Rebuilding a Christian Presence

Hungary, Ukraine and Romania are each unique in their history and their languages; they are also united by a common Hungarian identity and a history that has played havoc with their borders. The Presbyterian Church in Canada has several missions there under the care of Anna and David Pandy-Szekeres and Brian Johnston. In this part of the world, historic events remain vivid and define the people, shaping the work of their churches. I travelled there in September along with Rev. Karen Horst, moderator of the 2015 General Assembly.

It has been less than 25 years since the collapse of communism in the region, and the history of subjugation and fear is still alive in older generations. Conversations with those in their mid-20s are different, with an optimism not indulged in by their parents.

The Hungarian government has been active over the past two decades in reclaiming and restoring churches and schools in Hungary, Ukraine and Romania, which had been repurposed, or simply closed, by the Soviets for half a century. People seemed surprised when we asked if the government’s significant investment in these areas was based on the hope of regaining lost territory. Apparently that is not the motive. It was one more indication of how strong is the bond of language and Christian faith. It may also explain the worry about losing Hungary’s Christian identity, which the Prime Minister raised during the current refugee crisis.

While most Canadians view Ukraine as a country at war, with Russia occupying Crimea and an economy in ruins, what we witnessed was the Reformed Church’s emphasis on schools.

In sub-Carpathian Ukraine, most teachers are members of the Reformed Church and daily devotions are routine. In secondary schools, most students are residential, returning home on weekends. Schools are modest but well maintained, and boast new equipment. The teachers are proud of the quality of their church schools-, which rank high in national statistics. The Reformed Church secondary school of Nagybereg was the first school opened in 1993 after the collapse of the Soviet system. Anna Pandy-Szekeres was its first principal.

The Hungarian government not only provides most of the funds for building restoration but also pays the primary and secondary school teachers’ salaries, minimal as they are.

Work among the Roma communities primarily focuses on nurturing and equipping children to succeed in school and to open doors for them as adults. Kindergartens and help-schools provide food, encouragement, and a learning environment that prepares these youngsters to enter the state schools where classrooms are large and individual attention is limited. We witnessed a silent, staring boy who would not sing nor join in the activity, but snuggled close to the pastor who arrived to greet us. The power of an individual to transform another’s life was undeniable.

The Reformed Church of Romania is divided into two districts, each led by a bishop. Our first destination was Samuel House in the Kiralyhagomellek District. As darkness descended, we drove deep into the countryside to find 34 children under their care. Samuel House provides underprivileged parents with institutional help to raise their children in the Christian-Reformed spirit. Poverty is pervasive in Romania, and it is a huge challenge for many families to provide their children with the basic needs to develop their full potential.

A full-time after-school teacher assists the older children with homework. The director’s husband runs a farm which provides 50 per cent of the food, and is a wonderful opportunity for the kids to connect with the land and learn new skills. It is easy to be sentimental about children, but the innovative vision of this project was a beacon of hope in a region still emerging from a difficult past.

Brian Johnston, PCC mission staff, has been working as an English and music teacher at the United Protestant Seminary, in the Transylvania district of the Reformed Church of Romania. Based in Cluj for over 20 years, Johnston introduced us to the importance of music in church life. A special concert was arranged for the Moderator, preceded by a conversation with current and former seminary students. In spite of rigorous studies (compulsory Latin, Hebrew and Greek!), they sing and make music, expressing enthusiasm about their dreams for the future.

Romania’s ghosts can be seen on street signs, such as: 18 December 1989. This date marks the fall of dictator Nicolae Ceaușsscu after 22 years of a brutal regime. Some confiscated church buildings and schools have been returned by the Romanian government, but Bishop Béla Kató explained that there are worrying threats to the process of restitution. He asked for our prayers and support.

We visited with local pastors, worshipping in their churches and sharing delicious food in their homes. Rev. Tibor Nagy is full of energy, new ideas, and was eager to show the historical museum they have started and their new community space. Rev. Arpad Tordai lives in the village of Aponagyfalu and has dreams of restoring their 400-year-old small church. Both studied at the seminary in Cluj, and have spent time in the U.S. In spite of other opportunities, Tibor and Arpad have chosen to work in small villages of a few hundred people. Their sense of call to these challenging situations was inspiring. They are eager for more contact with Canadian congregations for prayer and learning.

Eastern Europe struggles with its history of oppression, war and economic challenges, coupled with the recent tumultuous events. But it was obvious that many in the churches are heeding Jesus’ call to care for one another and welcome the stranger.