Update and next steps

Praise the Lord for what He did through the apologetics training that took place in Debrecen this week!  Attendance was good and trainees were interested in learning how to better share their faith with people who have real questions and may be coming from a quite different worldview.  A big "thank you" to those who took part, to volunteers Donnie and Andre and Bob Hartman International Ministries, the translators, the hosting church Debrecen Baptist, and all who helped. 

The next step is a follow-up training event set to take place tomorrow, October 7; attendees will learn how to lead a simple, inductive Bible study for nonbelievers.  Pray with us that the Lord will use this training opportunity to initiate Bible studies that will have real Kingdom impact in many lives.

"...So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."  Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)
 

Berekfürdő ice cream shop

Enjoying ice cream cones as we prepare for Bible study

Friday not long before we were to leave for Bible study at the new mission point in Berekfürdő we received the sad message that the meeting was to be cancelled...some people were out of town, others were ill, and the keeper of the door key at the facility was not to be found to let us in.  Gary and I looked at each other, both of us knowing immediately that we still needed to be faithful to make the hour-long drive to the town.  If no one else was there and we couldn't get in to the room, then we would go and prayer walk the town; we had learned from experience that praying on site is invaluable in starting a new work. I sent a message to the Karcag church (mother church to the new group) to let them know that we were coming anyway and that anyone who could was welcome to join us.

When we arrived at the appointed place we saw one dear lady waiting across the street from the meeting room.  She hadn't heard the meeting was to be cancelled and had come on the bus from Karcag; trying unsuccessfully to get into the room, she was waiting, hoping someone else would come.

We walked down the street together, praying for the town and the people that we saw.  When we came to a small ice cream shop with outdoor tables, we decided to stop and have Bible study and prayer there (our friend had not come prepared to do a lot of walking.)  It was a wonderful time of interactive Bible study and prayer...and the ice cream was downright tasty, too!  We were all so thankful for the time we had together.

"...Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt. 18:20

Please continue to pray with us for the people of Berekfürdő, and that the Lord would give clear direction about what He would have us do next - all to His glory!

GG Camp update

Thank you again to all who prayed for the July 24-28 Grain Game camp in Karcag. Most of those at the camp were not "church kids," and a lot of gospel seeds were sown.  Please keep lifting up those who heard the Good News, and for those who also spent time in inductive Bible study with Gary.    The guys Gary was working with said that they believe in God but that they aren't ready to trust Him yet.  May that day come very soon!

We are thankful for the ministry of the Karcag Baptist church and for the work of Grain Game both in Hungary and around the world. Praise the Lord with us for how He is working through His Word, using His people in many creative ways. Here are some pictures from the week.

Our thanks to Grain Game and Grain Game photographer extraordinaire Marci Erdei for the use of the photo.

Baptism in western Ukraine

Berehove Baptist church baptism at the lake

Praise the Lord for how God is working! Last week when Gary was serving in western Ukraine, he had the privilege of bringing a brief message at a baptismal service out by the lake. Our friend Pastor Valentin Nehro of the Berehove Baptist church officiated, with the main sermon at the church beforehand being delivered by Pastor István Borzási, former president of the Hungarian Baptist Union in Romania.

Three ethnic Hungarians and one ethnic Russian were being baptized, and besides the church folks that were there, quite a few lost relatives and community members were also on the scene. Some of the family members were antagonistic to the gospel, and we are thankful they were there to hear the Good News. Pray for the new believers as they continue to take a stand for the Lord; ask that they will keep growing and sharing their faith. Ask that God will soften the hearts of the lost ones who heard the gospel, and that one day soon they also will come to Christ.

Easter Sunday in Újléta

We pray that you all had a wonderful Easter celebration. We are so thankful for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and His glorious resurrection!

Easter afternoon we were invited by our friend and national partner Eduárd to serve with him at the small Baptist church in Újléta, which is about a 45-minute drive from our home in Debrecen.  The people at the church are very wonderful and welcoming, and it is always a joy to be with them.  Gary preached about the question, "does the world see hope in us?"  People all around us are in such need of real hope, and our lives should be lived in such a way that they can see the hope of Christ in us even in hard times.  Living out the new life that He gives us allows us to have true joy and peace!  I am thankful.

Pray for the small group of believers in Újléta, that they would be encouraged to keep living out their faith and being a witness in their town.  They told me Sunday that it is very hard for them to see so few younger people interested in knowing the Lord and coming to church.  Some have even suggested they should close the church down.  Ask the Lord to break down walls of indifference in the community and draw people to Himself.

Balmazújváros ministry weekend

Praise the Lord, the health fair and evangelistic service in Balmazújváros went great this weekend--God was really moving!  We are so thankful for the work of the Coastal Community Church volunteers, the Hungarian medical professionals, the national believers from the churches, and others who helped. Older people, families, and quite a few teenagers came to the health fair and interacted and asked questions during the presentations.  Useful health information was given, medical screenings were performed, and a Gospel witness was shared with many.

At the Sunday service the people listened intently and responded when the Coastal Community team gave their testimonies and Gary preached, and several people acknowledged that they knew they were not on the right path in life and wanted prayer.  The church is following up with them.  The pastor of the church plant’s mother church said he knew that others were also impacted with the message and would be “soaking it in” over time, so pray that they will turn their lives totally over to Christ.

• Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in the lives of those who were impacted this weekend, calling them to Himself. 
• Lift up all the people of Balmazújváros, that they will see their need for the Savior and give their lives to Him.
• Pray that the church plant will be encouraged and continue to grow both spiritually and in numbers, as they reach out to their community with the love of Christ.

Testimonies of changed lives at the evangelistic service

See more photos from the weekend in our Google album.

Ordination in Püspökladány

Praise the Lord for the opportunity we had Saturday, December 10, to attend the ordination service of our friend and national partner János Kiss into pastoral ministry. He and his wife Rozi have been faithfully serving in Püspökladány for many years now, and it was a joy and privilege to get to be there as he was officially ordained as pastor of the church.

Pray for János, Rozi, and the Püspökladány Baptist church as they continue to minister in their community.  

"Praying for Püspökladány" video on Vimeo.

 

János and Rozi (left) listen az Pastor Csaba of Hajdúszoboszló speaks

Reunion of old friends--Carolyn, Ani, Gary, and János