Spring, 2025 Newsletter

Alejandro Venegas
Apr 18
6 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Hello! We hope you are doing well.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. This one is a bit longer, so grab a coffee (or anything else) and enjoy the update!

Let's begin with Romania:

Lighthouse (our community hub) is doing well! Lately, it has been less busy than normal, due to some college programs finishing and others starting. Nevertheless, Lighthouse still brings people together and impacts the lives of students and young adults, both Romanians and internationals.

We rejoice in running Lighthouse and having the opportunity to serve the community and host other ministries that desire to create meaningful conversations and spread the gospel of Christ.

Some of the projects we host are Lighthouse:

Language Cafe: Free Romanian classes for international students, to encourage community and friendships.
Spiritual Talks: A place for those curious to explore life questions, faith, and spirituality, regardless of their beliefs.
Open Mic: Local artists (believers and non-believers) present their talents through music and poetry. This is to bring people together and share the gospel in a different way that will impact their lives.
And many more

Lighthouse is a place where the light shines!

As a family, we had the opportunity to visit the city of Arad (a Romanian city in the western part of the country), where we met with a local minister for a time of fellowship, to learn about the work they do, and how we could help them.

Something beautiful about this meeting was that there were many with different Christian backgrounds and nationalities. Everyone left behind their different points of view to come together on what matters the most. That is preaching the gospel of Christ, His salvation based on grace, and making disciples. It is truly powerful when, as the church of Christ, we can love beyond what makes us different to expand and represent His kingdom.

As well, I have had the opportunity to preach in the Sunday service in a local romanian roma (gypsy) church and at the local church we attend. It is with great joy, honor, and responsibility that we get to share the gospel of our Saviour.

Now let’s talk about Ukraine:

We love Ukraine and its people! As many of you know, we have been actively helping in many ways in Ukraine since the beginning of the war. Also, every 2-3 months, I (Alejandro) go to Ukraine to minister and serve in any way possible.

At the beginning of March, a Dutch friend and I visited the city of Lviv. Together with the local church, we hosted a youth conference for the youth of the city and its surroundings. We had more than 100 youth registered! Thanks to your donations, we were able to cover all the costs (food and logistics) and offer the conference for free!

The conference theme was ‘COME ALIVE!’.

It was a beautiful and powerful time. We taught the Word and how important it is for us to as Christians to dive into it, write it in our hearts to face the corruption and lies of this broken world, but also to find and get to know the hope of salvation of Christ that we may walk as His sons and daughters.

We also taught on the Holy Spirit and how He convicts us of sin and wrongs. Also, how He acts as our advocate and reminds us of what the Lord has taught us and His righteousness.

Right after my sermon on the Holy Spirit, we had an altar call and ministry time, in which the Spirit started to move within people’s hearts. Many came to the front confessing their sins, being delivered from the bondage of depression, sexual immorality, suicidal thoughts, etc. All this by the power in the name of Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, and for the glory of our God.

This impacted me the most:

Right before I started my message, I felt something within my heart that something was not right. My friend who translates for me came over and asked what's going on? She noticed that something was bothering me. I said, I don’t know. Nevertheless, I couldn’t figure out what it was, and I proceeded to go up front and preach the word of God and the altar call as the Spirit led me to do so.

As we are praying for people, she leans over and says, “I think I am feeling what you are feeling, there might be another person who should receive prayer.” So, I proceeded to do a second altar call, and this one boy came up, face looking down, hair covering his eyes, left hand clenching his right wrist, and his arms rigidly pulled into his body. He looked like a prisoner.

I asked him how I could pray for him, and he just started shaking ‘no’ multiple times. I put my hand on his shoulder and just started praying for him and asking God for wisdom and discernment. God said to me, “Death and suicide.” I continued to pray against suicidal thoughts, and as soon as I prayed over that, this kid broke down in tears, his rigid posture fell loose, and you could sense the heavy weight being taken away by the power of God. The Lord told me, “You need to give him a fatherly hug. I want to show him my love.” So I asked if I could hug him, and he didn’t even answer, he just jumped over me and held me like a kid who just found out he has a father. He wouldn’t let go for like 20 minutes, so I didn’t let go either. I just started to pray for him and bless him as I do for my children. During that time, the Lord said to me, “You see, Alejandro, I love these hundred youth, but even for just one, this boy, is the reason I brought you here, even if it is for just this one.” Our Lord is good!

By the end of the conference, this kid's face was completely renewed. He came alive, and his smile is the testimony of what the power of God does and why we do what we do.

I’ll be back in Ukraine on May 1st for 5 days, ministering, caring, and loving the people.

Come Alive Youth Conference Ukraine

Let’s talk about the USA:

Yes, you read well, the USA. It was an unexpected trip that we didn’t know that I (Alejandro) would do. I decided to do this trip ”by faith,” praying for new partnerships, sponsors, and meaningful connections. I had the opportunity to stay with friends whom I love and who have impacted my life in many ways, and they took me sightseeing, including Buccees! It was fun!

We wished the whole family could go, but financially, it was not possible. We hope we can all go next time.

I don’t know where to begin. Being in the US was a whole new experience for me. I can’t begin to compare it to any other country I have visited before. Every person I met was welcoming, friendly, and caring. I felt part of the church I visited. They showed me grace with my thick Latin accent, haha. I know I have made new, meaningful friendships.

Why are we looking for sponsors? Please understand that life as a missionary is not like having a normal paid job. Sponsors come and go in different seasons, and we need to keep up with the work we do. Also, as a father and husband, my desire is to keep up with the growing needs of my family. It is hard to fundraise and focus on our mission and family.

As a family, we want to wisely prepare for our future and that of our children. They are growing and have different needs. We hope they will one day go to college. Please understand it is not a lack of faith. We desire to be responsible with what the Lord has given us and have the faith to ask and receive. If we are fully funded, we could focus more on our ministry, having the confidence that our family is taken care of. We can serve the Lord as we have done for the past 9 years full-time.

While in the US, my family traveled to the Netherlands and stayed with Rozanne’s parents. They enjoyed time together with all their Dutch family, especially because they don’t see each other often.