An accomplished Poet and writer spreading God’s Love
Ioan Chereji, a father of 10 children, was born in 1945 in Hunedoara, Romania. Raised in a Catholic family, he worked as an electrician at a local steel plant. Beyond his profession, Ioan was recognized as a talented Romanian folk singer, poet, and songwriter. He found great joy in sharing the gifts God had given him—whether through poetry, song, or personal life experiences.
A pivotal moment in Ioan’s life occurred when, after the birth of his eighth child, he was invited by an acquaintance to attend a local Evangelical church. There, he had a profound encounter with God that transformed his life, leading him to embrace Jesus Christ and become a Pentecostal believer. This decision initially brought tension within his family, as they wrestled with his departure from Catholicism to Protestantism.
Despite these challenges, Ioan faithfully guided his wife and children toward faith in Christ, and together they became active members of their local church community. Over the years, Ioan poured his heart into his creative gifts, authoring three poetry books, composing numerous songs, and producing a unique work that blended Bible verses with poetry—an extraordinary effort that positioned him among the few in the world to render the Bible in poetic form.
In 1995, Ioan immigrated to the United States to be closer to his son Nicu and his grandchildren. Now a cherished member of Elim United Church in Nampa, Idaho, he continues to write songs and poetry, using every opportunity to passionately share his faith and inspire others through the talents and life experiences God has entrusted to him.
