Journey Through Acts with Mark Hoover

Pastor Mark Hoover, The Journey Church, Killeen, TX

When I was asked to come teach at the Moldova Seminary I jumped at the chance!  The opportunity to invest in young lives that will have an impact on the world in Eastern and western Europe was one of the major things that drew me to the seminary.  I also love to see young lives experience God on a deeper level and truly take hold of the Gospel of Christ. 

When I arrived the first day for class I handed the students some random objects from around the Professors apartment.  When I first handed the objects out I got some strange looks.  I can only imagine what they were thinking!  I asked them to share how the object they were holding is like God.  I then reminded the students that we can know allot of things about God but not really know God.  From the first day the students were like a sponge soaking in the knowledge while at the same time keeping in mind that true knowledge comes from understanding and knowing God. (Proverbs 2:1-15)

For me one of the highlights of the day came when we took a break from cramming knowledge into our brains and had chapel service.  I loved hearing the testimonies of how God is actively working in the hearts and lives of each student at the seminary.  The students challenged each other with their testimonies, hearts, lives, and the word of God.  I think this aspect of the seminary will continue to help students verbalize how God is moving, working, and changing their lives through the education process.  This makes it more than just academic!  The key statement that drove our study in Acts was this: "The gospel is not just something to be admired it is something to be experienced."  The gospel is truly being experienced in the hearts and lives of the students at the Moldova Seminary. 

We said our final good buys last Friday following the final exam.  The two weeks seemed long however it was hard to believe that it had come to an end so quickly. Many of the students asked me when I would be returning to teach.  I do not know what the future holds or when I will be returning to Moldova but my heart and soul always say yes.  I know God has greater things yet in store for each of the students that I had the privilege and honor to teach all for the Glory of God.  
God Bless and Journey on! 

Students comments:

"It were two great weeks when we had an opportunity to go digging deeper in the events of the First Church. This course really improved my overview of the Book of Acts. I'm very happy for the opportunity to be learned by our professor Mark Hoover.  One of the main points of this course was to see through the book of Acts the power of Gospel of redeeming and transforming peoples lives. And the Gospel has to be not only admired but has to be experienced in our personal life."  -  Max

"This class made me understand that we are different but equal in the eyes of God and that we have gifts that build up the church and individuals." - Eduard

This class helped me to understand the book of Acts better.  The lessons were well-prepared and easy to understand.  I think that the professor demonstrated a death of knowledge and care for the students." - Marcel

"For these two weeks God spoke to me through this course.  In my mind remained some ideas with amazed me.  God gave us freedom - we are free to serve others.  Worship - we put God in His rightful place.  This really left an impression on me.  The other ideas I appreciated: (1) Gospel is not something to be admired, but something to be experienced.  (2) The Spirit of God is a gift of God not something to be bought or sold.  I will be able to use these ideas in conversations with people, like my unbelieving parents.  I am sure they will be moved as much by these truths as I was." - Marina

Mark Hoover preaching at KBC