Budapest - 1st November, 2008
Dear Friends and Family,
'Do not say anything at school about what is discussed at home.' This sentence still goes on resounding in the minds of the participants of the international missions conference which was held in Hungary at the end of August.
IAMS conference
The fourth world conference of the International Association for Mission Studies took place in Hungary under the auspices of the Gáspár Károli Reformed University. A large part of the local organization fell to the staff of the missions institute.
A few years ago a very specific decision was taken to hold it in a country in Central Europe and to have as the main theme of the conference, Human Identity and the Gospel of Reconciliation, a theme which fits with the burning issues in the region. (See more: www.iams2008.com)
Six young women in mission
In order to give the more than 250 participants from 44 countries - according to one of the participants a real 'abundance of nations, tribes, people and languages' - insight into this situation and in particular to make them acquainted with the experience of the Communist time, a number of young women participants were asked to tell something about their lives and that of their families, and in particular to reflect on what it meant to live as a Christian in an atheist system.
Figure 1, from left to right: Vija, Olga, Tanya, Dorottya, Eszter and Edit
Not telling anyone that your parents and your grandparents hold to the message and values of the Bible and go to Church on Sundays, taking you along. Because of this, being an outsider, being avoided as a child, not being able to play naturally with friends. It all seems so long ago that this occurred in the families in the various countries of the region. So many years ago, yet still quite fresh in the memories of Vija, Olga, Tanya, Dorottya, Eszter and Edit and many others who experienced it. It remains a part of your life, even if you were only ten years old at the time. The shadows of the past have not yet disappeared either.
For many participants, it was a moving introduction into what went on behind the Iron Curtain.
Figure 2 Some of the fifty participants from Central and Eastern Europe
A world opens up...
For the missions institute it was a very special experience to have so many guests for a whole week and to introduce them in various ways to Central and Eastern Europe. Gina, one of our students, expressed it like this,
'So many different people from different parts of the world: it was such an encouragement... It was wonderful to receive them. I was proud of my home country. It warmed me to see how they were surprised at the beauty of Lake Balaton, Budapest and the countryside... The conference helped me to broaden my vision of the Church of Christ.'
For two days, Hungary was in the spotlight. On the Sunday, many of the participants were guests in Churches in Budapest. More than forty congregations received foreign guests during the Sunday worship services. Many were able to preach or to bring greetings from their home Churches. A second day focused on the subject of missionary work. Exposure visits were made to a great variety of projects: the problem of the urban cities, the so-called 'house of terror', Jewish diaspora yesterday and today, and much attention was also paid to the work among the Roma (gypsies).
Identity and reconciliation
Of course there were other days hallmarked by introductions to the development of missions and missiological research. The central theme was constantly “Human identity and the Gospel of reconciliation”. In Christ we receive a new identity, which means that other identities disappear or slip into second place (cf. Gal. 3:26-19). One of the fruits of this is that 'enemies become friends'.
The theme and the stories from the region continue to resound in the minds of the participants, and in Hungary itself as well. It was not just a conference you go to, pick up something or not, and then proceed to the order of the day. It was not for nothing that there was so much media interest.
Hungary 'moral sacrificial lamb'
Hungary is facing the burning question of reconciliation with the past. This has to do with the shadows of the past at all levels of society.
I had wanted to write this Kool News already quite soon after the conference, but there were many things that still had to be rounded off and the new academic year was about to start straight away. Now I am writing it, it has taken on an extra charge. I read last week in a Dutch newspaper (NCR - 22nd October):
'Hungary is a moral sacrificial lamb. Hungarians no longer have any trust whatsoever in politics. This is seen with a vengeance now that the country is being hit by the credit crunch. The ultra-right is taking advantage of this dissatisfaction.'
The questions which are now facing Hungary had been around for some time, visible in political debate, through the great conflict between government and opposition, and more under the surface among many Hungarians. With the credit crunch, many nerves seem to have been laid bare.
This relates to several matters: economic growth is severely restricted in comparison with the surrounding countries; there is an urgent need for a revision of the health care system; there are issues relating to the future of education; and there are major questions about the way in which things are run. Partly because of the great political contrasts, it has not been possible to achieve a substantial approach in many areas.
Wonderful task for Church and university
Churches and universities are part of this society. When it says 'sacrificial lamb', there is a wonderful task for the Church and the university to bring into the limelight the values for which they stand and to be an example for society. After all, reconciliation is taught in God's Word. Unfortunately, in practice it is not (yet) the case that this task is being taken up.
Mission as a ministry of reconciliation
The institute is trying to incorporate in the lectures some conditions which are necessary in the present situation to be an example. Students remarked that what they learn at the lectures is 'very useful in many area of the work of a minister', or 'I expected dry and boring teaching material. Instead of that I was given a wonderful new perspective on the Church and missions.' Another remarked, 'The subject of missiology has taught me an openness, so that later when I am a minister that I will not only be concerned with those who come to Church, but also with those who do not have any contact whatsoever with the Church. Besides this, I have gained the courage to go and seek them out and talk to them about the gospel. In the future, I also want to find fellow workers and to equip them.' 'Missiology helps us to be more consciously involved in questions of mission, to talk about them and not to allow it to be an ad hoc matter.'
An important lecture that is on the timetable for this semester is, Missions as a service of reconciliation, in which we translate the issues from the conference into everyday life. What do the Biblical notes about reconciliation mean for our own identity in Christ and for dealing with conflicts? Yet another lecture, also for students from the whole of the university, is linked with human identity. The students invite persons known to them from the Church and society and put question to them such as why these people believe, what drives them as Christians in their professions.
Figure 3 Students listen attentively to a Nigerian guest speaker
One of the first guests was a senior official from the Nigerian embassy and the pastor of the African Church in Budapest.
A personal note and some topics for prayer
1. Against the background of the crisis in Hungary, there is a strong tendency throughout society to turn back to forms of leadership which were widely applied under Communism. This situation does not pass the Church and the university by. Please pray for all the attempts which are being made to uphold the truth and to live in the Truth.
2. This autumn, elections are being held in the Reformed Church of Hungary for new Church leadership and for new bishops. Please pray that people will be elected who are an example in doctrine and in deeds and who are capable of leading the Church and the fellowships on the way of hope, faith and love. Pray that the Spirit of Reformation will continue to work with power, even today.
3. Pray for the Károli University. Pray for the leadership of the university, for wisdom, dedication and perseverance, that the university may fulfil its important calling as a Christian university in a society which is becoming increasingly secularised.
4. Give thanks for the new team of the Missions Institute. Also for the lectures this semester and for the positive feedback from the students. Please pray that the students will be touched, and will be stimulated to follow Christ in all the areas of their life. Pray for the development and accreditation of new programmes, not a simple matter at this time. The difficulties are not only in the area of the finances (no small challenge either!), but voices are also being raised in favour of tinkering with the equal rights of Christian education.
5. In these troubled times, with God's help and trusting in His strength and wisdom, I am trying to stand steadfast and to be a signpost for students and colleagues. Please pray especially for my role as the mentor of a new generation of preachers and teachers, who are posing missionary questions in the Church and university and studying them and trying to share their vision and knowledge with others. 2 Tim. 2:2.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Anne-Marie Kool
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Kool News of the Károli -- 6
Dear Friends and Family,
A few reflections on Nehemiah by some PhD students
The discussion began with these questions: “Which sentence particularly speaks to you?``
“Nehemiah allows the bad news on the walls of the Jerusalem temple being in ruins to sink in, this leads to prayer”, responded one.
“We tend always to polish up reality, or to flee into the past”, responded another. “We don't dare to face up to reality.”
“Nehemiah confesses his own faults, but also those of his people. This is unheard of with us. How much this is needed, even today.”
The whole day, the conversation kept connecting the ruins in Nehemiah’s time to the ruins that we see around us in the Churches and in Hungarian society. The cracks are visible everywhere: especially in the widespread tendency to blame others. „It's their fault, not ours”.
On gossiping and mud slinging
Recently our pastor, Rev. András Lovas, gave a series of sermons about the Ten Commandments, which prophetically addressed the current problems in Hungarian society, but also what is means in everyday life to follow Christ. The sermon, about the ninth commandment, “you shall not give false testimony about your neighbour” raised issues that deal directly with events happening in Hungarian society over the last year and a half. It is nothing new, but a clear shadow of the past.
In 1984 Vaclav Havel (at that time still a Czech dissident) links this commandment with a striking analysis of the society of his time (in Living in Truth). It is very true in Hungary today: „...this commandment refers to all types of lies. Truthful, honest and trustworthy speech is part of the foundation of the common life of a society. Where words do not mean what they really mean, in today's terms, where communication and manipulation are the order of the day, instead of open and honest speech, there the foundations of the social community shake. The well-being and health of every community depends on honest speech, on fitting words for the reality. In Hungarian society today, we are experiencing the serious reality of this lack of honesty. In this way, we realise that bearing false testimony, that every form of lie, is not only an individual but also a collective sin.”
Gossip completely accepted
God not only warns His people not to bear false testimony because it is bad in itself, but also because it is damaging for others: 'You shall not give false testimony AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOUR.'
Lying destroys, devastates others... self-interest is set above the truth. The good name of another, his possessions, his usefulness, his health are damaged, because we want to maintain our own interests.
... Often we do this subconsciously ... we do not realise what we are doing. Gossiping, backbiting, is completely accepted in everyday life... It has become part of us to join in. In the words of John Calvin, it is a 'sweet poison, in which we take delight'. How is it that we take such delight in this deadly and destructive poison?
'You did not come to know Christ that way' ... Jesus calls us to stop this. This is possible if we turn to Him in confession and consciously turn away from the lies: 'If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.' He is the only One Who can set us free from putting self-interest first. He liberates you from the compulsion to prove yourself by besmirching others. He calls you to Himself, when you have the feeling that society no longer accepts you because you no longer join in with slinging mud and blackening the name of others... He gives us His Spirit, the Spirit of truth, Who again makes us sensitive to the truth... It is to this that God calls us, also as a Church. To be supporters of speaking the truth, of love and of blessing in this world. To begin with sincerely praising others. Instead of cursing, to speak well of others. If we hear something bad, to close our ears, or if the accusation is unfounded, that we defend the other person. Let us in daily life stop putting others down and cursing others, and let us instead send messages into the world that are uplifting, showing respect for others and bringing blessing. Let us do this in very real ways in our circles, at our work, at school, with our families, in our church. Let us encourage and praise one another, build one another up, and in this way go against the stream of gossip and cynical and bitter remarks. Let us in this way be salt and yeast in our world, and so prepare ourselves for the future to which the Lord calls us. It is only a renewed and continually renewing fellowship which will reveal the mighty deeds of God in a barren land. Amen.
Being a peacemaker
At a conference of leaders of theological schools in Prague, we dealt with the topic of how to manage conflict. I was quite disconcerted to learn through their accounts of situations of deep conflicts and accusations leading to fighting, loneliness and struggles. This is all too familiar in contemporary Central and Eastern Europe. In my talk I noted elements from the post-Communist culture that easily lead to these types of conflicts and on ways to avoid conflict. The core element in avoiding conflict is being a messenger of shalom, by proclaiming peace with God in Christ and with one another. But often there is a great gap between life based on reconciliation with God in Christ and everyday life. While Paul calls us to be ambassadors of reconciliation, we either shy away from conflicts („Peacefaking”) or fan the fire of conflicts („Peace breaking”) rather than seeking peace and being peacemakers (cf. Ken Sande, The Peacemaker: A Biblical guide to resolving personal conflict, pub. Baker Books).
(Group photo from Prague)
Twinning links in East and West
Earlier this year a conference was held in Houten on twinning links with church fellowships in Central and Eastern Europe. Over fifty people met to discuss being a missional church in East and West in this Post Christian era and how we as churches can stand along side one another in a position of equality. There are no standard solutions for the tremendous challenges being faced by all churches in Europe; to find forms in which the questions can become common questions, where there is a case of mutuality instead of a kind of paternalism.
(Photo of Conference for Twinning link churches)
'Do the next thing'
In a Church and society with this 'heritage', the Károli University is in a unique situation as one of the few Protestant universities in Central Europe, called to be the salt of the earth. The challenges are many, as are the open doors, but there are also many problems! Please pray for wisdom for the leadership of the university and of the churches. A friend once gave me this advice: “Do the next thing. Every day, do the thing which is clearly the next step.”
In the past months, many miracles have taken place.
* In the first semester, I gave two courses with a total of ten students. This semester, the new Missions Institute is providing six courses, in which ninety students have enrolled.
*Give thanks for all the donations that make it possible to provide these programs. Pray for more stable partners for the Missions Institute and the University.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Anne-Marie Kool
A few reflections on Nehemiah by some PhD students
The discussion began with these questions: “Which sentence particularly speaks to you?``
“Nehemiah allows the bad news on the walls of the Jerusalem temple being in ruins to sink in, this leads to prayer”, responded one.
“We tend always to polish up reality, or to flee into the past”, responded another. “We don't dare to face up to reality.”
“Nehemiah confesses his own faults, but also those of his people. This is unheard of with us. How much this is needed, even today.”
The whole day, the conversation kept connecting the ruins in Nehemiah’s time to the ruins that we see around us in the Churches and in Hungarian society. The cracks are visible everywhere: especially in the widespread tendency to blame others. „It's their fault, not ours”.
On gossiping and mud slinging
Recently our pastor, Rev. András Lovas, gave a series of sermons about the Ten Commandments, which prophetically addressed the current problems in Hungarian society, but also what is means in everyday life to follow Christ. The sermon, about the ninth commandment, “you shall not give false testimony about your neighbour” raised issues that deal directly with events happening in Hungarian society over the last year and a half. It is nothing new, but a clear shadow of the past.
In 1984 Vaclav Havel (at that time still a Czech dissident) links this commandment with a striking analysis of the society of his time (in Living in Truth). It is very true in Hungary today: „...this commandment refers to all types of lies. Truthful, honest and trustworthy speech is part of the foundation of the common life of a society. Where words do not mean what they really mean, in today's terms, where communication and manipulation are the order of the day, instead of open and honest speech, there the foundations of the social community shake. The well-being and health of every community depends on honest speech, on fitting words for the reality. In Hungarian society today, we are experiencing the serious reality of this lack of honesty. In this way, we realise that bearing false testimony, that every form of lie, is not only an individual but also a collective sin.”
Gossip completely accepted
God not only warns His people not to bear false testimony because it is bad in itself, but also because it is damaging for others: 'You shall not give false testimony AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOUR.'
Lying destroys, devastates others... self-interest is set above the truth. The good name of another, his possessions, his usefulness, his health are damaged, because we want to maintain our own interests.
... Often we do this subconsciously ... we do not realise what we are doing. Gossiping, backbiting, is completely accepted in everyday life... It has become part of us to join in. In the words of John Calvin, it is a 'sweet poison, in which we take delight'. How is it that we take such delight in this deadly and destructive poison?
'You did not come to know Christ that way' ... Jesus calls us to stop this. This is possible if we turn to Him in confession and consciously turn away from the lies: 'If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.' He is the only One Who can set us free from putting self-interest first. He liberates you from the compulsion to prove yourself by besmirching others. He calls you to Himself, when you have the feeling that society no longer accepts you because you no longer join in with slinging mud and blackening the name of others... He gives us His Spirit, the Spirit of truth, Who again makes us sensitive to the truth... It is to this that God calls us, also as a Church. To be supporters of speaking the truth, of love and of blessing in this world. To begin with sincerely praising others. Instead of cursing, to speak well of others. If we hear something bad, to close our ears, or if the accusation is unfounded, that we defend the other person. Let us in daily life stop putting others down and cursing others, and let us instead send messages into the world that are uplifting, showing respect for others and bringing blessing. Let us do this in very real ways in our circles, at our work, at school, with our families, in our church. Let us encourage and praise one another, build one another up, and in this way go against the stream of gossip and cynical and bitter remarks. Let us in this way be salt and yeast in our world, and so prepare ourselves for the future to which the Lord calls us. It is only a renewed and continually renewing fellowship which will reveal the mighty deeds of God in a barren land. Amen.
Being a peacemaker
At a conference of leaders of theological schools in Prague, we dealt with the topic of how to manage conflict. I was quite disconcerted to learn through their accounts of situations of deep conflicts and accusations leading to fighting, loneliness and struggles. This is all too familiar in contemporary Central and Eastern Europe. In my talk I noted elements from the post-Communist culture that easily lead to these types of conflicts and on ways to avoid conflict. The core element in avoiding conflict is being a messenger of shalom, by proclaiming peace with God in Christ and with one another. But often there is a great gap between life based on reconciliation with God in Christ and everyday life. While Paul calls us to be ambassadors of reconciliation, we either shy away from conflicts („Peacefaking”) or fan the fire of conflicts („Peace breaking”) rather than seeking peace and being peacemakers (cf. Ken Sande, The Peacemaker: A Biblical guide to resolving personal conflict, pub. Baker Books).
(Group photo from Prague)
Twinning links in East and West
Earlier this year a conference was held in Houten on twinning links with church fellowships in Central and Eastern Europe. Over fifty people met to discuss being a missional church in East and West in this Post Christian era and how we as churches can stand along side one another in a position of equality. There are no standard solutions for the tremendous challenges being faced by all churches in Europe; to find forms in which the questions can become common questions, where there is a case of mutuality instead of a kind of paternalism.
(Photo of Conference for Twinning link churches)
'Do the next thing'
In a Church and society with this 'heritage', the Károli University is in a unique situation as one of the few Protestant universities in Central Europe, called to be the salt of the earth. The challenges are many, as are the open doors, but there are also many problems! Please pray for wisdom for the leadership of the university and of the churches. A friend once gave me this advice: “Do the next thing. Every day, do the thing which is clearly the next step.”
In the past months, many miracles have taken place.
* In the first semester, I gave two courses with a total of ten students. This semester, the new Missions Institute is providing six courses, in which ninety students have enrolled.
*Give thanks for all the donations that make it possible to provide these programs. Pray for more stable partners for the Missions Institute and the University.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Anne-Marie Kool
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Kool News of the Károli -- 5
Budapest, 17 December 2007
(send out 28 February, 2008
Dear Friends and Family,
There's much to be learned from guests! Guests help you to see your situation through new eyes. I regularly have guests, especially from the Netherlands. In this Kool News, I have asked some of them to give their impressions.
Impressions of Budapest (1)
'For years, Kool News (and the previous Signs of Life from Hungary) has been a resource for many about mission and evangelism developments in Central and Eastern Europe. These reports reveal Anne-Marie Kool’s unique contributions to these developments. I can confidently attest to this. She has asked me to share my impressions in her newsletter with you in my own way. Since I became involved in the work of the Mission Institute as a volunteer two years ago, I have grown to know her and her work. Since 1990, I have increasingly become familiar with this region through participating in various activities, particularly dealing with people who have disabilities.
As a professor of missiology in a post-Communist region, Anne-Marie has dealt with everything imaginable: teaching those with a Communist upbringing that engenders faith in nothing and no one. Because of this, you never know if people will do what they promise and say what they think. And yet ...Anne-Marie is one of those people who take up the challenge. She believes in possibilities, because she trusts that God will help despite all the gloom. (Gloomy - that's what it looked like here last week: drab and grey.)
Then this morning, suddenly the sun was shining, the sky was blue and there was a refreshing breeze. Symbolic of all the brightness which can be seen in the eyes of the students with whom Anne-Marie is dealing and who are learning how to understand the commission of the Biblical message within the context of their culture. It was an impressive moment the first Sunday of Advent, there were more than twenty-five people who expressed a desire for the first time to become actively involved in the Church. There were also many children born into the church this year. The church is experiencing true growth thanks to the relentless dedication of the pastors and the many active volunteers..
There is much to learn - you do that if you have the opportunity to work with Anne-Marie. She is a teacher in heart and soul. She seems continually to radiate, not as a goal in itself, but out of commitment to the Good Cause of Jesus Christ. Inspiration is what you gain from being under her teaching. Somewhere in a building on Calvin Square, step-by-step work is being done to help students discover their true humanity in Christ.”
Mineke Hardeman, Budapest, 13th December, 2007)
From Saturday, December 1st to Tuesday, December 4th, Henk Massink, an elder from the Reformed Sion Church in Houten was a guest in Budapest. He, too, has been visiting Hungary since the beginning of the 1990's. Here are some of his impressions. (My, ”home churches” of Sion and the Gazdagrét both have connections here.)
Impressions of Budapest (2)
Miklos and Toncy Nagy warmly welcomed me in their flat in the Gazdagrét area. They, too, visited our Church in the Netherlands in 2005. It was good to renew our connections. Their home is about two hundred meters from the Gazdagrét church. With them, I again had discussions until deep in the night about the social and political situation in Hungary. It again became clear to me how strong the Communists aftermath still is and how harmful these influences are for society. The socialist government (under the leadership of a former Communist) is squashing any form of social creativity and responsibility.
Gazdagrét Church
On Sunday morning, the Gazdagrét church quickly filled. It is remarkable how many people have joined the Church through the Alpha course. It must have something to do with the fact that the church members are very hospitable to people from the neighborhood. In his sermon, Pastor Andras Lovas skillfully linked the situation in which people find themselves to the lament found in Psalm 13. Rev. Lovas showed that complaining is part of a Biblical life of faith that should transform from complaint into prayer and through faith into trust.
Mongolian Service
On Sunday afternoon, with Anne-Marie, I attended a small Mongolian Church. Janet, Janet, one of Anne-Marie’s former students invited us to join her at the Mongolian church that meets in Budapest. She was closely involved in the formation of this church in a poorer part of the city. The service was to start at 5:00 p.m., but at that time, we were standing in the cold outside a closed door. Just after five, a number of people came up with an unmistakably Asian appearance, one with the key to open the door. Talking was not easy but the reception was extremely warm.It was a special service, lasting about two and a half hours. It was a farewell service to two Korean evangelist-pastors who live in Germany, who had led an evangelistic campaign for the past ten days. The elder evangelist sang a song in which you could hear the wind whistling across the Mongolian steppes. Then the other Korean pastor took over in Mongolian. It happens that since the 1980's, there have been quite a lot of Mongolian women working as seamstresses in Budapest. (In 1994, I had contact with Munhijn, who came to faith in the Pasaret Church, AMK). Now there were finally about forty people present at the service, the vast majority women.
The word was like a sharp two-edged sword. The sermon focused mainly on Revelation 22:8. Eight forms of sin are mentioned. Anyone who commits any one of these sins ends up in the 'fiery lake of burning sulphur'. During the service, the pastor asked the Church members - while everyone had their eyes closed - to raise their hands if they knew they had committed any of these sins. It was a serious word through which the conscience was touched. But it was not left at this. The preacher commended the blood of Christ as the way to salvation and victory. In this, he gave the example of the powerful work of God's Spirit in the hearts of heathen (Mongolian) priests. The Church clearly expressed its joy about this great grace.
This service also seemed to be a type of commissioning service where various church members were assigned tasks. sing. After that, with a firm hug, everyone said good-bye to the two Korean guest pastors, and they sang to us as special guests. It was all particularly impressive and moving.
H.F. Massink
Finally
When you read this belated Kool News, teaching is well underway into the second semester with about 80 students in five courses! I’m greatly enjoying it. Next week a guest professor from Ghana, Prof. Dr. Cephas Omenyo will teach a class on Renewal in African Christianity: the case of Ghana. Pray that the course will be a great blessing to the 25+ students who have registered. Thank you for your faithful support and prayers!
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Anne-Marie Kool
Anne-Marie Kool was seconded by the Reformed Mission League in the Protestant Church in the Netherlands (GZB) in 1993 to the Reformed Church in Hungary, with the assignment to establish the Protestant Institute for Mission Studies (PMTI) in Budapest. In 1998, she was appointed as a professor of missiology at the Reformed Theological Academy in Papa, and from September 1, 2006 at the Gaspar Karoli Reformed University as Professor of Missiology and director of the Central and Eastern European Institute for Mission Studies. She is also actively involved in the Reformed Church in the high-rise residential area where she lives (Gazdagret, Budapest).
If you would like to support the ministry of the Central and Eastern European Institute for Mission Studies of the Karoli Gaspar Reformed University (KRE) you may send your tax-deductible gifts to:
I.D.E.A Ministries, 4595
Broadmoor—Suite 237, Grand
Rapids, MI 49512, USA.
We are pleased to inform you that we are now able to process online donations (for U.S. residents). Please visit our website www.ideaministries.org, and click on the “donate to IDEA’ link for your supporters they would go to “OTHER” and type in the comments box “KRE/CIMS”. If you have any questions please call Robin Skestone at the Idea Ministries Grand Rapids office (tel. 616.698.8393).
Please indicate that this donation is for the KRE/CIMS, otherwise we will not receive your contribution. Please also add the designation of your donation.
The Karoli Gaspar Reformed University / CIMS,
Kalvin ter 7.II,
P.O. Box 73,
1461 Budapest, Hungary.
Tel. +36 1 216 20 54/106.
E-mail: amkool@kre.hu or amkool@t-online.hu.
(send out 28 February, 2008
Dear Friends and Family,
There's much to be learned from guests! Guests help you to see your situation through new eyes. I regularly have guests, especially from the Netherlands. In this Kool News, I have asked some of them to give their impressions.
Impressions of Budapest (1)
'For years, Kool News (and the previous Signs of Life from Hungary) has been a resource for many about mission and evangelism developments in Central and Eastern Europe. These reports reveal Anne-Marie Kool’s unique contributions to these developments. I can confidently attest to this. She has asked me to share my impressions in her newsletter with you in my own way. Since I became involved in the work of the Mission Institute as a volunteer two years ago, I have grown to know her and her work. Since 1990, I have increasingly become familiar with this region through participating in various activities, particularly dealing with people who have disabilities.
As a professor of missiology in a post-Communist region, Anne-Marie has dealt with everything imaginable: teaching those with a Communist upbringing that engenders faith in nothing and no one. Because of this, you never know if people will do what they promise and say what they think. And yet ...Anne-Marie is one of those people who take up the challenge. She believes in possibilities, because she trusts that God will help despite all the gloom. (Gloomy - that's what it looked like here last week: drab and grey.)
Then this morning, suddenly the sun was shining, the sky was blue and there was a refreshing breeze. Symbolic of all the brightness which can be seen in the eyes of the students with whom Anne-Marie is dealing and who are learning how to understand the commission of the Biblical message within the context of their culture. It was an impressive moment the first Sunday of Advent, there were more than twenty-five people who expressed a desire for the first time to become actively involved in the Church. There were also many children born into the church this year. The church is experiencing true growth thanks to the relentless dedication of the pastors and the many active volunteers..
There is much to learn - you do that if you have the opportunity to work with Anne-Marie. She is a teacher in heart and soul. She seems continually to radiate, not as a goal in itself, but out of commitment to the Good Cause of Jesus Christ. Inspiration is what you gain from being under her teaching. Somewhere in a building on Calvin Square, step-by-step work is being done to help students discover their true humanity in Christ.”
Mineke Hardeman, Budapest, 13th December, 2007)
From Saturday, December 1st to Tuesday, December 4th, Henk Massink, an elder from the Reformed Sion Church in Houten was a guest in Budapest. He, too, has been visiting Hungary since the beginning of the 1990's. Here are some of his impressions. (My, ”home churches” of Sion and the Gazdagrét both have connections here.)
Impressions of Budapest (2)
Miklos and Toncy Nagy warmly welcomed me in their flat in the Gazdagrét area. They, too, visited our Church in the Netherlands in 2005. It was good to renew our connections. Their home is about two hundred meters from the Gazdagrét church. With them, I again had discussions until deep in the night about the social and political situation in Hungary. It again became clear to me how strong the Communists aftermath still is and how harmful these influences are for society. The socialist government (under the leadership of a former Communist) is squashing any form of social creativity and responsibility.
Gazdagrét Church
On Sunday morning, the Gazdagrét church quickly filled. It is remarkable how many people have joined the Church through the Alpha course. It must have something to do with the fact that the church members are very hospitable to people from the neighborhood. In his sermon, Pastor Andras Lovas skillfully linked the situation in which people find themselves to the lament found in Psalm 13. Rev. Lovas showed that complaining is part of a Biblical life of faith that should transform from complaint into prayer and through faith into trust.
Mongolian Service
On Sunday afternoon, with Anne-Marie, I attended a small Mongolian Church. Janet, Janet, one of Anne-Marie’s former students invited us to join her at the Mongolian church that meets in Budapest. She was closely involved in the formation of this church in a poorer part of the city. The service was to start at 5:00 p.m., but at that time, we were standing in the cold outside a closed door. Just after five, a number of people came up with an unmistakably Asian appearance, one with the key to open the door. Talking was not easy but the reception was extremely warm.It was a special service, lasting about two and a half hours. It was a farewell service to two Korean evangelist-pastors who live in Germany, who had led an evangelistic campaign for the past ten days. The elder evangelist sang a song in which you could hear the wind whistling across the Mongolian steppes. Then the other Korean pastor took over in Mongolian. It happens that since the 1980's, there have been quite a lot of Mongolian women working as seamstresses in Budapest. (In 1994, I had contact with Munhijn, who came to faith in the Pasaret Church, AMK). Now there were finally about forty people present at the service, the vast majority women.
The word was like a sharp two-edged sword. The sermon focused mainly on Revelation 22:8. Eight forms of sin are mentioned. Anyone who commits any one of these sins ends up in the 'fiery lake of burning sulphur'. During the service, the pastor asked the Church members - while everyone had their eyes closed - to raise their hands if they knew they had committed any of these sins. It was a serious word through which the conscience was touched. But it was not left at this. The preacher commended the blood of Christ as the way to salvation and victory. In this, he gave the example of the powerful work of God's Spirit in the hearts of heathen (Mongolian) priests. The Church clearly expressed its joy about this great grace.
This service also seemed to be a type of commissioning service where various church members were assigned tasks. sing. After that, with a firm hug, everyone said good-bye to the two Korean guest pastors, and they sang to us as special guests. It was all particularly impressive and moving.
H.F. Massink
Finally
When you read this belated Kool News, teaching is well underway into the second semester with about 80 students in five courses! I’m greatly enjoying it. Next week a guest professor from Ghana, Prof. Dr. Cephas Omenyo will teach a class on Renewal in African Christianity: the case of Ghana. Pray that the course will be a great blessing to the 25+ students who have registered. Thank you for your faithful support and prayers!
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Anne-Marie Kool
Anne-Marie Kool was seconded by the Reformed Mission League in the Protestant Church in the Netherlands (GZB) in 1993 to the Reformed Church in Hungary, with the assignment to establish the Protestant Institute for Mission Studies (PMTI) in Budapest. In 1998, she was appointed as a professor of missiology at the Reformed Theological Academy in Papa, and from September 1, 2006 at the Gaspar Karoli Reformed University as Professor of Missiology and director of the Central and Eastern European Institute for Mission Studies. She is also actively involved in the Reformed Church in the high-rise residential area where she lives (Gazdagret, Budapest).
If you would like to support the ministry of the Central and Eastern European Institute for Mission Studies of the Karoli Gaspar Reformed University (KRE) you may send your tax-deductible gifts to:
I.D.E.A Ministries, 4595
Broadmoor—Suite 237, Grand
Rapids, MI 49512, USA.
We are pleased to inform you that we are now able to process online donations (for U.S. residents). Please visit our website www.ideaministries.org, and click on the “donate to IDEA’ link for your supporters they would go to “OTHER” and type in the comments box “KRE/CIMS”. If you have any questions please call Robin Skestone at the Idea Ministries Grand Rapids office (tel. 616.698.8393).
Please indicate that this donation is for the KRE/CIMS, otherwise we will not receive your contribution. Please also add the designation of your donation.
The Karoli Gaspar Reformed University / CIMS,
Kalvin ter 7.II,
P.O. Box 73,
1461 Budapest, Hungary.
Tel. +36 1 216 20 54/106.
E-mail: amkool@kre.hu or amkool@t-online.hu.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Course on Renewal in African Christianity: the case of Ghana
Central and Eastern European
Institute for Mission Studies
Renewal of African Christianity: Challenge for Central and Eastern Europe
March 6-8, 2008
Introduction
The Central and Eastern European Institute of Mission Studies as part of the Károli Gáspár Reformed University in Budapest offers an open forum for study and discussion and deepening knowledge on missiology. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students, laity and pastors, aware of the immense challenges of God’s church in post-modern times are invited to contribute to the discussions and to invest time in learning from first-hand experiences of the non-Western world.
Never before were the experiences in Africa seen as an example for Europe. Nowadays the ecclesiastical centre of gravity has shifted, and Europe can learn from one of the most vital parts of Christianity: from Africa.
Renewal of African Christianity: the case of Ghana
Prof. Dr. Cephas Omenyo, is professor at the University of Ghana in Legon. He brings unique perspectives and experiences on the renewal of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana to Budapest, in a three days conference.
The kind of Christianity that was introduced by Western Christian missionaries in the Sub Saharan African region in the early 19th century for a long time remained an “alien” religion that was unable to grapple with typical African issues. Consequently it did not experience much growth, despite the fact that resources were put in place to facilitate growth. There is a new trend whereby African Christianity is undergoing a tremendous growth and renewal. There is growth in all dimensions of African Christianity, both within the historical, mainline, churches and the contemporary Pentecostal/Charismatic churches and movements. The course shall be devoted to a study of the phenomenon of growth by examining the following themes:
The history of African Christianity
Renewal in African Christianity
Various emphasis of the renewal movements
Challenges that the renewal is posing to the historic/mainline Christianity
What world Christianity can learn from African Christianity
The course is planned as a three day course. During the three days the input from Dr. Omenyo will form the red thread. Nevertheless participants will have many opportunities to discuss the lectures and the implications for the situation in Central and Eastern Europe.
Participants
The course is open for pastors, laity and students who are waiting for renewal in their churches and new inspiration in their ministry. People who in their daily practice are confronted with many questions about the missionary calling of the Church in today’s world.and society, who are wondering about the future of the church and are looking for new ideas.
Registration for the course preferably using the registration form on the CIMS website: www.kre.hu
Tuition fee
Due to subsidies the tuition fee for this special event is kept low.
Pastors, Christian workers, Post-graduate students will pay 7500 Ft; for undergraduate students special arrangements have been made. Full or partial scholarships are available. Send your requests to cims@kre.hu with a brief motivation letter why this course is important to you, and how much you can contribute yourself.
Registration is required before 4st March, 2008.
Travel and subsistence
Participants will pay own costs for travel; if overnight stay and meals are needed CIMS staff can offer some reasonable suggestions (Mrs. Margit Szirmai, cims@kre.hu).
CIMS general information
The Central and Eastern European Institute for Mission Studies of the Károli Gáspár Reformed University was established in 2006. It is centrally located in downtown Budapest. CIMS mission library and resource centre contains a unique collection of more then 7000 books and major mission journals. More information will be provided by librarian Gabriella Maros (maros.gabriella@kre.hu)
Prof. Dr Cephas Omenyo
Cephas Narh Omenyo is currently the John A. Mackay Professor of World Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary. He earned his M.Phil. from the University of Ghana, Legon, and his Ph.D. from the University of Utrecht, The Netherlands. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, he is a member of that church’s General Assembly committees on church and society, constitutional review, and worship. A member of the Joint Consultative Group between the World Council of Churches and Pentecostals, and a member of the Reformed Commission of the Ongoing International Reformed-Pentecostal Dialogue, he is currently researching church-planting activities by churches in the Southern Hemisphere (focusing on Africa, and particularly on Ghana) in the Northern Hemisphere. He is co-editor of the revived Ghana Bulletin of Theology. He teaches courses in African Pentecostalism, the history of African Christianity, and the African experience of gospel and culture.
Major publications:
Pentecost outside Pentecostalism: A Study of the Development of Charismatic Renewal in the Mainline Church in Ghana (Zoetermeer, 2002)The Ongoing Encounter between Christianity and African Culture: A Case Study of Girls’ Nubility Rite of the Krobos (Adwensa Publishers, 2001)
CIMS address
Károli Gáspár Reformed University -- Central and Eastern European Institute for Mission Studies
Kálvin tér 7.II
1091 Budapest
1461 Pf. 73
Email: cims@kre.hu
Tel. +36 1 216 2054/101
Course schedule
The course will take place on Thursday 6th March 4pm-8 pm, Friday 7th March 2-8 pm and Saturday 8th March 9am-2 pm.
CIMS is using the picture of one of the main bridges in Budapest as symbol for its aims and goals. Bridge building between:
· East and West
· South and North
· Bible and Society
· Present and past
· Practice and theory
· Church and Society
Not as goal in itself but as servants.
Institute for Mission Studies
Renewal of African Christianity: Challenge for Central and Eastern Europe
March 6-8, 2008
Introduction
The Central and Eastern European Institute of Mission Studies as part of the Károli Gáspár Reformed University in Budapest offers an open forum for study and discussion and deepening knowledge on missiology. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students, laity and pastors, aware of the immense challenges of God’s church in post-modern times are invited to contribute to the discussions and to invest time in learning from first-hand experiences of the non-Western world.
Never before were the experiences in Africa seen as an example for Europe. Nowadays the ecclesiastical centre of gravity has shifted, and Europe can learn from one of the most vital parts of Christianity: from Africa.
Renewal of African Christianity: the case of Ghana
Prof. Dr. Cephas Omenyo, is professor at the University of Ghana in Legon. He brings unique perspectives and experiences on the renewal of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana to Budapest, in a three days conference.
The kind of Christianity that was introduced by Western Christian missionaries in the Sub Saharan African region in the early 19th century for a long time remained an “alien” religion that was unable to grapple with typical African issues. Consequently it did not experience much growth, despite the fact that resources were put in place to facilitate growth. There is a new trend whereby African Christianity is undergoing a tremendous growth and renewal. There is growth in all dimensions of African Christianity, both within the historical, mainline, churches and the contemporary Pentecostal/Charismatic churches and movements. The course shall be devoted to a study of the phenomenon of growth by examining the following themes:
The history of African Christianity
Renewal in African Christianity
Various emphasis of the renewal movements
Challenges that the renewal is posing to the historic/mainline Christianity
What world Christianity can learn from African Christianity
The course is planned as a three day course. During the three days the input from Dr. Omenyo will form the red thread. Nevertheless participants will have many opportunities to discuss the lectures and the implications for the situation in Central and Eastern Europe.
Participants
The course is open for pastors, laity and students who are waiting for renewal in their churches and new inspiration in their ministry. People who in their daily practice are confronted with many questions about the missionary calling of the Church in today’s world.and society, who are wondering about the future of the church and are looking for new ideas.
Registration for the course preferably using the registration form on the CIMS website: www.kre.hu
Tuition fee
Due to subsidies the tuition fee for this special event is kept low.
Pastors, Christian workers, Post-graduate students will pay 7500 Ft; for undergraduate students special arrangements have been made. Full or partial scholarships are available. Send your requests to cims@kre.hu with a brief motivation letter why this course is important to you, and how much you can contribute yourself.
Registration is required before 4st March, 2008.
Travel and subsistence
Participants will pay own costs for travel; if overnight stay and meals are needed CIMS staff can offer some reasonable suggestions (Mrs. Margit Szirmai, cims@kre.hu).
CIMS general information
The Central and Eastern European Institute for Mission Studies of the Károli Gáspár Reformed University was established in 2006. It is centrally located in downtown Budapest. CIMS mission library and resource centre contains a unique collection of more then 7000 books and major mission journals. More information will be provided by librarian Gabriella Maros (maros.gabriella@kre.hu)
Prof. Dr Cephas Omenyo
Cephas Narh Omenyo is currently the John A. Mackay Professor of World Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary. He earned his M.Phil. from the University of Ghana, Legon, and his Ph.D. from the University of Utrecht, The Netherlands. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, he is a member of that church’s General Assembly committees on church and society, constitutional review, and worship. A member of the Joint Consultative Group between the World Council of Churches and Pentecostals, and a member of the Reformed Commission of the Ongoing International Reformed-Pentecostal Dialogue, he is currently researching church-planting activities by churches in the Southern Hemisphere (focusing on Africa, and particularly on Ghana) in the Northern Hemisphere. He is co-editor of the revived Ghana Bulletin of Theology. He teaches courses in African Pentecostalism, the history of African Christianity, and the African experience of gospel and culture.
Major publications:
Pentecost outside Pentecostalism: A Study of the Development of Charismatic Renewal in the Mainline Church in Ghana (Zoetermeer, 2002)The Ongoing Encounter between Christianity and African Culture: A Case Study of Girls’ Nubility Rite of the Krobos (Adwensa Publishers, 2001)
CIMS address
Károli Gáspár Reformed University -- Central and Eastern European Institute for Mission Studies
Kálvin tér 7.II
1091 Budapest
1461 Pf. 73
Email: cims@kre.hu
Tel. +36 1 216 2054/101
Course schedule
The course will take place on Thursday 6th March 4pm-8 pm, Friday 7th March 2-8 pm and Saturday 8th March 9am-2 pm.
CIMS is using the picture of one of the main bridges in Budapest as symbol for its aims and goals. Bridge building between:
· East and West
· South and North
· Bible and Society
· Present and past
· Practice and theory
· Church and Society
Not as goal in itself but as servants.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
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