Sighisoara, Romania––On Sunday, 4 Octo­ber, the Sighisoara Church of the Naza­rene honored Rev. Magda Balaban—who has served in Sighisoara for the past 10 years—and blessed her as she enters a new chapter of her life.

Balaban came to Sighisoara in Sep­tember 1999, following her graduation from European Nazarene Bible College in Germany. Her original assignment was to work in the Veritas ministry for disabled persons. In time, she devoted full-time to church-related ministries at the Sighisoara church. Her ministry focused on work­ing with the senior adults who attend the church and the daily elderly program at the church.

Balaban’s ministry has also included leading weekday prayer meetings and Bible studies, translating sermons and literature, serving on the District Advisory Board, teaching children’s church, and teaching American students who come with the Romanian Studies Program.

After preaching the morning message, Balaban announced to the congregation that she has accepted a job in Bucharest. Balaban, an ordained deacon in the Church of the Nazarene, is like many ministers on the Southeastern Europe Field who must rely financially on employ­ment outside the church.

After an all-church dinner follow­ing the service, those gathered viewed a PowerPoint presentation celebrating Balaban’s 10 years in Sighisoara. Many offered thanks for her service, and the church board presented her with a piece of Transylvanian pottery, a painting of Sighisoara, and a Sighisoara mug. As one person said, “The Sighisoara Church’s loss is the Bucharest Church’s gain.”