Gheorghe Ille, commonly known as “Brother Ille”, was born in Mizieș, a small village in the Bihor County, Romania, on June 25, 1930 to Caterina and Casian Ille. He was the fifth of six children (Martian, Florica, Marioara, Saveta, and Silvia). Although his parents were devout Eastern Orthodox Christians, like many of his peers, Gheorghe loved to have a good time with his friends, especially while attending the weekly “hora” (a Romanian folk dance) in the village.
During this time period, “Oastea Domnului” (The Lord’s Army – a revival movement within the Eastern Orthodox Church) began to have influence in the region under the leadership of the well-known Romanian poet Traian Dorz. The rich hymns from “Oastea Domnului”, and especially Traian Dorz’ sermons, exerted a powerful influence on many young people from Gheorghe’s entourage, and especially on Gheorghe.
Shortly after, Gheorghe was, in his own words “moved by the Holy Spirit, and drawn by the love of Christ”. All of this was taking place at the Eastern Orthodox Church in Mizies, after one of the evening services. On that evening, at only 17 years old, Gheorghe made a decision to follow Jesus, and serve Him faithfully, a covenant that he kept for the rest of his life.
Yearning to learn more about God and His ways with the world, Gheorghe becomes an avid student of the Word. Although he only managed to finish secondary school (access to education was very limited during that time period in Romania), Gheorghe loved to read. Books were an expensive commodity at the time, but Gheorghe would use every opportunity he had to pick up a new book.
Soon after the end of World War II, due to the difficult economic situation at home, Gheorghe decides to leave Mizies and relocate to Lupeni in order to work for a local mining company. Not long after moving to Lupeni, word comes to Gheorghe that the local Baptist church is planning a baptism service. The communist government that had just come to power in post-war Romania had already begun to exercise tight control of the churches in the country. As a consequence, church pastors were required to submit lists of all baptism candidates prior to any baptism service. Of course, Gheorghe was not on any of those lists, nor was he personally known by the pastor of this local church in Lupeni. Nonetheless, during the baptism service, Gheorghe stands up and asks that he wants to get baptized as well! Surprised by his bold request, the pastor decides to allow him a word. “Does the Scriptures not say that Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force?” (Matthew 11:12) Impressed by his testimony and his zeal for the Gospel, the church decides to ignore all communist regulations and baptizes him on the spot!
Between 1950 and 1953, Gheorghe fulfills his mandatory military service in Targoviste. During this same time period, his father is admitted to the hospital of Oradea where he dies shortly after. After completing his military service, due to his growing desire to deepen his understanding of Scriptures (and also taking advantage of a temporary relief by the Communist regime, when they allowed more students to be enrolled in Theology programs), Gheorghe decides to go to Bucharest and study theology at the Baptist Seminary. Although he had only enthusiasm, but not the necessary resources, in his providence, God took care of both the financial side and the required recommendations. The year spent at the Seminary played a decisive role in the formation of Gheorghe as a minister of the gospel and would mark the beginning of many relationships and friendships that would continue for many years. After a year, Gheorghe is forced to interrupt his studies and return home to help his mother who was left alone with the burden of the household.
Nonetheless, this temporary setback did not diminish Gheorghe’s passion for evangelism. In fact, during the same summer, he begins an evangelization campaign throughout the towns and villages surrounding Beius. He would understand much clearer now that “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”
The following year, on August 15, 1954, Gheorghe marries Ana Clonda. For a time, they both remain in Mizies, continuing to care for his mother. God uses Gheorghe powerfully during this period and many turn to the faith in Christ through his messages. While still in Mizies, God blesses Gheorghe with two daughters: Eunice and Lidia.
In 1960, he and his family move to Vinga, a small town situated in the west part of Romania (his in-laws were already there), where the land was more fruitful and life promised to be easier for the young family. In Vinga, they have two more children, a boy and a girl (George and Ani).
Gheorghe spent most of his life in Vinga, and regularly commuted to the city of Arad (and later Timisoara) for work. Dividing his time between working for the government and serving in the local Baptist Church as a deacon, his life was full of joy and fulfillment.
There were, of course, times of trial as well, especially due to the constant harassment of the secret police (the oppressive arm of the Communist regime), but God carried Gheorghe in His arms during both, good and bad times. He continued to serve in the Vinga Baptist Church until 2011, when he moved to the United States in order to be with his children.
Everyone who knew Gheorghe as children or teenagers in the Vinga Baptist Church, especially from 1965 to 1975, fondly remembers the mission trips to Felnac, Fibis, Sag, Meziad or throughout the towns and villages along the Mures river. “Riding in the IRTA truck of Brother Ille” brought about unforgettable adventures and uplifting moments in those times of economic and moral destitution.
God blessed his work and used him powerfully during this period, in spite of the fact that most of the inhabitants of Vinga were (nominal) Catholic Christians… So that every year, God was adding new believers to the Baptist Church.
In the 70s, the Church in Vinga received a permit to build a new building on the outskirts of the town. It was during this time that Gheorghe befriended the gypsy families and especially their children, who lived near the church. He would always offer them candy and invite them for prayer meetings and share bible stories with them. Many years later, these same people would fondly remember his kindness and friendship.
After the Romanian Revolution in 1989, the Vinga church raised enough funds to build a new, more centrally located, building. In the old building a Roma church has now been formed. Many of its members are the very same people “Brother Ille” once ministered to…
Gheorghe maintained a strong relationship with the Baptist community from Arad and had a close friendship with Ionel Truta, the pastor of Hope Baptist Church of Arad.
In the last years of his life, Gheorghe enjoyed attending the First Baptist Church of Atlanta where he became a member in 2011. And last but not least, he enjoyed his grandchildren (Beni, Eugen, David, Noemi, Dorothea, Paul and Michael) and great-grandchildren (Seth and Olivia) for whom he did not cease to pray until his last breath.
After a period of declining health, brother Ille breathed his last on November 16th, 2019. He was surrounded by his family and his wife who cared for him until the very end.
Brother Ille went to be with the One whom he served and loved his whole life, leaving behind a spiritual legacy which, we, by the grace of God, hope to pass on to the next generation.
It has been a great blessing to have him with us as a husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Ana Ille, Traian and Eunice Istoc, Virgil and Lidia Titarenco, Mihaela and George Ille, Ani Ille, Beni and Nisi Istoc, Eugen Istoc
David and Noemi Titarenco
Dory, Paul and Michael Ille.