From the April-June 2008 Issue
Give me this mountain (Joshua 14:12)
Istvan and Marta Borzasi
The Borzasi familyIn this case the ‘mountain’ does not refer to Hebron, but to Pericei and the hill country of Salaj County in Romania. This is the new place to which we believe God sent us to minister. We moved here at the beginning of February, and we are praying for the faith, initiative and power of Caleb!
An overview of the Grace of God
First, let us remember the grace of God experienced in Targu Mures and Mures County during the last eight and a half years. Among the achievements there is the stabilization and growth of the Hungarian Baptist Church in Targu Mures. In 1999 only 46 members remained in the church, but today the membership has almost doubled (plus the university students who are included in the congregation during the school year), and the membership in the whole county has tripled. Altogether 214 members were baptized, and 20 new churches were planted. Five of the newly-planted churches have legal independence, owning their new church buildings. Four new church buildings were built, two other church buildings and two pastors’ houses purchased. Some of the new churches became new mission centres, where altogether six pastors are continuing the mission work in the county.
There is first of all Sándor J. Kelemen, a missionary with EMF, who remained as full time pastor in Targu Mures, Idrifaia, Cinta and Curteni, to continue the mission work there and in surrounding villages. He is also the interim pastor in Gheorgheni, a newly-planted church in a very important town, about 120 km from Targu Mures.
In Reghin, Attila Toth is the pastor, and during his ministry a new church in Apalina was planted (among Gypsies), and a new chapel was built in Gornesti. The congregations in Gornesti and Peris continue to grow.
In Magherani, Jakab Sallai is the pastor. During his ministry a new chapel was built there. He is working to plant a new church in Miercurea Nirajului, which is the major town in the area. There are other members in Maia and Maiat, and a small congregation in Adrianu Mic.
In Chibed, Gyorgy Doczi is pastor, having been ordained in September 2003, after the church was re-established. There were no members here before, and the old church building was used by the Seventh Day Adventists. New congregations were started in the surrounding area as well, in Sarateni, Ghindari, Trei Sate, Sovata, Ocna de Sus, and Ocna de Jos. A great and effective door has been opened here for the Gospel (1 Cor. 16:9).
In Sangeorgiu de Padure Janos Totos is pastor. This church was re-established in 2000, now having 40 members. The new church building is not ready yet, but we have already used it for a baptismal service last year. The leaders of the church are all involved in church planting work in Fantanele, Balauseri, Calimanesti, Bezid and Viforoasa.
In Iernut we built a new chapel during the ministry of pastor Jozsef Elekes. He was replaced later by Miklos Mate, and at the moment Otto Szucs is ministering there, a graduate from our Seminary, who is going to be ordained in the future. The mission work of Iernut has extended to Band also. Otto is living with his family in Iernut, in the newly set up pastor’s house.
Through the grace of God we were able to send to the Seminary five students, and some of them are already in the ministry, while others haven’t graduated yet.
Farewell and arrival
On 27th January in Targu Mures we had the largest baptismal service ever: 20 people were baptized, and about 20 more came forward in the afternoon to dedicate their life to the Lord. This was our farewell service. We had a common meal together, laying the table twice. (There are only 250 seats in the ‘upper room’.)
We are aware that the Lord has given us much increase here during the last years, but ‘there remains very much land yet to be possessed’ in Mures County as well! (Joshua 13:1). Please, pray for the ministers in these new churches!
We arrived in Pericei during the night of 1st – 2nd February. The members of the church welcomed us warmly, at 1 o’clock, after midnight… Then the following week we had evangelistic services each night and the church was full, with about 450 listeners at each service. Several people were convicted of their sins. One of them, Tibor Balla, a man in his fifties, prayed every night, and went to tell his testimony of conversion to his former friends (who, understandably, were not happy about his decision). We rejoice with him in the power of the Gospel, which still convicts sinners and gives new life!
For the induction service on 10th February, about 900 people gathered from the town and different places. From Mures all the pastors and many church members came, and colleagues from the surrounding churches. We were honoured also to have Stan and Barbara Braybrook from Shepshed with us. Many listeners didn’t have a seat, so they had to stand for the whole long service. (The morning service lasted four hours!) At lunch and supper about 1500 people enjoyed the stuffed cabbage at the common table. The whole day was richly blessed by the Lord.
Radio and teaching ministry
The radio ministry is a wonderful tool to take the Gospel to the far unreached houses of the Hungarians in Romania. I continue to edit these programmes: 30 minutes broadcast twice in a month at Radio Cluj (MW), and weekly programmes at Voice of the Gospel Radio (FM). These sermons are used in Brasov, Sibiu and Oradea also, and especially by the extended cassette ministry.
To be fit for the teaching ministry I started my doctoral studies three years ago, hoping to complete my dissertation in June (‘A textual and theological analysis of the texts related to the rule of David – 2 Samuel and 1 Kings 1-2’). My course on Homiletics is going to be printed in February, and hopefully will be a useful tool for all the students, pastors, and all the ministers of the Word. On the cover will be the picture of the statue of Daniel Rowland, the great preacher in the Revival in Wales. I was always fascinated by his dedication and success in the preaching ministry.
Please pray for the faithful preaching of the Word, which has the power to change lives, and make straight deviated practices. Pray for a good integration into this new society and church life. God is able to pour on us again showers of blessings!