When missionaries Dave and Karmi Buckley look back just a few short years to where their church now stands, all they saw then was need. The Buckleys live in Budapest, a quickly growing city of close to 2 million people that is home to more than 40 colleges and universities. Budapest is a unique city, divided in two parts by the Danube River: Buda, built on the hills on the western side of the river; and Pest, which lies on the much flatter terrain of the eastern shore. But this leading European city in finance, research, and education is divided in a different way inside the Hungarian national church—young, college-aged students are leaving the church in droves.
This is How You Throw a Ball
It turns out that baseball is not just an all-American pastime. Chris and Leneé Oakley found this out three years ago when their family discovered the local baseball club in Budapest, Hungary. Their boys began to play on the team immediately, and Chris was soon asked to begin coaching. Being involved in both playing and coaching has allowed the Oakley family the chance to get to know not only the families of the team members, but also coaches and players from other Hungarian teams. This unconventional opportunity has opened up incredible doors of ministry for the Oakleys to speak into the lives of Hungarians through sports.
Pentecostal Revival among the Gypsies across Europe
One of the most dynamic and powerful works of the Holy Spirit in our day certainly is the Pentecostal revival among the Gypsies Streams of this revival started in the decade of the 1950s. God began to pour out His Spirit upon the diverse ethnic groups of Gypsies in Europe and around the world. Because of prejudice and ill reputation, many leaders were skeptical about the conversion of Gypsies, but over time, these leaders recognized that God is no respecter of persons. France has more than 150 000 baptized Gypsy adults. There are some 2150 preachers trained in their own Bible school with almost 300 students studying every year. The French missionary work, called ‘Life and Light’ (founded by Pastor Clément Le Cossec), reaches into 30 countries, supporting over 30 missionaries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and India. The French Gypsies brought the Gospel to neighboring countries such as Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.
Spain has also experienced phenomenal growth as today there are over 200 000 baptized believers, some 600 Gypsy churches and 2500 preachers. The “Gitanos ” have evangelized Portugal and South America as well. England has been marked by the same kind of development since 1975. Today there are over 15 000 born-again Gypsies and Travellers, many of whom were instrumental in reaching Ireland, Canada, and the USA. . In Eastern Europe, we see similar growth. In Romania, there are some 110 000 converts and hundreds of Gypsy churches with about 200 preachers. Bulgaria has some 70 000 Gypsy believers and over 120 Gypsy churches and preachers. Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary are currently experiencing a mighty move of the Holy Spirit. There are over 10 million Gypsies in Eastern Europe. Only 3% have knowledge of the Gospel.
There is also a growing work in the Scandinavian countries, such as Norway, Sweden and Finland. TV programs are broadcast in the Gypsy language in more than 15 cities throughout Russia and Eastern Europe. There are some 40 million Gypsies in the world, half of whom are in India. To this day, 700 to 800 000 Gypsies from various ethnic groups know Jesus Christ as their Savior, with a total of 6 500 preachers and pastors. The task to reach this vast mission field is still unfinished. Gypsies have their own language, mindset and traditions. Please pray the Lord of the harvest to send many more workers to these people for whom Jesus died!
One of the most dynamic and powerful works of the Holy Spirit in our day certainly is the Pentecostal revival among the Gypsies Streams of this revival started in the decade of the 1950s. God began to pour out His Spirit upon the diverse ethnic groups of Gypsies in Europe and around the world. Because of prejudice and ill reputation, many leaders were skeptical about the conversion of Gypsies, but over time, these leaders recognized that God is no respecter of persons.
France has more than 150 000 baptized Gypsy adults. There are some 2150 preachers trained in their own Bible school with almost 300 students studying every year.
The French missionary work, called ‘Life and Light’ (founded by Pastor Clément Le Cossec), reaches into 30 countries, supporting over 30 missionaries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and India. The French Gypsies brought the Gospel to neighboring countries such as Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.
Spain has also experienced phenomenal growth as today there are over 200 000 baptized believers, some 600 Gypsy churches and 2500 preachers. The “Gitanos ” have evangelized Portugal and South America as well.
England has been marked by the same kind of development since 1975. Today there are over 15 000 born-again Gypsies and Travellers, many of whom were instrumental in reaching Ireland, Canada, and the USA.
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In Eastern Europe, we see similar growth. In Romania, there are some 110 000 converts and hundreds of Gypsy churches with about 200 preachers. Bulgaria has some 70 000 Gypsy believers and over 120 Gypsy churches and preachers. Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary are currently experiencing a mighty move of the Holy Spirit. There are over 10 million Gypsies in Eastern Europe. Only 3% have knowledge of the Gospel.
There is also a growing work in the Scandinavian countries, such as Norway, Sweden and Finland.
TV programs are broadcast in the Gypsy language in more than 15 cities throughout Russia and Eastern Europe.
There are some 40 million Gypsies in the world, half of whom are in India. To this day, 700 to 800 000 Gypsies from various ethnic groups know Jesus Christ as their Savior, with a total of 6 500 preachers and pastors.
The task to reach this vast mission field is still unfinished. Gypsies have their own language, mindset and traditions. Please pray the Lord of the harvest to send many more workers to these people for whom Jesus died!
Women's Ministry in Hungary
A group of 14 women from churches throughout the South Texas District of the Assemblies of God came to Hungary to assist in the ministry of AGWM personnel, Paul and Jocelyn Gracza. Melanie Griffin, the Women's Ministries director for the district led the team. Their ministry activities were quite varied as they shared Jesus' love everywhere they went.
A group of 14 women from churches throughout the South Texas District of the Assemblies of God came to Hungary to assist in the ministry of AGWM personnel, Paul and Jocelyn Gracza. Melanie Griffin, the Women's Ministries director for the district led the team. Their ministry activities were quite varied as they shared Jesus' love everywhere they went.
A full day was spent praying throughout the capital city of Budapest. Prayer stops included the Jewish Synagogue, St. Stephen's Basilica, Heroes Square, and the Citadel which overlooks the city. They interceded for Hungary, asking God to break into the lives of people.
At the Morning Star Rehab Center in Dunaharaszti, the women shared from their hearts and experiences with the women at the center who are experiencing help and healing. Many of the rehabilitation clients were prayed for and several made solid commitments to follow Jesus.
The team traveled to other cities to hold evening women's meetings. These regional meetings included Hungarian women from Pentecostal churches, along with their invited non-Christian friends and work colleagues. Each meeting
was filled with music, powerful testimonies, and anointed preaching by the team.
Other ministry was with the students and faculty at the Pentecostal
Theological College and also Sunday ministry in two local churches. The team honored and ministered to the pastors' wives of the Hungarian Pentecostal Church. This meeting was a special time of encouragement and prayer for these women who stand with their husbands in ministering and preaching the gospel in their communities. Finally, the team hosted a Sunday afternoon evangelistic women's tea. Ladies form the Pentecostal churches in Budapest brought their friends for an afternoon of hearing and responding to the good news of Jesus Christ. The Women's Ministries team had a very effective ministry in Hungary.