Magyar Református Egyház

Archive for the ‘Ministry’ Category

Reformed Ordination Vows have been uploaded to their own page under the heading of “Liturgy”

All,
This came via a trusted source and has an affect on the Hungarian reformed churches in the Ukraine and Bishop Horkay so sending it along… Rev. Dr. Chuck Baynard

Begin message:

I am writing to you because in the past you have given your time, your prayers, and your financial support to help rebuild a community of faith in Hungarian areas once dominated by the former Soviet Union.

After the change in 1989, Reformed church leaders in western Ukraine, sub-Carpathia, looked into the faces of their children, and in those fresh, young faces they saw hope for the future. They envisioned a rebirth of Christian education.

The dramatic political changes caught the attention of the world, and offers of help poured into Reformed communities into sub-Carpathia. Well aware that it would be decades before the region could fully sustain its own school system, the church decided to invest the gifts in their children, in Christian education, a truly long-term vision.

With deep faith and generous support from the West, the first Reformed high school opened its doors in 1993. This boarding school in the village of Nagybereg modeled a life shaped by faith and nurtured
academic excellence.

Since then, three more schools have opened based on the Nagybereg model, and more than 1200 students have graduated. Nearly all of the graduates have attended universities and are taking their place as Christian professionals and parents.

With financial support and encouragement from the West, the four schools have been able to keep operating, but always on a shoestring. Last year, Ukraine’s fragile economy went into a tailspin and massive increases in utility costs, inflated the cost of education by half.

_ _

The global economic crisis has delivered a crushing blow. The fragile shoestring is holding together but only by a thread.

When the Wall Street tidal wave hit the world, it swept away more than half of the support needed to sustain the schools. Late in 2008, almost overnight, the school leadership learned that support from Hungarian churches and foundations was about to end.

On the heels of that bad news, the Ukrainian government announced that it would end its financial support for the schools. Support from the Netherlands is now in jeopardy, and the only pledge left standing is from a church in Michigan. This gift, along with “bread fees” from the parents, is the only sure thing at this time.

To create a breathing space for the school administrators, the schools need immediate help to cover operating expenses. They are facing a shortfall of more than 50% for this school year. Searching for ways to
cut their expenses, the teachers have taken a 30% salary reduction beginning January 1 of this year. Though they face empty pay envelopes by the end of February, these dedicated servants have pledged to work through the end of the school year.

Will you help?

Though the need is daunting, the purpose is truly worthy. The rebirth of hope in East Central Europe depends on a fresh cadre of young Christian leaders. Help us keep this powerful vision alive!

Here are some ways you can help:

* $150 will cover one month’s electricity bill for one school.

* $665 will pay one school’s heating bill a cold month.

* $1500 covers the cost of one student’s fees for one year.

* $6,250 will cover one school’s teacher salaries for one month..

Any gift you give will be appreciated and will be forwarded in its entirety to the schools.

If you have any questions please contact me by telephone: 616.456.9719 or by email: rblant@iserv.net. I would be happy to provide more detailed information.

Checks can be made out to Ars Longa North America noting that it is the schools in the Ukraine, and donations can be sent to:

Ars Longa North America

c/o Beth Lantinga, Director

416 Paris Avenue SE

Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503

Please keep the students, the teachers, and the administrators in your prayers.

Sincerely,

Beth Lantinga, Director

Ars Longa North America

The 2009 Hunagarian Reformed Youth Camp Flyer (English version) is available for downloading at this link;

2009 Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp Flyer to Download

Here is the Hungarian version of the flyer (non formatted version below)2009 Magyar

Please make copies for the youth of your church.

The Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp is a ministry sponsored jointly by the Calvin Synod and the Hungarian Reformed Church in America.

The English text is below. (Unfortunately the formatting of the flyer could not be reproduced):

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

A place for strengthening faith in God…

Hungarian Reformed Church
YOUTH CAMP!

JULY 19-25, 2009
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center
Mount Pleasant, PA.

This year’s camp theme is
“My Heart – Christ’s Home”

For more information please call:
Gabe Csapó 609-758-5113 or
Les Török 614-497-1026

A Reformed education is forever. Please give your child or grandchild the gift of Youth Camp – it’s a gift that lasts a life-time. More ways to help camp: Prayer! Please keep our youth, camp counselors and clergy in prayer! Also please remember that Youth Camp is grateful for donations of any amount. A simple $25 donation goes far in helping reduce camp expenses for our campers. Please make checks out to the Calvin Synod
(Youth Camp in the memo) and send to the Calvin Synod Treasurer:
Mrs. Lisa Susan Tóth-Maskarinec
1836 Timothy Drive,
W. Mifflin, PA 15122

May our Youth Camp efforts to glorify God also bless our future generations with the precious Gospel as declared in the Scriptures and our Reformed Doctrine.

Thank you for your prayers and support and
may God bless you for your kindness and generosity!

JEGYEZD BE A NAPTÁRADBA!

Az Istenbe vetett hit er?sítésének helye:

az Amerikai Magyar Református Egyház

IFJÚSÁGI TÁBORA!

2009. július 19-25.
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center

Mount Pleasant, PA.
Az idei tábor témája:
„A szívem – Krisztus otthona”

További felvilágosításért hívható:

Gabe Csapó – (6O9) 758-5113, vagy

Les Török – (614) 497-1O26

A református nevelés örökérvény? – s most ezt az életreszóló ajándékot adhatja gyermekének vagy unokájának, ha elküldi az ifjúsági táborunkba! Kérjük, más módon is támogassa táborunkat: hordozza imádságban a résztvev? fiatalokat, tábori nevel?ket és lelkipásztorokat, valamint egy egyszeri 25.OO dolláros adománnyal segítsen a tábor kiadásait csökkenteni. Bármilyen más összeg? adományt is hálás szívvel fogadunk és

kérjük, szíveskedjen csekkjét „Calvin Synod” névre kiállítva (a memo-ba írt „Youth

Camp” megjegyzéssel) a Kálvin Egyházkerület pénztárosához eljuttatni:

Mrs. Lisa Susan Toth-Maskarinec

1836 Timothy Drive, W. Mifflin, PA 15122

Legyen az Ifjúsági Tábor Istennek dics?ségére, a jöv? nemzedékeket pedig áldja meg

az értékes evangéliummal, amint ezt a Szentírás és a mi református tanításunk is hirdeti.

Köszönjük imádságát és segítségét,

Isten áldja meg gazdagon szívességéért és b?kez?ségéért!

The Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp will be held, by God’s grace, on July 19-25 @ Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Mt. Pleasant , PA We are using “My Heart Christ’s Home”

Please be in prayer for the spiritual well being of our youth, camp counselors, and clergy.

As discussed last year at the Calvin Synod, it is vitally important for local congregations to see this summer event as part of their year round ministry.

Hungarian Reformed Congregations are encouraged to help the young people who attend to nurture the “camp spirit” all year long in fact.

Your prayers and your generous efforts to sponsor youth to attend the Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp are much appreciated. May those efforts glorify God and bless the future generations with the precious Gospel declared in the Scriptures and our Doctrinal Standards!

In March 2007, Dr. Joel Beeke presented a seminar on Reformed Evangelism and Lynnwood United Reformed Church.

All are of interest, but two in particular are excellent starting points in preparation for the American Hungarian Reformed Presbyter’s Association:

Puritan Evangelism

Pastoral Evangelism Today and the Inner City

In addition to the above sermons, this document Calvin The Teacher of Evangelism by Dr. Beeke will also be helpfu.