Brother Vitalie

LTi Senior VP, Rick Anderson, and I recently returned from our fourth missions trip to Chisinau, Moldova. Previously (until 1990) a part of the Soviet Union, Moldova is still struggling to maintain democratic governance amidst heavy Communist influence, and remains one of the poorest nations in that region of the world. Dominated by the Russian Orthodox Church, the country acknowledges faith but isn’t known for their spiritual strength.

One pastor, however, believes his county is ripe for spiritual harvest. His name is Vitalie Fedula and he’s the pastor of Jesus Savior Church, the largest Baptist church in the country. Brother Vitalie is our host each time we visit and impresses us as a humble man of deep faith and tremendous gifts. In fact, we’ve seen him preach evangelistically, teach enthusiastically, and lead with the heart of a tenacious warrior. Most significantly, Vitalie is our brother in Christ, a loving husband and father, and a diligent co-laborer in God’s Church.

Each time we’ve journeyed to Moldova we are touched by the giftedness of Brother Vitalie. His stories about church life and ministry would stagger those who serve in a North American context. The spiritual needs of the people are captured by the pervasive poverty of soul and land, and Vitalie is ideally situated to use the gifts God gave him “for such a time as this.” His is a prophetic voice, and he leads others into Christ’s Kingdom with regularity. We praise God for this faithful, Spirit-empowered man of God.

As you lean into crafting your personal rule of life, remember that it doesn’t matter where you live or serve, but so much more important that you give of yourself in ways that reflect the uniquely gifted thumbprint of God upon you. Visit www.RuleOfLife.com and see how others are using their God-given gifts and talents for His glory.

“We all have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” Romans 12:6.

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Steve Macchia

Founder & President

The Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Macchia is founder and president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (LTI), a ministry serving the spiritual formation, discernment, and renewal of leaders and learners since 2003. For more than 20 years he has been the Director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Ministry Program. From 1989-2003 he was the president of Vision New England, the largest regional church renewal association in the country. Earlier in his ministry life, Steve was a member of the pastoral staff of Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts for 11 years. He is the author or co-author of 17 books, including The Discerning Life (Zondervan Reflective), and Crafting a Rule of Life, Becoming A Healthy Church (LTI), and Broken and Whole (IVP).  He and his wife Ruth live in the Boston (MA) area and are the proud parents of two married children and grandparents to three adorable grandchildren. Steve’s personal website is www.SteveMacchia.com.

My soul comes alive singing the great hymns of the church and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. I’m in awe of God for fulfilling the dream for LTI that he birthed in my heart, for the team he has assembled, and the transformational impact experienced in the leaders and teams we serve.

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Mitzi Mak

Selah-West Faculty & Emmaus Faculty

Mitzi started her professional life as a high school social studies teacher. She and her husband Jerry then served cross-culturally for ten+ years, living abroad first in India and then Kurdistan, N. Iraq. In addition to being a Spiritual Director, she now serves as a Formation and Care pastor in her local church in Houston, TX. She has graduated from LTI’s Selah Spiritual Direction training as well as LTI’s Emmaus Formational Leadership Program.

Mitzi enjoys engaging conversation, reading fiction, doing jigsaw/crossword puzzles, ocean gazing and exploring the world with Jerry through food and travel.

God has two main callings in Mitzi’s life: to care for those who care for others and to be a guide in helping others have a healthy relationship with the Trinity – recognizing God’s loving presence and activity in their lives and how to faithfully respond.

Selah was a transformative experience for me – allowing the contemplative within to emerge and to beautifully co-exist with my extraverted personality.