Aurel Botănel was born on June 17, 1971, in Târgu-Jiu, a city renowned for several art monuments created by the well-known sculptor Constantin Brâncuși.
He was raised in a modest family with twelve children, being the eleventh. Through the grace of God, he received a wholesome education during his childhood through involvement in church activities. At almost 18 years old, he decided to follow Jesus and was baptized on October 22, 1989. In 1990, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit.
After completing high school, Aurel secured employment at a machine tool factory before serving in the army. Upon completing military training, he obtained a job and pursued distance education at the Pentecostal Theological Institute in Bucharest. In 1999, he earned a license in Pastoral and Didactic Theology. On August 27, 1998, he married Tabita Cercelaru, and they have seven children.
Currently, Aurel serves as the pastor of Golgota Church in Târgu-Jiu, overseeing a sector of churches in Gorj county. Additionally, he holds the position of youth leader for the Oltenia-Argeș region and possesses a fervent desire for evangelization and mission work, having embarked on two mission trips to Africa and Asia.