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Kishinev, Moldova
Hamm conducts evangelistic crusade in Moldova


Viktor Hamm conducted the “Moldova-2000” crusade June 2-4 in Kishinev, Moldova. For over a year, more than 500 evangelical churches in Moldova had prepared for this ministry.

Moldova, a small republic of the former Soviet Union, is in a state of political, economic and moral collapse. Christians decided to celebrate 2000 years of Christianity by offering the gospel to their countrymen. Prayer became the focal point of the crusade preparations.

Every night of the crusade the soccer stadium was packed, with a total attendance of over 60,000 – breaking the stadium’s attendance record. Thousands were unable to attend due to police and fire regulations. The nightly program included an 800-voice choir, various musical groups, testimonies by star athletes and a message by Hamm. He called people to be reconciled with God, and 5,200 individuals responded; another 650 people re-dedicated their lives to the Lord. Hundreds of follow-up centres throughout Moldova are helping new believers to grow in Christ.

“We have always believed that there will be a revival in our country before the return of Christ. That revival began today,” said Ivan P. Belev, who had spent years in prison for his faith under the Soviet regime. The crusade exemplified the power of Christian unity. Now, there are discussions among denominations to set up an Evangelical Alliance of Moldova.

Hundreds of buses and two chartered trains (“trains of life”) brought people daily – some travelling up to six hours – to the meetings from 380 towns and villages of Moldova. Christian youth organized mini-services in the train cars. Churches covered half of the costs for the chartered buses. A leader of a notorious gang, who had heard Hamm preach at an earlier time, brought a busload of gang members to the meetings.

Local organizers faced numerous challenges. Christians had to repair over 8,000 seats at the stadium. Days before the meetings, the Soccer Federation decided to hold a match – Moldova vs. Russia – during the time of the crusade, moving the last meeting to an earlier time slot.

The meetings were carried on the Internet and the national TV network. A TV journalist who interviewed Hamm, said, “If I had heard these truths earlier, I would have spent my life differently”.

Hamm also addressed the members of the Moldovan Parliament at a prayer breakfast and visited the Krikovo maximum-security prison. Hamm prayed with some of the inmates. A group of 30 prisoners now meets for Bible study. Humanitarian aid and New Testaments were distributed to inmates.

 – From a report by Viktor Hamm

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Last modified September 20, 2000.

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