By Larry Barker, VP of Strategy and Training • BMA Global
The apostle Paul once asked a simple but powerful question through his example: Do you have a Timothy? Are you investing your life in developing leaders who will carry the gospel forward?
That question lies at the heart of World Missions Day, celebrated by BMA churches on Feb. 22, and it is beautifully illustrated in the story of Dani Bagosi — a pastor, church planter, and leader in Romania whose life was forever changed through faithful gospel investment.
More than two decades ago, my family was preparing to move to Romania. God burdened our hearts for the nation’s pastors, men who often shepherded three or four churches at a time, traveling long distances and serving with limited resources.
One of those pastors was George Padure, and I asked him to introduce me to a young seminary student who might benefit from encouragement and support. My heart was to be a Paul to a young Timothy.
That student was Dani Bagosi. At the time, Dani was working full-time as a salesman while studying theology at Immanuel University in Oradea. For three years, he rode his bicycle more than 30 miles each day, commuting to work and school, often getting by on only four to five hours of sleep. As graduation approached, Dani reached a breaking point. Without an additional $50 per month, he would be forced to drop out of school to support his mother and sister.
Dani prayed, trusting God would provide. One week later, Pastor Padure introduced us. In a moment only God could orchestrate, the exact need Dani had been praying over was met — $50 a month to continue his education. That decision, made in obedience and faith, changed generations.
Today, Dani and his wife, Claudia, serve as ChangeMakers in Romania. Together with their three children, they are faithfully sharing the gospel, training leaders, and planting churches. Most recently, they planted Agape Baptist Church on the south side of Oradea, evidence that disciples become leaders and leaders multiply churches.
Stories like Dani’s are happening all over the world. Through World Missions Day, churches partner together to invest in men and women who are being trained, sent, and sustained for long-term gospel work. When churches give, they are not just supporting missionaries; they are helping raise up the next generation of Timothys — and those Timothys are changing the world.
For more information about World Missions Day, visit bmaglobal.org/worldmissionsday.
