Capitol Ministries

41 "ey know I am not there to ask for favors or lobby for an agenda. I am there to serve them and point them to Christ." VALERIU GHILETCHI Director, European Union A t the heart of Europe's legislative body, the consistent and faithful presence of Capitol Ministries' Bible study is quietly impacting the lives of lawmakers as elected officials gather to open God's Word and seek spiritual encouragement amid the pressures of public service. On Tuesdays, a group of Members of the European Parliament repre- senting 45 nations of the European Union meet behind closed doors for a Bible study led by Pastor Valeriu Ghiletchi, Capitol Ministries' European Union Director. A one-hour Bible study for Members of Parliament represents a three- day journey for Pastor Valeriu, whose home is in Moldova. "Before anything else, I focus on building relationships with the people I serve," Pastor Valeriu shared in a recent interview. "Someone once said that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." His frequent travel to Strasbourg and Brussels—both home to key Eu- ropean Parliament headquarters—has made Pastor Valeriu a familiar and trusted presence. As he walks the halls and offices of the Parliament build- ing, personally inviting lawmakers to Bible study, he is met with welcom- ing smiles and affirming handshakes. "As a former Vice Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament and a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), I un- derstand the mindset of elected officials and how to engage with them," Pastor Valeriu explains. "I speak to their hearts. ey know I am not there to ask for favors or lobby for an agenda. I am there to serve them and point them to Christ." e Tuesday morning Bible study is co-sponsored by several Members of the European Parliament. Lawmakers from different nations—who of- ten strongly disagree during political debates—find unity in Scripture and prayer during the study. "We share a core principle that party affiliations and religious denom- inations are le outside the Bible study," Pastor Ghiletchi explains. "We gather to study God's Word, seek its application in our lives, and pray for one another." Pastor Valeriu's personal journey lends depth to his ministry. His family endured religious persecution in Moldova during the Soviet era. Follow- ing the collapse of the Soviet Union, he pursued theological training and earned his Bachelor of Divinity from Emmanuel University in Romania. Aer the Tuesday morning Bible study concludes, his ministry con- tinues. Pastor Valeriu remains for an additional day, intentionally mak- ing himself available for one-on-one conversations with Members of Parliament. On ursday aernoon, Pastor Valeriu boards a plane to return home to Moldova—but his mission does not end there. roughout the follow- ing days, he continues to follow up with lawmakers through text messages, responding to prayer requests and sending verses of encouragement from Scripture. Pastor Valeriu humbly reflects on his calling : "I am grateful to be part of Capitol Ministries. Whether the group includes fieen people or just two, I remain committed to showing up and leading Bible study."

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