17 March 2013, Budapest, Hungary [Jóhann E. Jóhannsson, tedNEWS] The historical and beautiful city of Budapest, Hungary, showed its best side on a sunny, but crisp Sunday Morning, 17 March, when around 2000 members and friends gathered at a city hall for a full day of celebration and worship. The occasion was the 100th anniversary of the Duna Union, predecessor to the Hungarian Union conference, the visit of Pastor Ted Wilson, President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and his wife Nancy, and the launching of the Great Hope project in Hungary.
“Bringing Hope to every Home“ was the theme for the celebration. The large choir and symphonic orchestra, composed of members of all ages from around the country, led the congregation forcefully in praise and thanksgiving.
At the opening of the program, the symphonic orchestra played a classical masterpiece after which Pastor Tamás Ocsai, President of the Hungarian Union Conference welcomed everyone. Mr Jenö Szigeti, Professor of Church History (HTS), gave a historical overview of the organisation of the Duna Union and of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hungary.
The varied program included spiritual messages, orchestral and choral music, as well as congregational singing of precious hymns, including: “We have this Hope that burns within our heart, Hope in the coming of the Lord”.
In his message, Pastor Bertil Wiklander, President of the Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists, said, “Fearing God is described in the Bible as a special sign of God’s people, citizens of His Kingdom. It is an attitude of loyal honesty to God as Creator and God of the universe.” Reading several passages from the book of Revelation, Pastor Wiklander showed that, in a special way, fearing God characterises the faithful at the end of time, and thus it is included in the calling of Seventh-day Adventists in our ministry to the world on behalf of God.
During his sermon, Pastor Wilson emphasized, “The Seventh-day Adventist Church is God’s last remnant church. Another Church will not be established. God is preparing His people for something very unusual and we are to share with people the love of Jesus in a pleasant way. May you leave this place full of Hope for the future!”
During the lunch break, the Union leadership had organized a banquet for current and former leaders and employees of the Church, as well as special guests. During this time, Mrs Nancy Wilson gave a brief, but important talk about the important balance between work and family: “We need to have our priorities right, God first, then family (spouse and children) and then work”, Mrs Wilson said. “The husband is the head of the home, but the spouse sets the tone of the home. When I am happy and trusting God, no matter the circumstances, it affects the tone of the home”. Mrs Wilson concluded.
During the afternoon program, special guests, also from neighbouring countries from the time when the Duna Union included a larger territory, gave short talks. Between each talk, the orchestra and choir performed special music.
During this time a special meeting with Mr György Hölvényi, Minister of State for Religion, National Minority and Civil Society Affairs and his two associates took place. Present from the Seventh-day Adventist Church were Pastors Ocsai, Wilson, Wiklander, and Jóhann E. Jóhannsson, Treasurer of the Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists.
Pastor Wilson expressed his appreciation on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for what the Hungarian Government does to guarantee religious freedom in Hungary. He also shared a glimpse of the worldwide activities of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with its 17 million members currently present in 210 countries.
Mr Hölvényi said it was the Government’s obligation to provide religious liberty to all citizens. “In Hungary, the Church and State are separate and the intention of the Government is not to exclude any groups from religious activities in the country”, Mr Hölvényi said. He also stressed the importance of the work of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA), which aims to protect he freedom of conscience in the world.
As a conclusion to this meeting, Pastor Wilson shared the thoughts from Mika 6:8: ‘He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God’ and Pastor Wilson and Mr Hölvényi prayed.
Summarising the day: Pastor Ocsai said: “Being a part of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church family is a privilege and it is very good that we can participate in the Great Hope initiative. This is not about what the Church can do, but what the church members can do to bring “Hope to every Home” in Hungary.
The Hungarian Union Conference has 4,700 members in 107 churches.
This visit to Hungary marked the end of the ten-day tour of Pastor Wilson and his wife Nancy to five unions within the Trans-European Division.
Commenting on the General Conference President’s visit, Pastor Wiklander said, “God has blessed his church in five of our unions in the past ten days. The visit of Pastor Wilson and his wife Nancy has brought inspiration and great encouragement to thousands of members across the TED. It has been a joy and privilege for me to accompany and assist them. From magnificent, grand meetings with thousands of visitors in the Netherlands, Serbia and Hungary, to the late Saturday night meeting with a small but joyful congregation in Hajdukovo in Northern Serbia (they waited for us at nearly ten o’ clock in the evening), we have felt truly part of God’s people. Visits to representatives of governments have also proved very fruitful, especially in Poland, Croatia and Hungary. I am deeply grateful to God and to the Wilson’s for their ministry and the way God has blessed all of us.”
Mrs Nancy Wilson shared the following: “I have been blessed beyond measure as I have seen the dedication and commitment of our members here in the TED, many of whom have endured very difficult circumstances in the past. It has also been encouraging so see so many young people playing an active role in their churches. These dear members certainly have the gift of hospitality. We will cherish the memories and our time together.”
Pastor Wilson summarised his impressions from his visit in these words: “What an enormous privilege it has been to visit five unions in the Trans-European Division. It has been exciting to see the vibrant church in so many places as God uses His Church and every member to proclaim the three angels’ messages. It was especially good to see the involvement of young people in the Church. I am grateful to the TED administration for their excellent cooperation and promotion of the great Biblical themes and programs of the worldwide church as we approach Christ’s soon coming. It is a privilege to work together in this great Advent movement.”
From Hungary, Pastor Wilson and his wife Nancy travelled on to the Middle-East Northern Africa Union with their first stop in Cairo, Egypt, where Pastor Wilson spent the early years of his childhood, and then on to Turkey and Lebanon.
To see more photos of Pastor and Mrs Wilson’s visit to Hungary and the other countries on his tour through Trans-European Division, please click here. [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Miroslav Pujic, director; Deana Stojkovic, editor
119 St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3EY, England
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ted-adventist.org
tedNEWS is an information bulletin issued by the communication department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Trans-European Division.
You are free to re-print any portion of the bulletin without need for special permission. However, we kindly request that you identify tedNEWS whenever you publish these materials.
