What We Can Learn From Romanian Entrepreneurs

At the FORGE 2024 Global Summit in Cluj, Romania, we were able to witness firsthand how God is transforming Romania and Moldova through the marketplace.

Each FORGE Global Summit has been hosted in a different country in order to put on display what God is doing in the different faith-driven business ecosystems around the world. 

Romania is unique in that it ranks in the top 20% of entrepreneurial economies globally only three decades after the fall of the iron curtain. Christian business leaders in Romania created Guild Faith, a group dedicated to prayer, discipleship, and generosity. They, along with leaders in neighboring Moldova, have been pioneering a path for business development and Christian witness in a post-Soviet context. 

Here are a few of the traits we saw lived out among this group of passionate entrepreneurs:

A Unified Pursuit of Faith and Business Excellence

We witnessed firsthand how Romanians and Moldovans are seamlessly integrating their faith in Christ into their businesses both in the businesses we learned about and at the summit.

In addition to the nearly 40 nations present, the summit brought together a diverse group of local stakeholders—politicians, academics, church leaders, ministry figures, and members of civil society—all united in their commitment to fostering business growth and spiritual transformation. This level of collaboration and shared passion for advancing God's kingdom is a rare and powerful phenomenon, setting these ecosystems apart from many others around the globe.

Humility and Generosity at the Core

Perhaps the most striking observation was the humility and generosity of the entrepreneurs we encountered. These leaders, many of whom are managing multi-million dollar enterprises, are dedicating their time, talents, and resources to uplift fellow businesses. A notable instance during the FORGE week was a group of Romanian entrepreneurs taking the time to step away and pray with one of the country's wealthiest businessmen at a restaurant—a testament to their ever-present readiness to serve God's purpose.

The spirit of "giving back" is also palpable, with many successful business owners becoming investors in other ventures, reducing reliance on Western investment and fostering a self-sustaining economic environment. This generosity movement is unprecedented; millions of dollars have been donated to charities, ministries, and other businesses by these entrepreneurial leaders, showcasing a grassroots-driven approach to philanthropy that we haven't seen replicated elsewhere and the impact they are having on their nation.

Transformational Impact

Profitable businesses create jobs, providing income and opportunity for others, but it doesn’t stop there. They support supply chains, the local church, even governments — changing economies from the inside out. And when these leaders view their role in the community as a way to live out their faith, people come to know Christ.

Even at FORGE, three individuals committed their lives to Christ, and three more chose to be baptized immediately following the event. It was reminiscent of Acts 2:47 as we watched these friends "praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

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It was truly inspiring to see God at work in this area of the world.

We invite you to watch this video to see firsthand the incredible impact Kingdom entrepreneurs are having in Romania and Moldova. 

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