501(c)(3) organization.