Romania Leadership Ministries

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Our Story

Elisei and Adriana were born in Romania and lived under its communist regime until they were in their early thirties. Elisei's family has had a strong influence on his walk with God as his father had pastoral roles in Romania in the Ploiesti, Prahova, and Buzau areas. 

Early Ministry in Romania

  • 1981-1985 - Elisei is the editor of 'The Way of Faith'.
  • 1985 - Elisei is arrested for unauthorized distribution of Bibles and Christian literature and sentenced for three years in prison and one year of forced labor.
  • 1986 - after about one year receives personal amnesty from Nicolae Ceau'escu due to pressure on his regime.
  • 1988 - came to the United States with political asylum

Ministry from the United States

  • 1988 - Elisei and Adriana lived in the Chicago area working, studying for the ministry and raising three daughters.
  • 1992 - Founded Timotheus Bible Institute in Bucharest
  • 1993 - Elisei graduated from Moody Graduate School with a Masters degree in Biblical Studies.
  • 1995 - Elisei and Adriana became citizens of the United States of America.

Return to Romania

  • 1996 - Elisei and Adriana went to Romania as missionaries
  • Teaching at the Timotheus Bible Institute
  • Preaching at Antioch Church
  •  Training Christians in different cities of Romania
  • Adriana was also involved in women ministry in the local church and in other churches in the Bucharest and Ploiesti areas
  • Elisei spoke each week on the Radio Voice of the Gospel network
  • Elisei and Adriana both translated Christian books and articles from English into Romanian.

Founding RLM

  • 2000 - Elisei and Adriana returned to the U.S. when their daughters began college.
  • 2000 - Rebuild Romania Ministries incorporated in Illinois USA Initial Directors: Elisei Rusu, Robert Colbert, William Coyle.
  • 2006 - Returned to Bucharest as permanent missionaries on a United States passport and Romanian visa. 
  • Teaching modular courses at Timotheus Bible Institute.
  • Speaking at conferences and seminars.