December 2002

News from Croatia

Dear Friends

Ordination Service

Greetings from Croatia. Thanksgiving has just passed, and we have an enormous amount to be thankful for, even amidst the challenges that we face. First and most importantly, we have had an ordination service for several of our pastors, including Janos Hajak, from Karanac; Branimir Bucanovic, who is starting the congregation in Zagreb; and Lidija Gunjevic, who along with her husband Boris, a Lutheran pastor, is starting the new congregation in the center of Osijek. The significance of this day cannot be overstated. It points to a new day in the Reformed Christian Church in Croatia, as we move forward in the mission of the gospel.

Nearly the whole service was conducted in the Hungarian language of the majority of our Church. Though this is Croatia, most of our congregations are Hungarian. The service was led by Gustav Bolcskei, the presiding bishop of the Reformed Church in Hungary. Branimir and Lidija do not speak Hungarian, so I had the privilege of pronouncing a blessing on both of them in Croatian.

We are grateful to Prof. Dr. Janos Pasztor for arranging this service. He has been a tireless friend of the Reformed Church here. He leads pastors conferences, preaches, teaches, and gives us needed counsel and encouragement.

My former boss (and still my friend), Duncan Hanson (who is now Europe director for the Reformed Church of America) was able to join us in the service in the laying on of hands for both Branimir and Lidija. The multi-lingual nature of the day was a clear affirmation of the multi-ethnic nature of both the Reformed Christian Church in Croatia and of the Kingdom of God which knows no national boundaries.

Please continue to pray for Branimir and Lidija as they work hard to establish new Reformed congregations. Pray also for all of our pastors, Bishop Langh, and our students who are studying for ministry. We have many challenges to face as a small church in a complicated land, but we serve a great God who is able to meet all of our needs.

Women's conference in Karanac

Just two weeks before the ordination service we had a women's conference in Karanac. Led by another one of our helping angels, Judith Pastor (wife of Janos Pasztor and president of the Reformed Women's Association in Hungary). Judith has come to lead many women's conferences for us, always bringing a team with her to share the responsibilities. As you can see, it is quite popular with our women. The are hungry for fellowship and encouragement, and even when the weather is gray they come in substantial numbers. Transportation is a challenge for many of them, but because of the generosity of some of our partners in the States we were able to rent a bus for the conference. It was a godsend, enabling many women to attend who otherwise could not have. Thank you for your important help.

The man almost sitting, with the white jacket in the front on the left is one of our theological students, Darko. His wife is on the far left holding the bag. Pray for them as they prepare for full-time ministry. We have been able to give them some limited support as they study, due to the generosity of our partners, and again, let me say thank you for helping them!

Many of you are our partners in ministry, supporting and encouraging the work of the Reformed Christian Church in Croatia. You are a big blessing for us! You do not get the joy of being able to be here physically for these special times in which the fruit of your help is so visible, but I hope you in turn are blessed to see the fruits of your generosity. God bless you.

The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 79