March 12, 2013
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April 27, 2012 – Missions update
It is becoming more difficult for churches to carry out their daily routines in many places in the world. Paul Dickason shares the present political situation in Hungary and how it is affecting some churches there. You will probably not hear this on the news. Martha
Thanks so much for your concern and prayers. This has been a very interesting time.
After lots of confusion, constantly changing reports and information, the government decided to accept about 30 churches and religious organizations. From those who got in and those who didn’t, it’s clear that it was not based on any set of requirements, but was just politically motivated (e.g., knowing a key person in the government). It is very disturbing to see such blatant corruption. But the ruling party doesn’t care, they have absolute power and relish in using (and abusing) it.
Neither CCC nor the 2 churches we planted made the cut, so our official status of church (or religious order) was changed to “association” as of March 1st. This means we cannot use the word “church” on any of our materials (our newer church has the name “Paulus Evangelical Fellowship”, so we’re ok there). More important, though, is the change in finances for us. All of our Hungarian staff now have to pay a lot higher income tax rate (about 75%-100% more). Normally, our staff go to the US in May for about 4 weeks for support raising, but now they are all going in early April for about 10 weeks. This greatly affects our student ministry, as we are seeing a tremendous response to the gospel, and our momentum will be hurt. But God will take care of us – we are trusting in him.
Also affected are ministry costs. For example, if our church has a guest teacher and we take him to lunch, the church (I’m sorry, the association) has to pay 103% tax on the meal. The same is true if we buy snacks for Sunday School, or anything like this. As a church we didn’t have to pay any tax, besides the normal sales tax that everyone pays (about 12% for food items, 27% for other goods). Also, a lot of time and energy is being spent on all the legal and administrative changes that have to be made. Since the new laws were passed so quickly, they were not very clear on how to make the change-over, so there is still a lot of uncertainty on how things should be done. This just adds to the stress level.
While this is not persecution, we feel it is a form of discrimination . There have been a lot of protests, but the government has turned a deaf ear, and really doesn’t care. However, there is talk that next year the government might accept a formal coalition of small evangelical groups as a church. Well… only the Lord knows.
As Americans, we are in a different legal system, and so far we have not been personally affected. Please pray that this will stay true. Thanks.
This is all part of a larger picture of political change in Hungary (which we wrote about in our last prayer letter). Some Hungarians are getting nervous. The Prime Minister, who holds practically absolute power, is named Viktor Orban. Just yesterday I was talking to someone about not forgetting the time change this weekend (we do it 2 weeks after America), and she said, “Yes, unless King Viktor declares it invalid.”
Please keep us in your prayers. We really appreciate all of your support and encouragement
Paul & Lori
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March 20, 2012 – Political situation affects churches
It is becoming more difficult for churches to carry out their daily routines in many places in the world. Paul Dickason shares the present political situation in Hungary and how it is affecting some churches there. You will probably not hear this on the news.
Martha Smallwood
Director of Missions
Pathway Church
Following Jesus. In Community. For Others.
From: Paul Dickason
Thanks so much for your concern and prayers. This has been a very interesting time.
After lots of confusion, constantly changing reports and information, the government decided to accept about 30 churches and religious organizations. From those who got in and those who didn’t, it’s clear that it was not based on any set of requirements, but was just politically motivated (e.g., knowing a key person in the government). It is very disturbing to see such blatant corruption. But the ruling party doesn’t care, they have absolute power and relish in using (and abusing) it.
Neither CCC nor the 2 churches we planted made the cut, so our official status of church (or religious order) was changed to “association” as of March 1st.This means we cannot use the word “church” on any of our materials (our newer church has the name “Paulus Evangelical Fellowship”, so we’re ok there). More important, though, is the change in finances for us. All of our Hungarian staff now have to pay a lot higher income tax rate (about 75%-100% more). Normally, our staff go to the US in May for about 4 weeks for support raising, but now they are all going in early April for about 10 weeks. This greatly affects our student ministry, as we are seeing a tremendous response to the gospel, and our momentum will be hurt. But God will take care of us – we are trusting in him.
Also affected are ministry costs. For example, if our church has a guest teacher and we take him to lunch, the church (I’m sorry, the association) has to pay 103% tax on the meal. The same is true if we buy snacks for Sunday School, or anything like this. As a church we didn’t have to pay any tax, besides the normal sales tax that everyone pays (about 12% for food items, 27% for other goods). Also, a lot of time and energy is being spent on all the legal and administrative changes that have to be made. Since the new laws were passed so quickly, they were not very clear on how to make the change-over, so there is still a lot of uncertainty on how things should be done. This just adds to the stress level.
While this is not persecution, we feel it is a form of discrimination. There have been a lot of protests, but the government has turned a deaf ear, and really doesn’t care. However, there is talk that next year the government might accept a formal coalition of small evangelical groups as a church. Well…only the Lord knows.
As Americans, we are in a different legal system, and so far we have not been personally affected. Please pray that this will stay true. Thanks.
This is all part of a larger picture of political change in Hungary (which we wrote about in our last prayer letter). Some Hungarians are getting nervous. The Prime Minister, who holds practically absolute power, is named Viktor Orban. Just yesterday I was talking to someone about not forgetting the time change this weekend (we do it 2 weeks after America), and she said, “Yes, unless King Viktor declares it invalid.”
Please keep us in your prayers. We really appreciate all of your support and encouragement,
Paul & Lori
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June 28, 2011 – Missions Update
Paul’s ministry is divided into two major areas. The first involves the training of our national staff. We currently have 28 Hungarian workers, 7 of them new. I am responsible for their training in both Bible and practical ministry skills. I also travel to other countries in Eastern Europe, such as Poland, Albania, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Croatia, to teach Biblical courses for national workers. I am also working on his Masters through the Reformed Theological Seminary online.
Most of these Hungarian staff are involved in high school and college movements (called FEK, or Youth at the Threshold of Life in English) of evangelism and discipleship that are very similar to those in the United States. Right now, our student ministry is thriving. We have also entered into a partnership with the Hungarian Reformed Church and the Hungarian Police that is very exciting. You can find more information about our student ministry (in English!) at the following websites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX7-uJzYxmU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D71jlLeTzOc
My second area of ministry involves the two churches that we started. The first one is in Budapest and has been going about 17 years and is fairly self-sufficient. I continue to meet regularly with a few of the leaders for Bible Study and discussion of church issues, and preach occasionally. I spend most of my time with the second church in the suburb of Budapest where we live that is about 5 years old. I am the de-facto assistant pastor and do a lot of preaching, teaching, evangelism, discipleship and leadership training. We have about 50 members, and have a positive high profile throughout the community.
Lori is the Middle School Principal at the International Christian School of Budapest. Its main purpose is to provide schooling for missionary children so that their parents can remain on the field, but the school also draws many students from families who are hearing the gospel for the first time. Our enrollment is currently 225 students and climbing. Last year the Elementary Principal returned to the US, so I (Lori) took on that position as well, and am training one of the teachers for this position next year. I am also in the middle of getting a Masters in School Administration. You can find more information about ICSB at their website: www.icsbudapest.org
Time as Missionaries: We both joined CCC in 1976 and have been serving in Hungary since 1984—27 years!
Long-range prayer points: First of all, that Lori would survive the two jobs that she is doing now (that God would give her extra strength), and that the school would continue to provide quality education for missionary families, and be a witness to the non-Christian students and their families.
That God would truly bless our student movement. It has been steadily growing the last 3 years, and we now have about 180 students involved. We now have 7 new staff who are going through New Staff Training, and we’re praying that they will become reliable ministers of the Gospel (II Tim. 2:2)
That God would protect and pour out his love and grace upon all the churches in Hungary, and especially on the 2 we work in. New church plants tend to have issues as they organize themselves and choose leaders. Ours has already outgrown our building and we need His strength, love and wisdom as we plan for the future. Pray, also, that they would continue to grow and have a positive impact on their communities. Also, the older church is involved in starting 2 new churches, and the newer one is planning on doing this in the next year or so. Please pray that God would greatly bless these efforts.
That God would maintain our financial support over the next few years, as our support team consists of many older people who are retiring or going to be with the Lord.
That we will know how to best spend our time (as we experience new things in our lives):
- with our 3 grown children, who all live in the U.S.,
- with Paul’s aging parents in Philadelphia,
- with our ministries here,
- and with the pursuit of our Masters degrees.
We are so thankful for the prayers, support and encouragement that we have received from you over many, many years. You make it possible for us to be here, and we feel truly blessed.
Paul Dickason