Partnerships
Our primary partnerships are with two Moldovan organizations.
CSC (Christian Student Community) focuses on university students and recent graduates.
Invest Credit is focused on economic development using microfinance as a primary tool.
In addition, we appreciate other difference-makers who share in God's work in Moldova.
University Students and Recent Graduates
Inspired by the initiative of a few Moldovan students, our dream when we moved to Moldova in 1996 was that a movement of Christian students might be established as a witness for Christ in their universities. CSC is the realization of that dream, thanks to some visionary Moldovans and an abundance of support from the IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students). CSC currently serves hundreds of university students out of two centers, one in the capital city of Chișinau, the other in the northern city of Bălți. CSC board member Rodica Rosior is an example of a visionary leader; she provides critical support and encouragement for Christian university graduates seeking to be salt and light in their workplace, working with IFES Graduate Impact throughout Europe and Eurasia.
Kevin (IFES), Anatol (CSC), Gary, Peggy, Barrett (IFES)
IFES World Assembly 2007
(Official CSC affiliation with IFES)
CSC Bălți staff and students
Initial gathering of new academic year
Moldova’s location between Western/Central Europe and Eurasia leads to unique opportunities for Moldovans to serve the kingdom of God.
Rodica Rosior
relaxing with Peggy
Tim Vickers
IFES Europe Associate Regional Secretary
Leading a Graduate Impact workshop in Moldova
Economic Development using Microfinance
Another primary relationship in Moldova is with Invest Credit, the faith-based microfinance institution established and led by Moldovans whom we first met in 1997. This part of our work significantly depends on our relationship with PEER Servants, a group of primarily volunteers who partner with indigenous, autonomous microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Africa, Eurasia, and the Americas
Invest Credit leaders Ghena and Serghei
with Gary at Ricchari, the PEER Servants International Conference in Peru
Todd Engelsen
President, PEER Servants
A few of the others who are making a difference
Our relationship with InterVarsity has been a major factor in our spiritual development. Without InterVarsity we wouldn't have moved to and been supported in Moldova. For nine years after Moldova we were full time staff with InterVarsity, primarily at The Ohio State University. It was there we developed relationships with CGSA, the Ohio State fellowship of graduate students that has been partnering with CSC, sacrificially providing financial support for evangelistic outreach such as the annual CSC winter retreat. As volunteer staff we still have regular contact with InterVarsity Graduate and Faculty Ministry and InterVarsity Link (the latter encouraging student mission in Moldova and many other countries).
Visiting CGSA
Ohio State Graduate Students
In late 2012, we relocated from Columbus, Ohio to Holland, Michigan…where God continues to open doors for relationships with Moldova, in particular through connections with Hope College. Our relationship with Hope College professor Tom Smith resulted in a 2017 visit to Moldova for consultations and teaching with CSC and Invest Credit.
Tom Smith, Hope College Professor
(with appreciation to translator Marcela)
Speaking at joint Invest Credit—CSC event
in Balti,Moldova
God continues to connect us with men and women who have a common desire to see God’s kingdom come, his will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Moldovan Students
Demonstrating the O-H-I-O tradition