A short story produced by CBN about Alfa Omega TV in 2010

Watch a short story produced by CBN about Alfa Omega TV in August 2010.

Alfa Omega TV Brings Light to Europe

TIMISOARA, Romania -- Almost 21 years have passed since the fall of communism in Romania and the country continues to see a spiritual revival.

A growing hunger for Christ has helped one ministry expand from just seven tape machines into a 24-hour Christian television network.

Church bells and heavenly music often fill the air in the busy and historic square in Timisoara, Romania. However, during December of 1989 the countrys people revolted against the communist regime, crying, God exists, God exists!

Timisoara is considered by many to be the spiritual capital of the country, said Tudor Petan of Alfa Omega TV. Its a symbol of the revolution. Its a symbol of freedom.

That political and spiritual freedom is what allowed Petan to launch the Alfa Omega ministry in 1994, five years after the revolution and only one year after he became a Christian.

Myself, I grew up together with the ministry, he said. I came to the Lord 17 years ago and we jumped almost immediately into this media ministry.

The increasing ministry began small.

With VHS machines donated by he Christian Broadcasting Network, Petan began translating Christian programs and distributing them to secular stations in Romania.

Its not my idea, Petan said. I think it was Gods idea because even during the communist time, we find out later that generation after generation, they prayed for Christian media in Romania -- for a time that the Gospel would be in all homes, available.

In 1999, Alfa Omega began producing its own programs, including its own version of Christian World News. And in 2006, Alfa Omega launched the first Romanian Christian TV channel in eastern Europe.

Since that time, the stations viewership and reach have continued to grow.

Many people have to come to the Lord in Romania and we are crying for this, Petan said.

There is yet another milestone for Alfa Omega -- a new building in Timisoara with room to grow the ministry and to increase their faith that God will supply whats still needed.

New building for Alfa Omega Television, three story, sprawling space. Did you expect this when you started this all those years ago? CBN News asked Petan.

We pray a lot and God gives us confirmation and even visions and put in our heart that this building will be like a fire, a volcano, Petan replied.

It will bring life and lava also, and it will be light on this place long term, Petan added.

The new facility will bring a light in the countrys spiritual capital and the birthplace of its spiritual revolution.

**Originally published August 13, 2010.