If missionary work is to be lasting, the question above answers an important issue. All the churches in the Bible were Independent autonomous churches. The churches of Asia Minor started through the ministry of the apostle Paul were completely autonomous. They did not meddle or seek authority in each other’s business. In other words, you find no "convention", "associational", or "state" churches in the Bible. The principle of each assembly providing for its own needs, setting its own doctrine, and following its own conscience in service to the Lord is a fundamental issue that must be put into place on the missionfield, or the churches that are started there will not last past the missionary who starts them. I do not want to be a permanent pastor for our churches in Romania. I am to do the work of an evangelist. There are many other places to reach. The independent Baptist churches in Brasov and Racos which we have started all need their own pastors. They all should provide for their own needs. They all need to do their own service for God without Mr. American Missionary. This takes time, but is certainly the goal. Too many times around, the world the missionary churches do not last past the farewell flight of the missionary, or the last payment of his money for their bills. Why do I say all this? You need to pray with us that the Romanian nationals will give their money to pay their bills and learn the Bible to maturity so they can go on without us one day. We are trying to gradually push them out of the nest to do this. Praise the Lord for the following growth in the lives of the believers: (1) Johnny, a Bible Institute student, has been developing and delivering messages all by himself in the church in Racos! (2) Peter, our Institute graduate, has been doing Bible studies in the church in Brasov and in the village of Budila as well as driving a bus route of adults to church. (3) Cornel has been teaching Sunday School, writing gospel tracts, doing village Bible studies, leading the music, translating, running the college outreach ministry, and developing chalk drawing sermons. (4) Sergiu is leading the singing, translating, doing church maintenance, and teaching Sunday School. (5) Some of the ladies have been developing and delivering their own lessons for children’s Bible classes. (6) The churches are giving faithfully in offerings. (7) The churches keep growing spiritually and are involved in evangelistic outreaches. However, in the midst of all this blessed news, there is an overshadowing need that stands in the way of the church in Brasov being self-supportive and autonomous. They cannot provide their own place of meeting. The church in Racos has their own property thanks to gifts from the brethren in the USA. The church in the city needs their own place as well. Prices for land in Romania are at an all time high. It is more expensive to buy land or buildings here than it is in the USA, Germany, or France. I cannot explain this fully, but it is nonetheless a fact. My present savings with the giving of the people will not provide the needed funds. The rental contract for our present location runs out in one more year. For this cause I am informing you all that in the month of JUNE all monies sent into Antioch Missionary Ministries will be set aside for property for Brasov Independent Baptist Church unless otherwise marked. This includes all personal support for my family. This is not begging for your gift but rather an explanation of where all monies which are given in June will go. Please pray with us that God will continue to nurture autonomous churches through our ministry and that the gospel will flourish in Eastern Europe.