Aug 08: Ordinand Interview - John Izvernariu



How did you first come to know the Lord?

I was born in a Baptist family, and I attended church regularly with my family until I was 14. After I had been in Australia for some time, I started going through a nervous breakdown that lasted two years. During this time I prayed to the Lord to help me. When He helped me I dedicated my life to Him and to His cause.


What inspired you to become ordained?

I was ordained in the Grace Romanian Baptist Church in 2001, and as I became more and more involved with the wider communities and the BUV, I realised that I needed more skill than I had to be compatible in this particular calling.


What’s the best and hardest thing about ministry?

It is a real challenge to be involved in the wider communities, to be interactive with them and the strength of character, which I achieved during the time I studied with Whitley College and the BUV. One of the hardest things for me in my ministry is the lack of time to do proper pastoral care because I work fulltime, I study, and I have a church to take care of.


What are your prayers and hopes for your future ministry?

I pray to the Lord to give me good health, strength, and righteousness.


How have you found the ordination process?

At the beginning I found the process of ordination very difficult, but as I persisted in my progress I found out that it is very enlightening and helpful. I recommend that all of the pastors ordained in their culture do the ordination process, because in the four years of this process I found out that I did have a calling from the Lord.


What are your thoughts on some key issues facing Baptist ministry today?

Women’s ordination, community care, pastoral ethics, and conflict crises in the church.


How do we ensure that we’re part of a healthy congregation?

Have very close relationships with the people in the church, and we stay together within the boundaries of the Bible.


What do you do to relax?

Swimming, walking and reading is my relaxation time.


What are some of your favourite things?

When I’m among people and I interact in the wider communities.



John Izvernariu is being ordained from 2:15pm on Sunday 12th October at Mill Park Baptist Church.


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