Mission Partner
Margie
Region: Europe
DPG: Day 24
Partner ID: 922
Organisation With: The Family Centre
Home / Sending Church: Church@109, Taupo
Learn more about this Ongoing Aid project here.
Overview
Pictured above: 25th Anniversary of The Family Centre - Child with Mummy.
Margie first visited Romania in 1999, ten years after the revolution and the discovery of thousands of abandoned children in state orphanages. She arrived almost by accident, having offered God a simple prayer while planning an overseas trip: that she might find some volunteer work along the way. That prayer led to a training assignment in Romania, and then to a visit to a local orphanage she found impossible to walk away from.
Confronted with babies being abandoned and asking, "What can I do, God?", Margie sensed the beginning of a plan: a place where struggling families could get help without having to give up their children. That plan became The Family Centre, an accredited Christian social service that provides practical support and spiritual discipleship, helping prevent abandonment and rebuild whole families.
Twenty-five years on, The Family Centre is led by a dedicated Romanian team, several of whom have served for over two decades. Margie continues to serve in leadership support, governance, training, encouragement, and sharing the vision internationally.
What Margie’s Week Looks Like
Margie is currently based in New Zealand, where much of her week is spent connecting with existing supporters, Churches, and sponsors, and sharing the vision of The Family Centre.
Earlier in 2026, Margie returned to Romania to strengthen governance and encourage the team on the ground. She will be returning again to help celebrate The Family Centre's 25th. During this trip, she will:
Mark 25 years of ministry alongside the Romanian team and the many families who have come through The Family Centre's doors
Begin exploring new relationships with local Romanian businesses, seeking additional in-country support
Encourage and equip staff, and continue mentoring local leadership
Her work supports local Churches and Christian leaders by strengthening families, preventing child abandonment, and providing both practical care and spiritual discipleship within the community.
About the Ministry
The ministry of The Family Centre exists so children do not have to be abandoned. Operating as an accredited social service, the Centre is audited by the Romanian government but receives very limited government funding each year, relying instead mostly on the generosity of supporters overseas. By supporting families in crisis with practical assistance and Christian discipleship, the Centre helps break cycles of vulnerability and brings hope where there has often been despair.
Things to pray for
Give thanks for 25 years of ministry and for the dedicated Romanian team now leading The Family Centre.
Give thanks for the introduction of the series, Long Story Short in May this year. Through The Family Centre networking, Long Story Short will soon to be on two national TV stations.
Praise God for a family recently moved into safe, stable housing, and for the first salvation prayer prayed through Long Story Short at the Centre.
Give thanks for open doors to share the vision with Churches and groups across New Zealand this year.
Ongoing Needs
Pray for Margie's trip to Romania coming up, particularly as she begins exploring new business relationships in the community.
Pray for the completion of translation and rollout of the Long Story Short series across two Romanian TV stations.
Pray for wisdom and endurance for Margie as she continues to serve between New Zealand and Romania.
Become a supporter of Margie.
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Contact Us
Phone. +64 6 357 8388
Email. admin@gc3.org.nz
Charities Commission Numbers
CC30419. CC30290. CC31524.
Postal
PO Box 744
Palmerston North
New Zealand 4440