A Servant Whose Voice Shaped Generations

Joseph Țon Foundation

A Legacy of Faith, Service, and Hope

The life of Professor, Dr. Iosif Țon was a testimony of dedication to God, family, and truth. His voice, teachings, and writings shaped generations, leaving behind a spiritual inheritance that continues to inspire. Today, his legacy lives on through the Professor Dr. Iosif Țon Foundation—a living monument to his passion for people, for the church, and for the future.

Vision

Joseph Țon Foundation will be a bridge of blessing—connecting past to future, faith to action, and hearts to hope. It will remind us that one man’s life, lived fully for God, can change the course of many.

Mission

This foundation will carry forward his vision by:

Supporting families in need, offering practical help, encouragement, and spiritual care.
Providing assistance for seminary students, equipping a new generation of leaders with resources to follow in his footsteps.
Extending love and help to the broader community, guided by the compassion that defined his life.

Leadership

The foundation will be entrusted to the loving care of:

Elisabeth Țon, his faithful wife, who shared in his life and ministry.
Dorothy, his devoted daughter, who carries forward her father’s values and heart for service.

Together, they will guard and guide this mission, ensuring that every act of kindness reflects the heart of the man whose name it bears.

Support and Partnership

Dr. Țon faithfully proclaimed the Gospel of Christ. He preached in countless pulpits across Romania, Europe, the United States, and beyond. He addressed presidents, universities, and great gatherings, always lifting high the name of Jesus. His books have been translated into multiple languages, and his sermons and teachings have reached millions worldwide.

His name became known internationally, not because he sought recognition, but because he carried the truth of God’s Word with boldness and humility. He was a father to the Romanian evangelical movement and a respected voice to Christians around the globe.

Now, as we remember his life and seek to continue his mission, we invite you to stand with us in supporting the Iosif Țon Foundation. This Foundation exists to carry forward the vision and values that defined his ministry: the defense of the faith, the teaching of the Scriptures, the unity of the church, and the preparation of new generations of leaders.

We appeal to all who loved and respected Dr. Țon—from Portland to Bucharest, from Europe to America, from every corner of the world—join us in this mission. Your support, whether through financial contributions or other resources, will ensure that his testimony and teachings continue to inspire, equip, and transform lives across the nations.

Every gift is a seed of faith. Every act of generosity extends the legacy. Together, we can keep alive the voice and vision of a man of God who impacted the world for Christ.

For information on how to contribute, please visit the Foundation website or contact us directly. With your partnership, the legacy of Dr. Joseph Țon will continue to shine brightly, blessing both Romania and the nations of the world.

With gratitude and prayer,

The Iosif Țon Foundation

From the Valleys of Persecution to the

Heights of God’s Kingdom

Birth & Passing. Born 30 September 1934 in Gârbovița, Alba County; entered eternal rest 5 September 2025.

Vocation. Pastor, theologian, and author; a leading evangelical voice before and after the 1989 Revolution. The Gospel Coalition, Desiring God.

Early Years & Calling. University studies (including Oxford, 1969–1972); pastoral ministry under Communism; interrogations and surveillance; samizdat writings like Cine își va pierde viața and Locul creștinului în socialism. Wikipedia.

1977 & Radio Free Europe. Co-authored a human-rights appeal; key texts aired by Radio Free Europe. Wikipedia.

Exile & RMS. Exiled to the UK/USA; leadership with Romanian Missionary Society (RMS): publishing, translation, book distribution, and the Voice of the Gospel radio with HCJB. Wikipedia.

Return & Institution Building. After 1989, helped initiate the Emanuel Bible Institute / University of Oradea (accredited 1998), supported Cartea Creștină and Vocea Evangheliei radio, and co-founded the Romanian Evangelical Alliance (A.E.R.). Wikipedia.

Doctorate & Books. Doctor of Theology (1996), dissertation: Suffering, Martyrdom, and Reward in Heaven; authored 17+ books impacting discipleship, identity, and apologetics. Key titles: Credința Adevărată, Confruntări, Despre Împărăție. Wikipedia. Selected editions: Amazon.

Teaching & Preaching. Lectured and preached worldwide (churches, universities, conferences), including the Desiring God Pastors’ Conference (2000). Themes: courage under persecution, hope of the Kingdom, renewal through holiness and evangelism.

A Pillar of Faith in Portland, Oregon

For more than twenty-five years, Dr. Profesor Iosif Țon lived in Portland, Oregon, and during that time he became one of the greatest blessings to the Romanian churches in the entire area. His home was not only in Portland, but his heart was in the Romanian community, where he faithfully invested his wisdom, energy, and love for the Gospel.

Yet his ministry extended far beyond one congregation. Dr. Țon preached across nearly every Romanian church in Portland, building bridges of fellowship and unity, mentoring pastors, encouraging ministers, and equipping entire generations with biblical truth. Through his messages, books, seminars, and personal counsel, he became a teacher to many and a spiritual father to all who knew him.

The Romanian community in Portland will forever remember him not only as a theologian of international recognition, but as a shepherd among them—one who walked with them, prayed with them, and stood beside them through joys and trials. His presence brought comfort, his words brought conviction, and his life was a living testimony of devotion to God.

The legacy he leaves behind in Portland is one of faith, unity, and hope. For more than a quarter of a century, he was the voice that called us closer to Christ, and today we give thanks to God for the privilege of having walked alongside such a servant of the Gospel.

For about three years, he preached every Sunday at Emanuel Romanian Church, guiding the congregation with clarity, theological depth, and spiritual passion. Week after week, he unfolded the treasures of Scripture, leaving behind sermons that shaped lives, encouraged families, and deepened the faith of countless believers.

Global Impact. His sermons, seminars, books, videos, and radio/online messages formed generations of pastors and believers across

languages and continents; he is widely recognized as an international theologian whose work continues to shape the church.