“Being a Christian, I am at risk in Sudan. I only went back to visit my relatives in 2008,” the pastor explains his refugee-like status.

Indeed, at the ‘Spiritual Revival’ celebration, every one prays with different words, in a different language. At prayer time, all people stand up and everyone talks to God, in its own manner. The interwoven voices are diverse, harmonious and touching. It’s like hearing all the races of the Earth celebrating life all-together.

While most nations in Europe are faced with problems of immigrant integration, this church in Romania offer an excellent model to replicate, provided sincere political will exists.

Here every continent and religion brings its shade to the prayer. Since the first segment was from Africa, the next moment is Asian-flavored.

“Because of your love only we are alive,” opens a Burmese song performed by the Myanmar’s refugees group in their native language. People listen to the music, even if they don’t understand the words. In the words of a Romanian participant, “God’s voice doesn’t need translation.”

After the song ends, people turn to each other, smile, shake hands and wish each other peace and happiness. Probably this is the moment when newcomers feel the most tempted to integrate into this small, but welcoming religious community.

“It’s not difficult at all to interact with people from other cultures. We are all the same!” says Ms Florin, a young Romanian man.

As the prayer goes on, people sing joyfully in English and Romanian, moving their heads and clapping their hands.

“When you sing to God, you can’t sing it without life!” Peter Rong explains in his signature tone of a preacher.

“I only met Peter Rong two months ago, but I can say he and his wife are indeed very special people,” says Nihal, a middle-aged Sri Lankan who came to Romania on a two-years work contract.

While Nihal is a temporary resident in Romania, other foreigners who come to the celebration are refugees, forced to leave their respective homelands due to persecution.

Most of the people who come at the ‘Spiritual Revival’ church are in need of help, material, spiritual, or both. The pastor encourages the church members to visit each other and offer mutual help.

“We do help people in need through the church: refugees and immigrants, Romanians and the Roma people . . . We make no discrimination,” says Pastor Rong.

Whenever questioned about their motivation to attend the ‘Spiritual Revival’ celebration, most people give credit to the pastor’s personal charisma.

“Peter Rong has a magnetic power to attract people of different nationalities and unite them by the Christian ideal,” says appreciative Carol Schulz, an 80-year old young-at-heart American who joined the ‘Spiritual Revival’ community five years ago.

“He is very biblical, I like that. Baptism is about interpreting the Bible and assuming full responsibility upon your choices,” details Robert, another American, who joined the community only seven months ago.

Both Carol and Robert share a real passion for helping people. While the old woman is helping young drug addicts start a new life at the Teen Challenge organization. Once a week, Robert visits a female orphanage in Bucharest.

Today’s youth usually draw off from religious activities. But that’s not the case of Daniela, a teen-aged Serbian girl. “I have been a member of this church for 10 years, ever since I was a child. I love this place, the people and of course, I love singing!”

Yet Peter Rong remains a modest man. “Through my own power, I can’t convince anyone,” exclaims Pastor Peter Rong. “I can only pray to God to be able to touch them!”

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