“… in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15-16).
Ben and Ella Goehring are LCMS career missionaries based in Brašov, Romania. Originally from upstate New York and fluent in Romanian and Russian, Ben teaches English as a second language, also telling his students about Jesus Christ and inviting them to the local LCMS church plant. And he is successful! Indeed, several of his English learners will begin their catechetical instruction this Sunday at St. Mary’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Brašov, in preparation for their Baptism. You might think that all of these learners would be Romanian, but they are quite international, with some coming from neighboring Ukraine and even from Brazil and Chile. English is the common language for this multi-ethnic group, which is why offering ESL classes makes a lot of sense. Hailing from upstate New York as well, Ella is studying Romanian and English literature at the local university. She, too, speaks Russian. Growing up in a different Christian tradition, she learned about Lutheran Christianity from Ben and embraced it as the clearest expression of the New Testament before they got married two years ago.
But this kind couple is blessed with even more gifts than languages. They are also talented musicians, playing traditional Irish tunes at a professional level. In fact, they have even recorded an album. Their jaunty music piques people’s curiosity and makes them feel most welcome. More importantly, their music provides another “on-ramp” to engage with people and tell them about Jesus Christ—the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Some of their new friends are led to St. Mary’s, where after instruction and Holy Baptism they are regularly fed with God’s Word and Sacraments. Praise God for this dear couple who has traveled far from home to gently and respectfully share the greatest gift in the world: Jesus Christ, through language and music.
Watch the video here on Facebook and listen to their album “The Wheat and the Chaff” on Spotify
