Children's Work

When the new school year began in September, the children's "Sunday school" at church also began after a summer break. Sunday mornings begin at 10 AM with the entire church family worshipping together, sharing testimonies, and prayer. Then, the children are invited to go upstairs for a special teaching time while the Pastor begins his message.



For my children, this is their favorite part of church. and they eagerly wait for the right moment when they can join their friends upstairs in the "children's room." We have 2 rooms upstairs - one room for ages 3-10, and one for the upper grades. Both classes have teachers. There is not yet a class for toddlers, but there is one room downstairs with some toys where the little ones can play while parents listen to the sermon. (these 2 pictures were taken through the glass door, thus the glare on the photos)



This year a new children's director was named and recognized before the church family. She is excited about quality Bible teaching, wants to plan some outreach events, and provide training for the group of children's teachers. Each Sunday the teachers rotate, so that they can take turns staying in the service. Each one is responsible for planning their lesson based on the theme for the year. There are a few children's teaching guide books in Hungarian, but the teachers can write their own lessons, and search through resources for games, songs, and activities to accompany their lessons. They are very talented and creative! I am so glad to have the opportunity to work with them.

I must say, that after having seen how our American churches function with regards to the amount of money spent on their children's programing, I really like the simplicity and the limited resources here in Hungary. Church is very simple. Teaching children is very simple and does not require expensive toys, the finest chairs, modern video equipment, or expensive curriculum. For our curriculum, we use the Bible. I say, we all need to model this simplicity....less really can be more! Children are really easy to please, and teachers are very resourceful. Imagine how much more we could give to Lottie Moon or to humanitarian efforts around the world if our own church budgets were reduced!

Believers and Baptism

We attend an established Hungarian baptist church each Sunday morning at 10:00. They own their own building, and only have one service on Sunday. The first picture is from the back of the church during the music. The words to the songs are projected on the wall. We have a pianist, 2 guitars, drums, and several singers to lead the songs. There is no "special" music during the service. Sometimes there is an instrumental "concert" after the service. They take time to pray together and share testimonies. The children sit with parents during the first part of the service. We bring books for ours to read, and we take the baby outside for a walk when he can no longer sit quietly. It is common for parents to go in and out with their little ones. At the sermon time, the children go upstairs for a Bible lesson. All the children are in one class, ages 2 - 10. Our children are still learning to understand Hungarian and try to participate. We ate lunch together after one service (also pictured)- the church provided hot dogs (no buns), potato salad, and bread. Everyone also brought fruit, desserts, and bottled water.

Last Sunday we witnessed our first baptism. A portable pool was brought inside with a ladder. Three people were baptized wearing white clothes. Before the baptism, they each gave their testimony in front of the church. The room was so quiet as each one climbed up the tall ladder and down into the pool. All eyes were wet with tears when they came up out of the water. What a beautiful picture of the old life being buried, and being raised to a new life in Christ. This was an amazing event. Afterwards, the three kneeled in front of the church to be prayed for.

"So then, those who had received his word were baptized.....and they were continually devoting themselves to the apostle's teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. And those who had believed were TOGETHER..."
Acts 2:41-46

It is GOOD to be with God's people!