Weekly Update

WEDNESDAY ENGLISH BIBLE STUDY

P1050206

In our English Bible Study, we discussed some of the miracles of Jesus and also the resistance of religious leaders to Jesus. I posed the question, "If you could perform miracles, what would you do with that ability?" Klári said that she would seek to heal not only physical problems, but spiritual problems. I followed up with the question, "What do you think the greatest miracle was that Jesus performed?" We finally focused on the great miracle of Jesus pronouncing, "Your sins are forgiven!" (Mark 2:5, Luke 7:48) The other miracles that Jesus performed were signs that verified that Jesus was the Son of God and had authority to forgive our sins. Miracle is defined as: a highly improbable or extraordinary event, development, or accomplishment that brings very welcome consequences. What could be more highly improbable or extraordinary than God sending His only Son Jesus. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) And what "welcome consequences" His sacrifice has brought that anyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

After our study was over, Timi brought up an unrelated question about the gospel being a free gift. Timi said, "Won't people just keep sinning and then simply say, oh God will forgive me anyway." I was able to share with Timi that those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ have a change of heart brought about by the work of His Holy Spirit. Those who truly put their faith in Jesus have the same desires, and see His teaching, His commands, and His leadership as good and not restrictive burdens. This is the difference between religion and a relationship with Jesus. Though we continue to struggle with sin, we have a deep desire to be free from it. Though we fall into sin, we don't accept it as a place we want to be, but rather call out to Jesus to cleanse us again, and to help us live in the freedom He has already won for us. Those who claim to be Christians, saved by grace and show no evidence of love for Jesus and no personal regard for His commands are fooling themselves. Jesus was clear when He said, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23) This pursuit of being like Jesus is not driven by fear that God will reject us if we don't do enough. This pursuit is driven by the Holy Spirit who reassures us that we have a new identity as God's children. (see Gal 4:4-6) Our pursuit of holiness is driven by the knowledge that God already loves us. We WANT to live by our Father's ways that we fully believe are best.

WEDNESDAY DISCIPLESHIP STUDY

Every Thursday, Miki leads a study focused on foundational truths of our faith for members of our church. Some praises include the following: Hugi brought up an incident where she was being verbally abused by family members. Miki was able to reiterate our inherent value in Jesus Christ as a redeemed member of His family. This allowed Hugi to begin to grasp a Christian's ability to not be overcome by such insults, but to remain encouraged by turning back to Jesus. Eszti, a young mother of four who also attends was encouraged.

P1050445

Above: Eszti is also often talked about as being weak and irresponsible for having so many kids at a young age. However, when we as leaders survey the church Eszti always stands out as a member who is constantly growing in her faith and full of wisdom for her age. Miki and other members were able to encourage her in the way she has been mothering her children in dependance on Jesus. This is a sign of her strength and maturity. Praise God for these church members that have been growing each week gaining insight in how to live according to Jesus' commands found in God's Word.

WEEKEND HUNGARIAN BAPTIST CONVENTION

P1050327

P1050320

On Friday, we set out for the town of Békés for Hungary's Baptist Convention where our church would officially be received by the Hungarian Baptist Church. This is the culmination of a process that we have been in for the past two years which gives our local body legal standing in the country and brings various means of support for our long term church planting efforts.

P1050277

It was a joy to see over 130 men packed in the assembly, hearing older men preach with humility and hearing a constant focus on exalting Jesus Christ.

P1050392

Above: President of the Baptist Church sending out Hungarian missionaries to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to Mongolia!

P1050345

Above: Istvan, Miki and Dezső I spent most of my time with Miki and Dezső (my hungarian church planting partners in ministry) and also Jonatán and István, who are church planting in the city of Gyöngyös just half an hour away from Petőfibánya. I think the car ride back and forth with these guys was just as helpful and encouraging as the convention itself. For the past four years, we have worked on various ministries together and we have the same desire to see a church planting movement in the North Eastern region of Hungary. We are always able to glean insight from each other as we are both in different stages of our respective church plants and we have high regard for one another. I praise God for having friendships with such men of faith, who love Jesus and are fully devoted to their call as church planters.

On Saturday at our lunch break, Dezső shared with Miki and I how God was speaking to him. He said that he still wasn't 100% sure, but it just seemed like God was stirring his heart to make a commitment to becoming a pastor. Dezső said, "For so long, I have thought that I am just too old. But I have heard over and over at this conference from the Lord that my age doesn't matter. I don't want to deceive myself and conjure up these thoughts, but this is what I seem to be hearing from Him." Soon after this lunch break, Miki, Dezső and I headed to a break-out session with the topic of discipleship. The facilitator of the group asked that each person give a short introduction. The seventh person to begin introducing himself said this, "I was nineteen when God called me into the pastorate, but I resisted and I ran the opposite direction for a long time. God turned me back many years later and called me again by his grace into the pastorate at forty years old. I went to Bible school and am now serving as a pastor." At this point, this man who had no idea what Miki, Dezső and I were talking about at lunch, looked right at Dezső and said, "The reason I say all of this is that you are never too old to be a pastor." Talk about confirmation! Dezső continued to share with us on the ride home how these things were settling in his spirit. He is stepping out in faith and will pursue this calling by God's grace.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

P1050429

Above: Ready to worship, Hugi, Lidia and Brenda. Lidia is back from a few weeks absence because of a miscarriage. God has been gracious to comfort her in her loss and sustain and strengthen her faith through this time.

P1050426

Above: Dezső and Miki.

P1050449

Above: We rejoiced to see teenager Zoli’s mother and grandmother attend our worship service after leaving our fellowship a year and a half ago. Over the past few months, Zoli’s mother has attended a new Bible study at Miki’s house and Miki has seen new growth in her understanding. She has been spending more time in God’s word and in fellowship with other believers. Please pray that both of these women would grow in their relationship with Jesus and be drawn out of isolation and deception.

P1050454

Above: Hungarian married couple Nora and Tamás who are soon moving to a village just half an hour away from us visited our church tonight. They don’t know all the details of what God is doing, but they sense His calling to have them involved in church planting work. This is the first time we have met and we hope to see how we can equip and encourage or even work together with them in the future.

PRAISES:

• Church planter partner Miki’s wife Erika was hired for a job in a local Autistic Care Center. God ordained all that was necessary for her to find the opportunity, be interviewed and be hired. She starts in September.

• Edina, Timi and Klári attended our English Bible Study and remain open and seeking.

• Acceptance into the Baptist Church of Hungary and encouragement from their focus on Jesus Christ.

• Dezső receiving confirmation from the Lord as to his calling

PRAYER REQUESTS:

• Over the past two weeks, Elianna has gone from a 103 fever, to croup cough, to hives. Praise God she tested negative for the flu, so most likely she is battling some virus, or viruses. Please pray for her complete healing.

• Ben was officially diagnosed with celiac disorder along with his sister Elianna. Please pray for them as they transition into a gluten free diet, and pray for Sharon as she seeks to prepare food they will enjoy.
blog comments powered by Disqus