Ovidiu Toderic’s life is a powerful picture of God’s grace and transformation. The story of his life took him from communist Romania to the bustling streets of New York City—and eventually to the FBI. His year at Word of Life Bible Institute became a turning point, setting him on a path of faithfulness, service, and impact.
In this Q&A, Ovidiu reflects on how the Bible Institute shaped his faith and equipped him to serve both God and country through federal law enforcement.
Q: Can you share with us what led you to attend Word of Life Bible Institute and how your time at the Bible Institute impacted your faith in Christ?
My journey at Word of Life Bible Institute began in 1988, at a time during which my relationship with the Lord was essentially non-existent. I was a rebellious eighteen-year-old kid who wanted to do his own thing. A few years earlier, in 1983, my family had immigrated to the U.S. from communist Romania. Both of my parents were devout Christians. My father was a Baptist pastor who was terribly persecuted by the communist regime for speaking against its atrocities and the persecution of fellow believers.
Although I was saved when I was nine years old, I was not serious at all about living for the Lord. After all the persecutions my family endured, the Lord was faithful and allowed us to leave Romania and ultimately settle in New York City. American society was stimulating, with a level of freedom I had never experienced under communism. But unfortunately, bad friendships and a lack of interest in having a relationship with God led me down the wrong path, sinking further into a life devoid of love and commitment to the Lord.
My older brother, as well as my sister-in-law (a Word of Life alumna), recognized the peril of my trajectory and strongly encouraged me to give Word of Life Bible Institute a try. At first, I was skeptical, thinking, “How could one full year of Bible study possibly help me—and be fun at the same time?” But at their insistence, I enrolled. Soon thereafter, as I immersed myself in the study of the Bible, I began to take a deliberate and palpable turn toward the things of God.
I saw life differently—from God’s point of view. I saw my hopeless future without the Lord in it and recognized the plan of salvation through the sacrifice of Christ in a personal way. At the Bible Institute, I made many friends—many of whom I hold dear to this day. The relationships with fellow Christian friends from WOLBI are a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness in my own life as well as theirs, and of the great responsibility we have to reflect Christ’s love to a world that needs Him so desperately.
Q: During your time at Word of Life Bible Institute, what experiences or lessons had the most lasting impact on your life, and how have they influenced you in your current situation?
At Word of Life Bible Institute, I was part of an Open-Air Evangelism team that traveled to New York City to share God’s Word in Times Square and throughout the city. Seeing lost people respond to the message of salvation made me realize that God could use a weak vessel like me to fulfill His purpose.
I love the verse from 1 Corinthians which states: “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.” I understood that God often chooses the unconventional people who are simply willing to obey. All I had to do was yield to His will and do what He had called me to do. The rest was up to Him.
The WOLBI experience of sharing the gospel with others has enabled me to be open to the Holy Spirit’s prompting—whether to share the gospel, help someone in need, pray for someone, or just be there when needed. Often it is the simple, seemingly insignificant thing God is asking me to do that produces His miraculous results.
Q: You are passionate about your work in federal law enforcement. What sparked your passion for this, and how does it shape your endeavors?
The events of September 11 were a catalyst for my pursuit of a career in law enforcement. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics, I worked on Wall Street for a number of years—until 9/11, during which I lost a couple of very good friends from my local church. God used these events to change the trajectory of my life.
I joined the FBI in 2004 as a means to fulfill my desire to serve my country in a tangible way. I consider it a great privilege to have had the opportunity to defend our fundamental, God-given rights to liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
My work is driven by Colossians 3:23–24, which states: “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of your inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” I remind myself every day that anything I do is an act of service to the Lord Jesus.
The Lord granted me the privilege of working with many extraordinary individuals to achieve a common goal of defending our beautiful and blessed country against various threats. As such, I consider myself blessed beyond merit to have been given this unique opportunity to serve my country—and, most importantly, to serve the Lord through my work.
Q: As a leader in your field, what are some of the most rewarding aspects of your role, and how does your faith impact your leadership and interactions with those you work with?
I am fulfilled when I know that my work in law enforcement is instrumental in mitigating various threats against our country and in ensuring the safety of the American public. The Lord has allowed me to be part of a team of like-minded individuals whose role is to protect and defend our country.
As I interact with many individuals from various organizations, I am reminded daily that Jesus died for every single one of those souls—to save them and give them spiritual and moral freedom. My goal is to treat each person the same way Jesus would, with love and compassion.
As a supervisor in my field, I am constantly reminded that servant-based leadership is most effective. Philippians 2:3 encourages me to not be motivated by selfishness or empty conceit but to consider others as more important than myself. I constantly remind myself of this simple truth. And so, each day, I try to live up to the standard that God so beautifully outlined for me in His Word.
Q: Looking back at your journey from Word of Life to where you are now, what advice would you give to current students who are seeking God’s direction for their future?
Attend Word of Life Bible Institute without any reservations! The year spent immersing yourself in God’s perfect Word will undoubtedly equip you for the mountains and valleys you will encounter in life.
You don’t have to consider full-time ministry to have a solid foundation in the Bible. In fact, I would say that it is even more important for those of you who do not plan to go into full-time ministry to dedicate one year of your life to study God’s Word. It will be immeasurably beneficial to your spiritual growth and to the establishment of a solid foundation grounded in God’s principles.
Regularly, I find myself remembering biblical principles I learned at WOLBI over thirty-six years ago! So, don’t delay. Give God one year of your life, and He will equip you with the necessary spiritual tools and principles to weather life’s many challenges.
Accomplishments and Recognitions
- Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance – City University of New York
- Former Wall Street professional
- FBI Special Agent (New York Field Office)
- Recipient of the New York Field Office Medal of Excellence
- Multiple FBI Performance Awards
- Nominee for the FBI Director’s Award (highest honor for superior investigative effort)