Next week is our annual missions conference. Our theme this year is the motto of Johan Oncken, “Every Baptist a Missionary.” Oncken was the father or modern Continental European Baptists. The effects of his ministry stretch from Germany and Scandinavia to Russia. Hungarian Baptist began with missionaries sent out by his church in Hamburg. Click picture to enlarge.
Every Baptist a Missionary
John and Jean Waggoner, old friends from California, who have prayed for us and helped us over the years, paid us a visit in October. They ministered in testimonies, in music and in working with their hands. Click pictures to enlarge.
John and Jean Waggoner singing
John Waggoner shares his testimony
Hungarians observe the Day of the Dead on November 1. Around that time of year, families may travel all the way across the country to decorate the graves of dead loved ones. They light candles in the hope that their relatives will rise from the dead. How many of them will actually rise from the dead at the Rapture?
Here are some pictures that Ami took tonight. Click to enlarge.
Day of the Dead
Day of the Dead
Day of the Dead
Dear Praying Friends,
We were surprised to see Hajni (”Dawn” in English) sweeping the leaves from the area in front of the church entrance this morning. You do not expect something like this from someone who has attended church for only a few weeks. She got to church early this morning because Erika would be late and making sure that the front entrance is clean and neat on Sunday morning is Erika’s job. Erika was the one who invited originally invited Hajni to come to church with her. Since then she has attended most every Sunday evening and Wednesday service.
Often I am asked to preach for our midweek service on Wednesday, but on October 14, I was in Romania, so Bela asked Lajos Makura to preach instead. A number of ladies attend our Ladies’ Creative Circle but do not normally attend church came that evening, perhaps because they were friends with Rita Makura and wanted to know what her husband sounded like as a preacher. Lajos preached a powerful Gospel message and Hajni prayed to receive Christ after the service. What a delight to see her at church drinking in the Word and enjoying the fellowship. Pray for her. She is one of about ten million reasons God sent us to Hungary.
Thank you for praying for the students in Romania who are studying New Testament Greek. All of them passed a very difficult midterm test last week. Thank you also for praying for the Bible Institute students here in Pecs. Eight of them successfully completed the Baptist history class. One student has been out of town for the past week and expects to take the final exam soon. This is the second time we have offered this class, meaning that a total of 19 students will have completed the class.
We much enjoyed having John and Jean Waggoner with us for ten days. John gave his testimony in Sunday School and the two of them provided special music for two evening services. They also accompanied Jean and me to Romania where John gave his testimony in the Bible college chapel service. They were a blessing to us in helping with weather-proofing and sewing jobs that we have needed to get done both at our home and at the church building.
Last week we filed papers with the Interior Ministry for permanent visas. The process is long and complicated. Please pray that we will be able to get all the remaining paperwork together and that God will give us favor in the eyes of the officials at the local office.
Our annual missions conference begins next Sunday. Rather than having a speaker from the United States, this year Bela has arranged invited speakers from Hungary: Gedeon Olah who is planting a church in Nagykanizsa, Erwin Andrasik, who is planting a church in Dunakeszi, north of Budapest, as well as Jim Knies and myself. (After all, Jim and I are missionaries!) The theme this year is “Every Baptist a Missionary.” That phrase was the motto Johan Oncken, a German preacher who was behind the church planting movement that started the Baptist work in Hungary a century and a half ago.
The Lord willing, this month I will be preaching all four Thursdays plus Sunday the 22nd in Nagykanizsa. We are thrilled with the work God is doing there through Gedeon and Yoli Olah. They have gathered a group of young families who are growing in the Lord. Pray for God’s continued blessing on this ministry.
We ask you to intercede for the following who have spiritual needs: Niki, Attila, Anna, Lajos, Ildiko and Gyula. Pray for the salvation of Agi, Miklos and Erzsi.
We are seeing some very specific answers to prayer on a day-to-day basis. These answers encourage us to return to the throne of grace daily. Please join us there to receive mercy and grace.
Yours for Hungary hearts,
David Potter
PS—Please visit our web site at www.hungaryhearts.com to see pictures and other news of the ministry here.