tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83651368314465595272024-03-14T04:44:15.239+01:00kyle and odi's bloglove God. love others. love Szeged.Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-80265186899331080962017-10-19T20:42:00.003+02:002017-10-20T07:51:58.043+02:00fall 2017 prayer letter<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Dear Friends,</div>
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like always, it’s been too long since we’ve updated you all on all that is going on with us & what is happening at Calvary Szeged. I guess the reason for this is that life is happening. </div>
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As you might know but Odi & I teach English at local schools to supplement out income from our supporting churches. And now that school has started, we’re both super busy with full work loads. In addition to this, I’ve gone back to school to get my masters in Education, so I can secure a long term position at the bilingual High School I work at. I’m taking correspondence courses and it’s a few Fridays & Saturdays a month. It’ll take me 2 years to get my masters, but I think it’ll be worth it.</div>
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In the past, I’ve shared about how scoliosis runs in Odi’s family. It’s something that we began to see in Zara a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, the progression of Zara’s spine has gotten worse. In the last 18 months, it’s gone from about 17-20 degrees to 27-30 degrees. Because of this, we’ve sought out a specialist. God has lead us to the best orthopedic doctor in Hungary who deals with kids with scoliosis, he practices in Pécs, about 200km / 125 miles from Szeged. He said that Zara needs to be in a corset to help correct the curvature of her spine. Today we took Zara to Budapest to the place where they make the best corsets in Hungary and Zara gotta scanned (yes, they scanned her body digitally) and they will make her a corset based on that. We were really, really happy with the lead technician who builds these. Everything Odi has read about him has been great. He was so nice & kind with Zara and with us. Zara is actually kind of bummed that she has to wait for 6 weeks for them to make the corset (which will have horses all over it). He also examined Kiera and we all saw the signs of the curvature in her spine. He told us that in his years of experience, in the younger female sibling, there is a 95% chance of the curvature being worse. So now that means we need to get ahead of this and most likely get Kiera in a night time corset as soon as possible to help slow down the curvature of her spine. What we really liked about this guy was his attitude. He was saying that this isn’t the end of the world. Kids can live a full life with a corset. But I think what really impacted me the most was how he talked about not blaming ourselves for this. And this reminded me of a quote I saw recently which said something to the affect of, “it is what it is, but it will be what you make out of it”. As I write this, I think of friends who have kids suffering with things much worse than this. And I know that, for some reason, God has allowed this to happen with our daughters. While, it is hard, we’re gonna try to not complain but we’re doing to do all that we can to walk with them through this. </div>
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Now some might think that because we live in Europe that this is all covered by the social medical system here. Well, you’d be wrong. For us to see the specialist this year, we had to go to his private practice, for Zara to see a physical therapist more than the prescribed times, it’s all out of pocket. </div>
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So please keep us in pray & prayerfully consider supporting us to offset some of these costs. Information will be provided below. </div>
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We’d really like to make a trip to the States next summer, cause we know it’d be a huge blessing for our family, but right now, it doesn’t seem like it’s gonna happen because of all that’s going on.</div>
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When it comes to the church, I don’t know what to say. Week after week, we’re simply amazed at what God is doing. This month, being the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, I’m preaching a series on the 5 solas of the Reformation. And week after week about church has been full! I mean we’ve got so many people coming (from so many nations) and so many kids we’ve been thinking/praying about what to do. Earlier this month, I asked our landlord if there were any available facilities to rent on the property. He said that a 20 square meter (215 square foot) room just opened up. We jumped at the opportunity, cause we need to have the bigger kids meet in a different space so the little kids can be with their moms in the room connected to the church (which we’re gonna stream the service to) which will open up more space in the sanctuary for about 20 more seats. This new room needs some work but we hope to get it ready in the next couple of weeks. These are the problems that pastors love to talk about & we’re really grateful that the church is growing (new students & people coming after listening to us online & on YouTube).</div>
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We’re also excited about our first men’s ministry meeting this month with one of our partner churches here in Szeged. We hope & pray that this will be the first of many men’s gatherings.</div>
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We’ve also got some things planned for the future but until we know more, we’re just gonna ask for prayer.</div>
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which leads me to ask you to pray for the following things..</div>
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- That God would strengthen our family as we are dealing with scoliosis in our daughters.</div>
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- For strength & wisdom for me (Kyle) as I’m doing my masters</div>
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- God’s provision for us with all the medical expenses we have</div>
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- That Zara (and potentially Kiera) would have a good attitude towards her corset & see it as a good thing. Also that she would understand the importance of physical therapy.</div>
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- That God would provide for CC Szeged as we need to get the new kids room set up.</div>
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support the work here in Szeged </div>
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we’d like to ask you, if you’re reading this to prayerfully consider joining with us in the work of the Kingdom of God here in Szeged but partnering with us financially. </div>
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so if you'd like to join with us you can send your tax deductible donations through either Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa or Calvary Chapel Vista. </div>
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here is the info through Calvary Chapel Vista on their website. you can give here (<a href="http://www.calvaryvista.com/give-2/"><span style="color: #e4af0a;">http://www.calvaryvista.com/give-2/</span></a>) you just need to follow the process and when it asks for the donations put the amount in the "missions" box and in the memo note that it's for "Kyle & Odi Eckhart in Szeged, Hungary". They then will get that to us with our regular monthly support the beginning of each month.</div>
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through Calvary Costa Mesa, you can give here (<a href="https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=9F3RT3FW8ED4E4F3"><span style="color: #e4af0a;">https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=9F3RT3FW8ED4E4F3</span></a>) all you need to do here is go down the scroll down list to my name and the money will be sent to us.</div>
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thank you for prayerfully considering this!</div>
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For Jesus’ sake,</div>
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Kyle, Odi, Zara, Kiera</div>
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Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-86269424485498038602016-01-13T10:55:00.000+01:002016-01-13T10:55:46.272+01:00Golgota Szeged update - 2015/2016 winter<div style="color: #454545; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it’s been way too long and so much has been going on here at Golgota Szeged, so let me ask for a few minutes of your time to share with you all that Jesus has been doing at Golgota Szeged.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ongoing ministry to refugees</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> When the Hungarian government locked down the Southern border with Serbia in the middle of September, the number of refugees coming through Szeged went from a flood to almost nothing. With the stream of refugees began being directed by the Serbian authorities to Croatia (then on through Western Hungary) we thought our role in the refugee crisis was pretty much over. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Little did we know that God had other plans for us. After the borders closed, staff & students traveled to a couple different refugee camps and began ministering to some guys (mainly from Iran and Africa). Because their request for asylum was rejected they were transferred to a small camp about 25km outside of Szeged. It’s basically a holding camp where they wait as they appeal their case. The students and staff came down to this camp in Nagyfa and got us connected with these guys. So over the past couple of months we’ve been doing what we can for them. This entails organizing 2-3 cars every Sunday to get these guys to and from church, as well as buying them groceries and topping off their cell phones with money that was donated for this purpose to Calvary Chapel Bible College Europe. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hanging out with Saman and Peter after church</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> It’s been amazing to get to know some of these guys and hear their stories. A few of the guys fled Iran because of persecution, one brother was taken away by the secret service & beaten multiple times, even being shot in the leg to get info from him about a home church network. A good friend from Calvary Vista, missions pastor Rob Nash, recently help get us some solar audio players as well as “The God Story” DVD’s in Farsi for these guys. It’s a way for them to share the Gospel in the camp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The logistics of helping these guys & getting them to church hasn’t been easy as the members of our church are all busy with jobs & families and we don’t have too many available cars. So please pray for God to strengthen us & provide for us so we can keep serving these guys by getting them to church & helping them to grow in the Word. A few of the guys have been approved for asylum and are planning on attending Calvary Chapel Bible College Europe. </span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Now I know there is a lot of talk in the media & the US presidential debates about the refugee issue, and trust me, as being someone “on the ground”, dealing with these people, and dealing with questions of people in the church about “why are they coming here?” and “are we safe?”, I can tell you that there are no easy answers to the questions that this crisis raises.. So while many people are torn, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and welcoming these guys in our church has caused a couple people to stop coming,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I would simply ask you to pray that the Gospel would change these people as they come to Europe for whatever reason. The fact is that the Gospel is the only thing that can change people, be it us in the West or people from the Middle East, Africa, or wherever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What’s really been cool to see is that the church has been growing recently in size. We’ve seen new people come as well as believers who’ve been hurt in other churches. It’s exciting to see people come, get healed, grow in the Lord, and get plugged into the church. We’ve also been blessed by the new births in our church & the great fellowship that happens at our monthly church lunches.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">dedicating my little buddy, Máté</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Every year we do a Christmas Eve service and when we started doing this about 7-8 years ago I think there were 10-12 people at our first Christmas Eve service. This year the church was absolutely packed with over 70 adults. What made it really exciting is about 20 people who came had never been to our church before. I was so happy that 3 of my students brought their families totally 12 people. This was really good for the church to see that as we shine our lights and as we invite people, they will come. I told the church, if you’re afraid to share the Gospel, just invite people & I’ll do the work of preaching the Gospel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Because we’ve seen some growth over the past 4-6 months, there is an excitement in the church about what God is doing. As a result, we’ve felt that we don’t want to just try to do more but we want to stop and pray & figure out what God is doing and get involved in that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> So we’ve decided to start of this year with a week of prayer. We’re in the middle of it right now & we’re just gathering every night to pray & seek the Lord for our church, city, region, and country. It’s exciting to see people come out and join us in prayer for the city. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The weekend of January 22-24 about 15 women from Golgota Szeged will be attending the Golgota national women’s conference. It’s always an encouraging time for them (pray for the men who will be staying home with the kids!!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Even though there has been a lot of joy in the past months, one “sad” thing has happened. One of our elder, Badri (he’s from India) told me that he got a job in South Korea and will be moving with his family at the beginning of February. Badri came to Hungary about 10 years ago to do research at the University of Szeged Biology Center. A year after he got here, his future wife, Mary came to Hungary and it was almost 7 years ago that I was honored to officiate their wedding. A little over 2 years ago they were blessed with a beautiful little girl. Badri has been ministering to the “internationals” of our church for years and has led the English speaking Cell Group. He’s also been part of the worship ministry playing the djembe. Last year he finished his PhD and has been applying for jobs in Europe. But God is taking them on the next step of their adventure to South Korea. It’s sad to see them go but we know that God is leading them & will continue to use them in South Korea. Seeing someone go like this is a little exciting cause we don’t know what God is going to do next or who He will raise up to take over the things Badri was doing. One thing is sure, God has brought someone to replace Badri in the worship, but other than that we’re open to whatever the Lord has for what’s next for these things at Golgota Szeged.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> we don’t have any plans to visit California in the foreseeable future, mainly because of finances even though it’s been almost 2 years since we’ve been. It’d be refreshing to take a trip sometime so please keep this in prayer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> we both continue to be super busy, raising kids, teaching English, and ministering at church. this is, honestly, a difficult time of life but we're looking to the Lord for strength and wisdom in it. </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">do you want to build a snowman?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">we need to make a big decision soon for Zara. She'll start 1st grade in September and we have to decide which elementary school to send her to. In the next few weeks there will be "open houses" put on by schools and we'll be visiting them to see what is going to be the best fit for her. Please pray for us to have wisdom in this area!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> we rejoice that the last time the doctor examined Zara's </span></span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">scoliosis, he said that he's not going to send her for an x-ray because he sees that her back has improved a little. this in it self is a miracle cause growing up, Odi never heard "it's getting better" only "it's getting worse". Sometimes what is super hard is having Zara do her exercise at home. Please pray that she'd look forward to and like doing her physical therapy at home. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>partner with us</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as always, I’d like to let you know how to partner with us as we seek to build God’s Kingdom here in Szeged & the surrounding region.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> first and most importantly you can join us in prayer. here are some prayer points</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - wisdom, safety, and provision in ministering to the refugees</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - that the relationships in the church would grow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - that we’d continue to be salt & light in Szeged</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - that we’d hear clearly from the Lord about His plans for Szeged & that we’d get involved in that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - for God to raise up more people to serve in different areas of ministry</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - provision for a possible trip to CA in the next 18-24 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">you can also help support the ministry here financially. you can give your tax-deductible offerings through either Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa or Calvary Vista.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> here is the info through Calvary Chapel Vista on their website. you can give by clicking <a href="https://secure-q.net/Donations/CCVista/4673"><b>here</b></a> you just need to follow the process and when it asks for the donations put the amount in the "missions" box and in the memo note that it's for "Kyle & Odi Eckhart in Szeged, Hungary". They then will get that to us with our regular monthly support the beginning of each month.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> through Calvary Costa Mesa, you can give here (<a href="https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH"><span style="color: #e4af09;">https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH</span></a>) all you need to do here is go down the scroll down list to my name and the money will be sent to us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">thank you for taking the time to read & prayerfully considering these things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in, by, and for Jesus,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">kyle, odi, zara, kiera</span></div>
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Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-31881952089361034472015-09-08T23:03:00.000+02:002015-09-08T23:03:34.999+02:00the humanitarian crisis on our doorstep / on the front lines of history<span style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">The international media has picked up recently on the humanitarian crisis that is happening in Hungary. The truth is that the flow of migrants into Europe through Hungary has been happening for months. Recent issues have really put a spotlight on what has been going on here in Hungary.</span><br />
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We've been able to help the past few month by taking humanitarian aid to the refugees after they got processed and dropped off at the Szeged train station. A group of local volunteers has really led the charge in caring for these people on their journey. People from our church & others have been very generous in providing funds for us to give what we can. It's allowed us to be build bridges with the volunteers. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YE1fuQ37TcQ/Ve9LRW_QVZI/AAAAAAAADsw/fq35SiINasI/s1600/IMG_5442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YE1fuQ37TcQ/Ve9LRW_QVZI/AAAAAAAADsw/fq35SiINasI/s320/IMG_5442.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">helping migrants at the train station in Szeged</td></tr>
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Last night I went down to the border where these migrants cross over into Hungary and are held at camps for processing to meet friends from Budapest & Vajta who came to help. They brought blankets & mats for people to sleep on, I loaded my car with food. I wasn't prepared for the situation I encountered. Literally 5 minutes before I arrived, hundreds of migrants broke outed the camp& wanted to start walking to Budapest.they were stopped a few hundred meters down the road at a roundabout when the police locked it down, but about 100-150 did make a run for it and started walking up the M5 to Budapest (170km / 105 miles). The other 400-500 people just sat in this roundabout not wanting to move. I asked the police if I could help being a bilingual pastor & many of these people speak English. They asked if I could help them tell the people they need to go back to the camp to get registered because without papers, according to EU law, they can not travel to Western Europe. The situation was so tense, when I went to talk with people, a couple of policemen escorted me. 5 minutes later they asked me to get on the loudspeaker and tell everyone they need to go back. So I jumped in a police car & explained to everyone why they need to go back. After hearing me, an Arabic man from Sweden who is here to give humanitarian aid, asked if could say in Arabic what I said in English. Thankfully the crowd began to make their way back to the camp.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a heated standoff between migrants & the Hungarian police</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what I encountered last night</td></tr>
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After the situation calmed down, I was able to deliver the food I had to the camp of refugees & a few cases of coca-cola for the police who have been working 18 hour shifts for the last week or so.</div>
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As I left the scene later in the evening, the thought that struck me was, “this is history happening before our eyes”. I believe that in 30-50 years, what is happening now will go down in history as the event that reshaped Europe. I’d be foolish to say if it’s for better or for worse but I do know that this wave of migrants has started and will not stop in the near future, as a matter of fact, the numbers will only continue to increase in the weeks to come. the solution to this problem is way above my pay grade! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the conditions people are living in</td></tr>
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So what are we do to? honestly, I’m torn, I know that in this large number of people who are coming into Europe there are “bad elements” & unfortunately that can’t be stopped. What I do know, is that thousands of people are already here. I’ve been around many of them and they are people from all different walks of life who simply want to escape the horrible conditions in their homelands and make a better life for their families. can you blame them? most immigrants who went to America went with the same intentions! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's hard to see but the path on the right is how people are entering Hungary</td></tr>
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Here is what I propose, why don’t we treat these people with the dignity and respect that they deserve as image bearers of God? I understand that they come from a different culture than us in the West & I understand that they’ve been taught to hate the “Great Satan” of the West, but what if we, people who claim to follow Jesus, reach out to them as Jesus would? Would Jesus care for immigrants? Would Jesus give food, drink, and a blanket to His enemies? Absolutely, Jesus even died on the Cross for His enemies. </div>
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So even though I have conflicting thoughts on the issue, I’m going to have to go with what Jesus says, “whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42). </div>
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So as long as the Lord provides us the supplies, we will continue to do what we can to minister to these migrants coming into Europe at our doorstep. </div>
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this being the case, I’d like to ask you 2 things…</div>
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<li>pray for us & pray for this whole situation</li>
<li>prayerfully consider supporting this work toward the refugees financially.</li>
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If you’d like to donate funds to this ministry, please contact me at kyleodi@gmail.com and we can work out the best way for you to get the funds to us so we can get aid to those in need as soon as possible.</div>
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Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-66160105758634464862015-07-25T00:02:00.000+02:002015-07-25T00:02:00.591+02:00doing church differently<div style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">
this last Wednesday we did something we’ve never done before. We took our Wednesday night service to the streets of Szeged. The main reasons for this is the current immigration crisis that is happening at our doorstep, as between 800-1300 refugees cross the border at Szeged every day (20% of which are young kids). Golgota Szeged has, over the past few weeks, has given generously so that we can provide some humanitarian aid to these refugees. </div>
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because of this crisis, I invited the “A Vision For Life” team (http://avisionforlife.com)</div>
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from Vajta to come minister to the refugees with us. The team that came was about 65 people. That amount of people would simply overwhelm the refugees and the volunteers at the Szeged train station. So we decided to divide their team and our church members into 3 groups. </div>
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I led group #1 at the train station as we talked with and delivered humanitarian aid to the refugees. The other groups were led by guys from our church. Balázs led about 20 people in a prayer walk around Szeged, and Norbi lead a group of about 20 as they shared the good news of Jesus on the streets of Szeged. It was an amazing evening for all 3 groups.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a group of refugees just arrives at the Szeged train station after being processed by the police</td></tr>
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What I experienced at the train station, talking with many of the refugees (about 200 showed up in the 4 hours that we were there), was very insightful. I talked with people from Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, among others. most of these people have been walking for months, fleeing their country. I talked to one young man from Afghanistan, who left last year on July 29th and is hoping to make it to Germany or England to make a better life for himself. Another man I talked to from Bangladesh, fled months ago, because he is a Hindu and is fleeing from the attacks of radical Islamic forces. But the highlight of my evening was talking with a woman and her 2 sons from Syria. After I noticed that she was wearing a cross bracelet, I asked if she was a Christian. She said yes, and when I asked her story, she said she left Syria with her boys (14 & 10) because of the fighting in Syria & the persecution against Christians. Turns out her Dad was a pastor in Damascus and my friend Andi & I prayed for her and her children right before they boarded the train. She was very, very thankful. I also spoke with young men from Syria who fled because they did not want to fight and all they wanted is peace. Many of them left at the behest of their families. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me, Tibor (CC Csantavér, Serbia), and Jeremy (AVFL pastor)</td></tr>
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There are some things I took away from being at the train station…</div>
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#1. All people, regardless of race, nationality, or religion are image bearers of God and are to be shown honor, dignity an value (this is the message that I told a French news reporter when he interviewed me Wednesday night).</div>
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#2. giving someone a cup of cold water (or in this case humanitarian aid - bottled water, tooth paste, hygiene products, etc.) is not only pleasing in the eyes of God but an amazing blessing to those in need.</div>
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#3. there is real evil in the world and it needs to be stopped. If there were peace in the homelands of these people they would never have left on this journey of thousands of miles to try to make a better life for themselves. </div>
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#4. there seems to be no end in sight to this wave of refugees fleeing into Hungary. Praise God, a lot of money has been provided (by Golgota Szeged & the AVFL team) so that we can continue to take aid to the volunteer group helping the refugees for weeks to come. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a group of refugees arrives around 11pm</td></tr>
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If you read this, would you please pray that the Gospel would reach those people (mainly muslims) who are fleeing their homelands and coming to Europe. Some people say that this is all in the plan of Islam to reconquer Europe. My impression is that this is not the case. Thousands are crossing into Europe daily, via Szeged, hoping for a better life. That “better life” is found in Jesus and now is the time for the Christians in Europe to see these refugees not as enemies or threats but as people who so desperately need the Gospel. And maybe, just maybe, the first step in showing them the love of Jesus is giving them a bottle of water after journeying for months on foot in conditions that we couldn’t even imagine?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a heartfelt message at the train station</td></tr>
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Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-660035924393644372015-07-01T23:12:00.003+02:002015-07-01T23:12:32.946+02:00the humanitarian crisis in Szeged<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
the humanitarian crisis in Szeged</div>
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with all the has been going on in the world (the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage in the US, establishment of an Embassy in Cuba, Greece defaulting on it’s loan payment to the European Central Bank / IMF) not much, if any attention has been given to the growing humanitarian crisis happening here in Szeged.</div>
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For weeks now, refugees have been fleeing Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and making their way to Europe. For the first time in the 16 years I’ve lived in Szeged, these refugees have been flooding into Europe through Szeged like never before. A friend of mine, who is a policeman, told me that 52,000 people entered Hungary illegally last year seeking refugee status. Because of the situation in the Middle East the flood gates have opened and thousands of people everyday are crossing the border from Serbia into Hungary in the hopes of obtaining refugee status in the EU. </div>
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Szeged does not have any refugee camps, so when people get here they find their way to the train station and board trains to the refugee camps in places like Debrecen (where some of refugees are coming to know Jesus). These refugees arrive in Szeged completely exhausted from traveling thousands of miles on foot and squeezed in inhumane conditions in cars & vans. A group of people started to meet these refugees at the train station to offer them help, food, water, hygiene products, etc. This small volunteer movement has caught fire and has been highlighted in the Hungarian news. </div>
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On the news today, I heard an interview with a sociologist who talked to some of these refugees. One thing they told him was that the way they were treated here in Szeged was the first time in a long time that someone treated them as people, not as cash cows.</div>
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As this situation has been unfolding, I’ve felt that it’s our Christian duty to help these people who are the foreigners & outcasts of society. Jesus taught us is Matthew 25, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(128, 128, 128); color: grey; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><b> </b></span>Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(128, 128, 128); color: grey; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><b> </b></span>And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(128, 128, 128); color: grey; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><b> </b></span>And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(128, 128, 128); color: grey; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><b> </b></span>And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(128, 128, 128); color: grey;"><i> </i></span>you did it to me.’”</div>
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Tonight, after church, we took our first carload of humanitarian aid to these refugees. While at the train station, we asked if we could talk with one of the organizers. Fortunately, we were able to talk with a very kind woman. I told her that I’m a pastor of a church and we, and other churches, want to help. She said, that during the night, there has recently been tension among the refugees. And she said it would be great to have a pastor there to help deal with the spiritual issues of the refugees. So in the coming days / weeks, as I can I will be out at the train station ministering to refugees. As a church, we are doing what we can to add supplies to help those in need. A heat wave will hit Hungary this weekend, so we’re going to be buying lots of water to keep people hydrated. </div>
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I know that we might not ever see these people again, but that isn’t the point, the point is we must obey Jesus and care for those who are in need. So, I’m excited about what the Lord is going to do through Golgota Szeged, and though the other churches in Szeged, as we seek to just minister to Jesus as we minister to the refugees.</div>
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Please pray for us, for Golgota Szeged & all the churches in Szeged, as we seek to minister the love of Jesus to people who are in such dire need.</div>
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thanks!</div>
Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-37699781215496520402015-05-25T09:59:00.001+02:002015-05-25T09:59:32.207+02:002015 spring church and family update<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Today is Pentecost, which is a holiday here in Hungary, and because that means I have some free time, I’d like to let you know about what’s going on here in Szeged.</span></div>
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Church stuff</div>
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the church is doing well. We seem to be in a season of weddings and births. I’ve already officiated one wedding this month with another this Saturday. One family welcomed their 3rd child in September and a couple that just got married last August, will welcome their 1st child this September. Things like this bring joy to our hearts and we wanted to share these with you.</div>
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Though we have joy in these, it also makes us keenly aware of the singles in our church and those who are struggling with infertility. Please join with us in prayer for them.</div>
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Last year the college chaplain of one of the Reformed churches here in Szeged, had the idea to have a Christian festival here in Szeged similar to festivals he and others have taken part of in different parts of Western Europe. Szeged is known for it’s many festivals throughout the year and this year in September will be what is called the “tágás tér festival” (it means “wide open square” festival). This will be an interdenominational Christian festival with concerts, four discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and sporting events. Because the Catholic church still considers us a cult their leadership has insisted we not be named on any promotional materials and really didn’t want Golgota Szeged involved but our friends at the Reformed & Baptist churches have pushed to make sure we're involved cause they believe that Golgota Szeged will be a valuable member in this venture of faith. </div>
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on our part, we’re looking at planning a charity run during this 3 day festival to support the pediatric ICU. The reasoning behind this is that people here in Szeged aren’t really interested in the church & a charity run around the event will draw people that might not come to a Christian festival and if they come hopefully they will stay and see some of the other events / booths. Also the pediatric ICU is always in need of money to care for kids. This will take a lot of planning on our part but we believe it'd be great for us to show our love for Szeged in a tangible way. Pray for open doors & open hearts as we plan the charity run and that people would come and hear the Gospel during this festival.</div>
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Personal stuff</div>
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Life has been extremely busy for us, as both Odi and I are teaching at local schools. Being bi-vocational has been difficult but good. We’re really looking forward to the summer break to catch our breath a little! :-) </div>
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we’re also looking forward to moving into our new house next month. The building process has been very trying and we will be so happy to finally be moved in and enjoy our new house.</div>
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I was hoping to make it to California at the beginning of July for the Calvary Chapel Senior Pastors Conference but it’s just not going to work out this year. the finances just aren’t there for me to make the trip this year. maybe next year we can go as a family to California. </div>
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the girls are doing well. We continue to take Zara to physical therapy for her back and a couple months ago, Kiera got glasses because one of her eyes is crossed. Life is full of challenges, as you all know. </div>
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prayer points</div>
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- for God’s blessing and provision upon our family</div>
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- for wisdom in dealing with the kids health issues</div>
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- for God’s blessing and anointing as I speak at different churches / events</div>
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- for God’s blessing upon Calvary Szeged and for church growth.</div>
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- for fresh vision for the church.</div>
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- for a fresh outpouring of God's Spirit upon us and the church</div>
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blessings,</div>
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kyle, odi, zara, kiera</div>
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here is the info through Calvary Chapel Vista on their website. you can give here (<a href="http://www.calvaryvista.com/give-2/"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #042eee;">http://www.calvaryvista.com/give-2/</span></a>) you just need to follow the process and when it asks for the donations put the amount in the "missions" box and in the memo note that it's for "Kyle & Odi Eckhart in Szeged, Hungary". They then will get that to us with our regular monthly support the beginning of each month.</div>
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through Calvary Costa Mesa, you can give here (<a href="https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #042eee;">https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH</span></a>) all you need to do here is go down the scroll down list to my name and the money will be sent to us.</div>
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thank you for prayerfully considering this!</div>
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Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-57259069669816976102015-02-18T09:30:00.003+01:002015-02-19T21:12:29.438+01:00winter 2015 family & church update<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><b><i>Church stuff</i></b></span></div>
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as I sit down to write this newsletter I realize that it was 20 years ago this week that I was making my final preparations to move to Baja, Hungary for 1 year to help at the church there. by the grace of God, that 1 year has now turned into 20 as February 21st marks 20 years of me living & serving Jesus here in Hungary. I am truly amazed and humbled that God allows me to do what I do. I am truly thankful to God & to all of you who have over the years partnered with me through prayer & financial support so that I can be part of what Jesus is doing here in Hungary.</div>
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since it’s been a few months since we’ve written, let us share with you what’s been going on with us & in the life of Calvary Chapel Szeged</div>
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Once again the members of our church prepared Christmas packages to take to 2 gypsy villages in Romania. This is something that we've been doing for a few years now & we are blessed that we know where the gifts are going. </div>
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Last September we changed up the format of our mid-week Bible study. It was on Wednesday nights that I taught through the Bible. Now that I've taught through the Bible, we felt the Lord leading us to make some changes. Not to fear, we are still teaching the Bible but we're teaching in a rotation. Right now there are 4 of us in the rotation. This has eased the burden on me, as I'm teaching English at a bilingual high school and it allows me to focus more on our Sunday service. We are currently teaching through the life of David. What we've also done is set apart the 3rd Wednesday night of the month for worship, prayer, and communion. We've seen God bless the changes He has led us in.</div>
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The Lord has given me a lot of opportunities to teach in the past & I have a lot in the future. Since April I've been helping, advising, and teaching on a monthly basis at a new independent church plant in a city called Orosháza, which is about 60km from Szeged. The leader of this church & his wife really love Calvary & have reached out to me being the closest Calvary to them. I blessed to be part of what God is doing in this new church plant. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">teaching at the new church plant in Orosháza</td></tr>
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As I've mentioned in the past, we've got a really good relationship with the Szeged Baptist church. The youth group regularly invites me to teach there, which is always a great joy for me. Once again they've asked me to speak at the national youth conference that they are organizing here in Szeged in March. I'll be speaking about what it means to be a "digitally active" Christian. </div>
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To my great surprise, I've been invited to speak at the Calvary Chapel Scandinavia conference outside of Stockholm, Sweden at the end of July. I'm humbled by the honor to go & teach and see what God is doing in Scandinavia. Turns out the Finnish wife of the organizer used to be a part of our church about 13-14 years ago. </div>
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Odi continues to lead worship on Sunday mornings and meets regularly with our worship teams to practice & learn new songs. </div>
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<b><i>family stuff</i></b></div>
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it’s been a hard couple of months for us as a family. Odi’s grandmother, who many of you knew, passed on to Heaven in December. This marked the 3rd hard Christmas for us. We rejoice knowing that Mami is in the presence of the Lord and with those who have gone on before in faith. </div>
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Right before Christmas Zara came down with the chicken pox and that began a 6 week period where at least one of us were sick. We’re all better now, but it wasn’t fun being sick for so long.</div>
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As we shared back in October, Zara has a curvature in her spine, like Odi. According to the x-Ray, her curvature is already 20 degrees. At this point the doctor has recommended swimming & physical therapy. Zara is going swimming twice a week with her kindergarten class & we are taking her to physical therapy twice a week. We are trying to do physical therapy with her at home at least 4-5 times a week but it's hard to motivate Zara to do the exercises. Please pray that she would continue to have a good attitude about doing her daily exercise.</div>
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Kiera is starting to show signs of having a curved spine so we are starting to do the physical therapy with her as well. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k2HsJSUHZR8/VORNjodIKbI/AAAAAAAADjw/kJpPjQ8OLOo/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k2HsJSUHZR8/VORNjodIKbI/AAAAAAAADjw/kJpPjQ8OLOo/s1600/kids.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zara & Kiera dressed up for the Farsang (Carnival) event at kindergarten</td></tr>
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One thing we both know is that we want to avoid putting our kids through the “traditional” forms of treatment for scoliosis. Odi had a brace growing up and it wasn’t helpful at all. Both the orthopedic doctor & the physical therapist support our decision cause they know that movement is more important that a brace. </div>
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God has given both Odi & I opportunities to teach English to help make up what we are lacking in terms of financial support. Odi is teaching at an elementary school & I'm teaching at a bilingual high school. We're thankful that God is providing for us this way & that we have many opportunities to share with co-workers & students. We know that God has us in these schools for a reason!</div>
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<i><b>a request</b></i></div>
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I’d like to share a request with everyone. I’ve been in Hungary for 20 years & the senior pastor of Calvary Szeged for 15. Every year I get the invite to the Calvary Chapel senior pastors conference in California. This year the conference is July 6-9. I’ve never been able to go but I would really, really like to go, be encouraged & connect with many of the pastors in the Calvary movement. A plane ticket for me to go to the conference is $1500. Would you pray about helping make it possible for me to make it out to the conference this year? if you would like to make a financial donation to help make this happen you can follow one of the 2 links below. thank you so much!!</div>
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<b><i>prayer points</i></b></div>
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- for God’s blessing & provision upon our family</div>
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- for wisdom in dealing with the kids health issues</div>
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- for God’s blessing & anointing as I speak at different churches / events</div>
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- for God’s blessing upon Calvary Szeged</div>
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- that God would continue to use us & Calvary Szeged as lights in this wonderful city</div>
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- for God’s provision for me to make it to the senior pastors conference in CA this year.</div>
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<i><b>support the work</b></i></div>
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if you'd like to support the work we're doing here at Calvary Szeged you can do so by sending your tax deductible donates through either Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa or Calvary Chapel Vista</div>
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here is the info through Calvary Chapel Vista on their website. you can give here (<a href="http://www.calvaryvista.com/give-2/"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #042eee;">http://www.calvaryvista.com/give-2/</span></a>) you just need to follow the process and when it asks for the donations put the amount in the "missions" box and in the memo note that it's for "Kyle & Odi Eckhart in Szeged, Hungary". They then will get that to us with our regular monthly support the beginning of each month.</div>
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through Calvary Costa Mesa, you can give here (<a href="https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #042eee;">https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH</span></a>) all you need to do here is go down the scroll down list to my name and the money will be sent to us.</div>
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thank you for prayerfully considering this!</div>
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blessings,</div>
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kyle, odi, zara, kiera</div>
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Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-18766495252272892292014-12-28T22:55:00.000+01:002014-12-28T22:55:12.079+01:00a great joy at church today<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">today was a joyous day at church. Gábor Gulyás taught the our Sunday morning service. Gábor became a Christian at our church about 10 years ago. He came to church through a girl, Anna, who, in 2008, would become his wife. Because of a job opportunity he moved to the north eastern region of Hungary many years ago. At the time we weren't happy to see Gábor leave but little did we know that God had a great plan when Gábor left. Since Gábor left Szeged he has become the pastor of Golgota Nyíregyháza. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gábor is just one of the many who have come through Golgota Szeged in the last 14 1/2 years that I've pastored this church. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is the 2nd guy who has gone out from our church to become a pastor of a Golgota church here in Hungary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> He, along with countless others, who have come & gone at Golgota Szeged, are my crown & joy as Paul talked about in Philippians 4, because I know that so many are serving Jesus all over the world after their time here in Szeged.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> He taught a wonderful message this morning from Mark 5 about the woman who had a flow of blood from 12 years but how Jesus made her whole, please take 45 minutes to listen to this great message.</span><br />
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<br />Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-55813009651622823872014-10-14T20:08:00.000+02:002014-10-14T20:08:09.613+02:00thrown for a curve<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as everyone knows, life doesn't always work out the way we want. In times like this we say that "life has thrown us for a curve". Well, life has thrown our family for a curve. As many of you might know, Odi has scoliosis. It's something that runs in her family. Her father has it, as do her siblings. Though many people say that Zara and Kiera look like me, I'm glad they've inherited their Mom's beauty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I'm very happy for that, we've always hoped that this is curvature of the spine is the one gene that our kids wouldn't inherit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">unfortunately, this is not the case. In late August, Odi showed me a difference in the symmetry of Zara's back. We called our pediatrician and were referred to a specialist. Tonight, I took the girls to see the specialist. He confirmed what we saw, that Zara does have a curvature in her spine. It's similar to the curvature in Odi's (upper spine). Since we were there, I asked the doctor to look at Kiera. He said that she has some curvature in her lower spine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">even though we were expecting this, it still weighs heavy on our hearts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">so what now? the doctor wants to do an x-ray on Zara to confirm the degree of the curvature in her spine. After that, he will prescribe physical therapy & swimming therapy for her. With Kiera it's a little more unclear outside of physical therapy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we'd like to ask you, if you're reading this, to pray for us, but especially for Zara & Kiera. Please pray that God would give us wisdom moving forward with treatment for our kids and that God would heal them of this, if that is His will. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">thank you for joining with us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">kyle & odi</span><br />
<br />Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-6865450473239289742014-10-05T19:55:00.000+02:002014-10-05T19:55:18.497+02:00a word to our sponsors <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">you've probably heard the phrase "now a word from our sponsors" during a tv event. We have something a little different, we have a word to our sponsors. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as you know we are a missionary family serving God & His people here in Szeged, Hungary. In large part, we are able to do what we do because of the support of churches in America and individuals. One of the churches that supports us, Calvary Chapel Vista, has recently changed over to a new online giving system. If you received an email from them then you've got nothing to worry about. But, if you haven't received an email form them then please go to this link to make sure everything is set up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <a href="https://secure-q.net/MyProfile/Add/CCVista" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://secure-q.net/<wbr></wbr>MyProfile/Add/CCVista</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> If you didn't get an email, then I'd like to ask you to consider trying this link and supporting us and the work that the Lord is doing here in Szeged. God is doing great things in this part of the world & your support helps!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> love & blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> kyle & odi</span></div>
Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-79023701423346807642014-08-22T20:49:00.001+02:002014-08-22T21:08:07.200+02:00als ice bucket challenge <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">this last week I unexpectedly saw my name tagged in a post on Facebook by my long-time friend Jeremy Foster. Turns out he was challenged to take the ALS ice bucket challenge. I had seen this thing go viral but really didn't pay any attention to it until I was called out. After looking into this, I accepted Jeremy's challenge. now, according to the rules of the challenge, I did make a donation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">since then, I've seen quite a few Christians who've been posting blogs & articles about why they won't participate in this because the ALS Association supports embryonic stem cell research. This has outraged Christians & pro-life groups. After looking into this a little more and reading about how a Catholic diocese discourages participation, a spokesperson for the ALS confirmed that the ALS does </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">fund one study involving embryonic stem cells using money from one specific donor.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Read more: <a href="http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/08/roman-catholic-diocese-in-ohio-discourages-als-ice-bucket-challenge-106325.html#ixzz3B9DZBzOE" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #003399; text-decoration: none;">http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/08/roman-catholic-diocese-in-ohio-discourages-als-ice-bucket-challenge-106325.html#ixzz3B9DZBzOE</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">this leads me to my next question. If Christians are so enraged at this, then shouldn't people be giving back their iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and stop watching Disney movies & visiting Disney parks because of their support of the homosexual community? Shouldn't people stop buying things that are produced in parts of the world where child labor is used & the Communist party rules? Or are well all content to over look these things cause they're far from home?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">so my conclusion is this, I can't change the research that companies do that I don't agree with, but I can stand by those who are suffering. I can't change the policies of those companies or governments that I don't agree with, but I'm willing to use these products if they enable me & my family to live a better life and help us spread the Gospel. I'm going to continue to visit Disneyland as long as I live cause I think it's simply awesome & one of the highlights of my life was taking my kids there earlier this year. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">these are my thoughts. Feel free to disagree & share with me why!</span></span></div>
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Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-80514845695719647722014-07-01T17:44:00.002+02:002014-07-01T17:44:32.426+02:00Summer 2014 update<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we've been back from California for a few months now and a lot has happened. Let us give you a brief update on life and ministry here in Szeged.</span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">church news</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we really hit the ground running because as soon as we got back we we quickly approaching Easter and the city-wide, multi-church "Easter in the Park" service. We were doing all we can to get the word out and get churches involved. We advertised on Facebook and Szeged's local radio station ran radio spots every hour in the week leading up to Easter. The weather the week before Easter was chilly and rainy. The forecast called for showers on Easter Sunday. So much so that I said if it's raining at 1pm we will cancel the event. God was very gracious to us the temperature was nice and mild and we had no rain that day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> In total we had 9 churches participate in the Easter in the Park event and a few hundred people showed up for the event. It might not seem like a lot but we were very encouraged to see many Christians come and also many non-Christians. We estimate that there were about 200 Christians and about 100 non-Christians at this event. We rejoice that the Gospel was preached & the body of Christ in Szeged was encouraged. We also look forward to what Jesus is going to do in this city as His people come together as His church to be about His work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma_E07XTxLU/U7LCxyvr82I/AAAAAAAADc4/sQvtdI7YuOA/s1600/_3488833214.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">myself & some of the other pastors involved in the Easter in the Park service</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a picture of our multi-church worship team (4 churches represented here)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sqtp4PBC-Hk/U7LEM0K1MCI/AAAAAAAADdU/8Ja0v56pIJY/s1600/_0202472147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sqtp4PBC-Hk/U7LEM0K1MCI/AAAAAAAADdU/8Ja0v56pIJY/s1600/_0202472147.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">preaching about the death & resurrection of Jesus</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we walked away from the event rejoicing that Jesus made it happened & we also learned a lot about what we want to do next year. For a first time, we believe it was a great success.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> a few of the churches that participated in the Easter in the Park followed up by having a Pentecost Picnic in Pentecost Sunday. It was wonderful time of hanging out and getting to know each other better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> some of the leaders of Golgota Szeged were blessed to attend the annual calvary chapel leadership conference in vajta last month. We were greatly blessed and encouraged by the fellowship and the teachings of Pastors Brian Brodersen (Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa) & David Guzik (Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> by the end of this month, we will reach a real milestone at Golgota Szeged. One of the hallmarks of Calvary Chapel is our chapter by chapter teaching through the Bible. It's been 14 years in the making but by the end of the month we will complete our first journey though the Bible. It will be the first complete teaching through the Bible in Hungarian & English that we know of and it's completely free through our website. We know that God has used our through the Bible teaching to reach Hungarian speakers as far away as Canada and Sweden. Now that we're coming to a completion of teaching through the Bible the thought has gone through my head of "what now?" Well, it seems that the Lord is leading us to make some changes in our Wednesday night service. We are going to dedicate one Wednesday a month to prayer, worship, and communion. We just want to have a time where we are open to the moving of the Spirit amongst us. During the other weeks we will start a teaching rotation which will include me and some of the other elders and teachers in the church. We will pray about and pick a book of the Bible to teach together. I think this will be a great opportunity for others to grow in their gifts and it will also allow me more time to focus on the Sunday message. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> our cell groups are on break now but we're looking forward to relaunching them in September when school starts up. We always have a new influx of students at the end of August / beginning of September so we want to try to get as many people plugged into the cell groups as possible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in the fall we might have the opportunity to host a couple of outreach groups. Should these opportunities pan out then we look forward to going into schools for conversational English classes. </span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">family news</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">probably the biggest news on the family front was that I (Kyle) became a Hungarian citizen on May 8th. I am now a dual-citizen. Last year the Hungarian government changed the law & I was able to apply on the basis of marriage. I felt it was something I wanted to do since I've lived half my life in Hungary. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> since 2009 Odi has been on maternity leave & has been at home with the kids. (Maternity leave in Hungary is 3 years - YES 3 years!!!!) When Kiera turns 3 in August, Odi's maternity leave will be over. This last year the amount of money she has received has dropped 50% from the previous year (the 1st two years are about 70% or your salary & the last year is a fixed $130 for everyone). With this ending we're going to have to make a decision about the future. Should Odi look for a job or not? (right now we are both teaching private English to private students - another option would be taking on more students??)) We'd like if she could stay at home & focus on family, the kids, and the worship ministry but a lot of that depends on finances. One of our hopes in CA was to raise some support to make this possible. As of today, we haven't seen an increase in our support that would allow this to be possible so </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we’d like to ask you, if you’re reading this to prayerfully consider joining with us in the work of the Kingdom of God here in Szeged but partnering with us financially. We’re looking to raise more money which will enable me to continue to travel to encourage other pastors, as well as invest in the work of the Kingdom of God here in Szeged. It will also enable Odi to spend more time focusing on being the main worship leader at Golgota Szeged so she can translate new songs into Hungarian for the benefit of the body of Christ not just in Szeged but all over Hungary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">so if you'd like to join with us you can send your tax deductible donations through either Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa or Calvary Chapel Vista. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> here is the info through Calvary Chapel Vista on their website. you can give here (<a href="http://www.calvaryvista.com/give-2/"><span class="s1">http://www.calvaryvista.com/give-2/</span></a>) you just need to follow the process and when it asks for the donations put the amount in the "missions" box and in the memo note that it's for "Kyle & Odi Eckhart in Szeged, Hungary". They then will get that to us with our regular monthly support the beginning of each month.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> through Calvary Costa Mesa, you can give here (<a href="https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH"><span class="s1">https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH</span></a>) all you need to do here is go down the scroll down list to my name and the money will be sent to us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">thank you for prayerfully considering this!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>praise reports</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we’re thankful to God for the amazing Easter in the Park service we had & the participation of 9 churches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we praise God for a continued commitment by the churches in Szeged to work together for the Kingdom of God</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we praise God that many are able to download the messages taught at Golgota Szeged via our website and that our reach goes far beyond our walls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for the encouragement that our leadership team received at the annual leadership conference</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>prayer requests</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for a fresh outpouring of God's Spirit upon Golgota Szeged</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for more people to know Jesus in Szeged</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for God’s provision for us and for the church here in Szeged</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for more open doors to minister to people in the name of Jesus here in Szeged</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that we'd have more people join the cell groups for the fall semester</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">much love in Jesus,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">kyle, odi, zara, kiera</span></div>
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Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-79515650166098345282014-03-30T20:06:00.002+02:002014-03-30T20:06:33.139+02:002014 spring update<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Friends,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I’ve just realized that it has been about 6 months since we’ve given you all an update on what is happening here in Szeged. Please let us take a few minutes of your time to let you know what’s going on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>family news</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as we ended 2013 we weren’t really looking forward to Christmas as this would be the first Christmas without Odi’s little sister Emi. What we didn’t know is that last Christmas would be even less joyful as my Dad passed away on December 23rd. Though he had COPD and had health issues, his passing came as a sudden shock to our family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as many of you know, we brought my Dad over to Hungary in the fall of 2010 to live near us after a lot of difficult things happened in his life. though he really never liked living here, he did enjoy being close to us and his grandkids. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to honor his life, and the fact that near the end of his life he opened his heart to Jesus, we had a memorial service for him here in Szeged at the end of January. My Dad always said that he wanted to be cremated and to have his ashes spread in the Pacific Ocean. So after my Dad went to be with the Lord, I began looking at how we could fulfill his wish. There are many companies that preform ash scattering services but they aren’t cheap. After much research I found out that because my Dad was a veteran (he served in Vietnam) he was entitled to burial in any military cemetery or that the US Navy or US Coast Guard would preform a burial at sea free of charge. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">with that knowledge we planned a trip to CA. This would be the first time in 4 years that we had gone to California as a family. Needless to say with a 2 year old & a 4 year old we were expecting an adventure but to be honest, things, especially the plane trips, went much better than we expected. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we spend 5 1/2 weeks in California and had such a great time. The time we were able to spend reconnecting with friends & family was so very precious to us. We regret that we weren’t able to see more of you because even though 5 1/2 weeks sounds like a long time, it really flew by. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we are thankful that we were able to fulfill my Dad’s wish in regards to his burial, and that we were able to reconnect with so many friend & family after so many years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>church news</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> while we were gone, we really didn’t worry about the church here in Szeged a whole lot, simply because of the wonderful people that God has raised up in the church to do the work of the ministry in our absence. We were so blessed that the elders of the church & other men in the church were preaching and teaching while we were gone. We’re also thankful to our friends from other churches here in Szeged & the surrounding area who came to serve Golgota Szeged in teaching the Word of God.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at LAX on the way back to Hungary</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we got back to Szeged this last Friday and on Saturday I was blessed to speak at a national Baptist youth conference. The topic they gave me was how to react when someone hurts you. I was blessed to talk to about 100 kids about how to ask for forgiveness when they hurt someone and also how to extent forgiveness when they are hurt. I was so blessed to be able to talk to these kids from all over Hungary about this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> One great thing that happened when we were gone was a worship conference at our church. The conference was organized by a friend who is the assistant pastor of the Pentecostal church in Szeged. Andy is from Bristol, England and has been living outside of Szeged for a good few years now with his wife. Because Andy is a musician & worship leader, his desire was to invite people from his church in Bristol to come encourage the larger body of Christ in Szeged in the area of worship. A small team came over at the beginning of March from England for this conference. It was organized by Andy but it was held in our church building. About 60 people attended the conference and all were encouraged in the worship of Jesus. We rejoice in the fact that many churches participated in this event as it was great to see the unity of the larger body of Christ here in Szeged. It’s our hope that this will be the first of many worship conferences in our region. This was really a test run. Next time we want to expand the sphere of this to churches within a 100km (60 mile) radius. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> This worship conference was really the first step in seeing the churches of Szeged work together for the kingdom of God. The next step is happening very quickly. It’s been my desire for a couple of years now to get all the Protestant churches of Szeged together for a large Easter celebration. Last year, Easter fell early so nothing came of it, but this year Easter falls on April 20th, which is usually a good time in Hungary weather wise. My desire was to hold this Easter celebration in an open air theater in a park here in town. Before we went to California I asked a friend of mine who is involved in the media here in Szeged who I need to talk to about this. He loved the idea of what we want to do and has helped us percure the open air theater free of charge. So in the coming weeks I’ll be busy planning & promoting this city wide Easter celebration. We are praying that God would fill all 1,000 seats with people to hear the Gospel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the meantime we continue to rejoice at what God is doing through the English club that was started as a result of an outreach group that came from Calvary Chapel Bible College Europe last fall. While I was gone an American woman and some other English speakers from the church took on that ministry and will continue to run with it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we rejoice at all that Jesus has done, is doing, and will do here in Szeged!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">this June, once again, we’re looking forward to taking part in the Foundations Conference which the leadership conference for leaders of Central & Eastern European churches. We’ve invited the leadership of Golgota Szeged to join us for this week of wonderful fellowship & teaching. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>support the work here in Szeged</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">one of the things we did while in CA was talk to people about support we need to continue to minster here in Szeged. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we’d like to ask you, if you’re reading this to prayerfully consider joining with us in the work of the Kingdom of God here in Szeged but partnering with us financially. We’re looking to raise more money which will enable me to continue to travel to encourage other pastors, as well as invest in the work of the Kingdom of God here in Szeged. It will also enable Odi to spend more time focusing on being the main worship leader at Golgota Szeged so she can translate new songs into Hungarian for the benefit of the body of Christ not just in Szeged but all over Hungary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">so if you'd like to join with us you can send your tax deductible donations through either Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa or Calvary Chapel Vista. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> here is the info through Calvary Chapel Vista on their website. you can give here (<a href="http://www.calvaryvista.com/give-2/"><span class="s1">http://www.calvaryvista.com/give-2/</span></a>) you just need to follow the process and when it asks for the donations put the amount in the "missions" box and in the memo note that it's for "Kyle & Odi Eckhart in Szeged, Hungary". They then will get that to us with our regular monthly support the beginning of each month.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> through Calvary Costa Mesa, you can give here (<a href="https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH"><span class="s1">https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH</span></a>) all you need to do here is go down the scroll down list to my name and the money will be sent to us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">thank you for prayerfully considering this!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>praise reports</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we’re thankful to God for His provision for our trip to CA and for all the people in California that blessed us with everything from a car, to places to stay, to tickets to Legoland & Disneyland<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVldZMOF5nM/UzhcgcLFlEI/AAAAAAAADXU/68jmNXkxxXU/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVldZMOF5nM/UzhcgcLFlEI/AAAAAAAADXU/68jmNXkxxXU/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disneyland</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we rejoice at all the good things that God did in Szeged in our absence</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we rejoice in the partnership among churches here in Szeged</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>prayer requests</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pray for our city wide Easter celebration that God would fill the open air theater with 1000 people to hear about the resurrection of Jesus</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for God’s provision for us and for the church here in Szeged</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for more open doors to minister to people in the name of Jesus here in Szeged</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for God’s provision for all those from our church that want to go to the national leadership conference in June.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">much love in Jesus,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">kyle, odi, zara, kiera</span></div>
Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-62177100269713520492013-10-30T14:48:00.001+01:002014-10-26T21:44:46.227+01:00some thoughts on Halloween | nehány gondolat a Halloween-ről<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(magyar lent van)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some people might not like what I'm about to say but let me ask you to just take a minute to consider what I have to say about Halloween.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As a Christian, every year I see different Facebook posts or articles telling Christians to avoid Halloween like the plague. The message is basically "a good Christian doesn't celebrate Halloween because it's a holiday that worships the devil”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While I’m clearly aware of the origins of Halloween, may I submit that Halloween as we know it is just a commercialized version of what some people think it is? I ask this question because growing up, we always celebrated Halloween & I went trick-or-treating every year. Funny, I didn’t turn out an active Satan worshipper but the pastor of a church who loves Jesus. There is a young man in our church who was an active Satan worshiper and Halloween had nothing to do with it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> So what’s the deal with Christians and Halloween? well first let me say that I do believe this, like many other holidays is so over commercialized that now it’s only about profit for companies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> that being said let me just ask these 2 questions…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. why do Christians come down so hard on this one day and show almost total disregard to many of the Satanic attitudes that typify everyday western life? (for example - pride, greed, materialism, self-centeredness, hatred, etc.) Shouldn't we be more concerned about these things on a daily basis than people dressing up once a year and giving kids candy? Why are we making such a big issue out of this one day? Could it be because we know that we should do something about evil and we think if we condemn this one day we can ignore or even partake in the Satanic attitudes that are promoted and so prevalent the rest of the year?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. If we're so uncomfortable with Halloween, why are we comfortable with celebrating other pagan holidays that have been "Christianized" such as Christmas and Easter? Why is the celebration or lack there of, of a holiday the standard for Christian faithfulness?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Am I saying Christians should celebrate Halloween? Like so many things this is, I believe, a matter of conscience. For years my wife and I have had friends over for “pumpkin carving parties” and every year we’ve enjoyed spending time with family and friends which we would not have otherwise spent together if it were just another day. Now that we have kids are we going to carve pumpkins & celebrate Halloween? Sure. Because as we’re carving pumpkins we can teach our kids something about God. How He takes this seemingly normal thing, puts His hand to work and forms what He wants, then He places His light in it to shine in the darkness. I see the way people carve pumpkins as very similar to the work that God does in the lives of people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Are there dangers associated with Halloween? Obviously. But I see the bigger dangers in the every day Satanic attitudes I mentioned above. More people actively worship Satan on a daily basis by putting themselves first in their lives, and I’m not talking about non-Christians here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So what should Christians do at Halloween? I know many churches have “Harvest Festivals” or “Fall Festivals”. I think the reason being is because people want to celebrate. People want to celebrate the blessings of God in their lives. I say, “let people celebrate. let people enjoy time with family and friends they love. let people imagine that they are a superhero, pirate, or Darth Vader.” Cause here is how I see Halloween. When we put on a costume pretending to be someone else, we need to stop and think for a minute how Jesus took upon human flesh to came as a man and took our place on the Cross to die for our sins. We also need to think about how God has placed the light of Jesus in our lives and that He is working in us forming us into His image and that we’re now called to shine our light for Him though our good works. Judging people never shines God’s light, good works do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So let me encourage you with the words of Jesus, be it Halloween or not, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”(Matthew 5:16) </span></div>
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<span lang="HU"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Vannak,
akiknek lehet, hogy nem tetszik az, amit mondani fogok, de hadd kérjelek meg,
hogy szánj egy percet arra, hogy végiggondolod, amit mondanom kell Halloween
kapcsán.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="HU">Keresztényként
minden évben látok különböző Facebook bejegyzéseket, vagy cikkeket, amelyek
azt<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>állítják, hogy keresztényeknek
kerülniük kell a Halloweent, mint a pestist. Az üzenet alapvetően az, hogy
"a jó keresztény nem ünnepli a Halloweent, mert ez egy ördög imádó ünnep."<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="HU">Bár teljesen <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tisztában vagyok a Halloween
eredetével, mégis megkérdezném, hogy a Halloween ahogy mi ismerjük, nem csak
egy fogyasztható változata annak, amit néhány ember úgy gondol, hogy az ami? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Azért kérdezem, mert gyerekkoromban, mi mindig
ünnepeltük a Halloweent és minden évben mentem cukrot-vagy-csínyt túrára.
Vicces, de nem lettem aktív Sátán imádó, hanem egy gyülekezet pásztora, aki
szereti Jézust. Van egy fiatalember a gyülekezetünkben, aki aktív Sátán imádó volt
és a Halloweenhez semmi közük nem volt.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="HU">Szóval
mi a helyzet a keresztények és a Halloween kapcsolatával? Hát először is hadd
mondjam el, hogy úgy látom, hogy ez is, mint sok más ünnep annyira
elüzletiesedett, hogy már csak a pénzről szól.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="HU"> ezzel
együtt, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hadd tegyem fel a
következő 2 kérdést ...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. </span><span lang="HU" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Miért támadják a keresztények ilyen
keményen ezt az egy napot, viszont teljesen figyelmen kívül hagynak sok más
sátáni hozzáállást, ami a mindennapi nyugati világot jellemzi? (büszkeség, kapzsiság,
anyagiasság, én-központúság, gyűlölet stb.) Nem kellene napi szinten jobban
törődni ezekkel a dolgokkal, mint azzal, hogy az emberek egyszer egy évben
beöltöznek, és a gyerekeknek cukrot adnak? Miért csinálunk olyan nagy ügyet
ebből az egy napból? Nem azért, mert tudjuk, hogy kellene tenni valamit a
gonoszság ellen és azt gondoljuk, hogy ha ezt az egy napot kárhoztatjuk, akkor
figyelmen kívül hagyhatjuk azokat sátáni attitűdöket,vagy akár részt is
vehetünk azokban, amelyek elterjedtek és egész évben jelen vannak?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> 2. Ha
annyira kellemetlen a Halloween, akkor miért nem kellemetlen más
kereszténnyé formált pogány ünnepek ünnepelése, mint a karácsony és a húsvét?
Miért egy ünnep megtartása, vagy nem megtartása </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">a keresztény hűség mércéje?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Azt
mondom tehát, hogy a keresztényeknek meg kell ünnepelniük a Halloweent? Úgy
gondolom, mint oly sok minden ez is lelkiismereti kérdés. Évekig a feleségem és
én a barátainkkal "tök faragó partikat" tartottunk, és így minden
évben időt tölthettünk a családunkkal és a barátainkkal, amit nem tölthettünk
volna együtt, ha az csak egy sima nap lett volna. Most, hogy már, hogy gyerekeink
is vannak, fogunk tököt faragni és ünnepelni a Halloweent? Persze. Mert faragás
közben Istenről tudjuk tanítani a gyerekeket. Hogyan veszi a kezébe ezt a
látszólag hétköznapi dolgot és hogyan formálja azzá amivé akarja, aztán az Ő
fényét helyezi bele, hogy a sötétségben világítson. Nagyon hasonlónak látom
azt, ahogy az emberek faragják tököt ahhoz, ahogy Isten alakítja az</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="HU">Vannak
veszélyek a Halloweennel kapcsolatban? Természetesen. De nagyobb veszélyt látok
a fönt említett mindennapi sátáni hozzáállásokban. Több ember imádja aktívan a
sátánt napi szinten azáltal, hogy magukat helyezik az első helyre az életükben
, és most nem a nem-keresztényekről beszélek.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="HU">Szóval,
mit kezdjenek a keresztények a Halloweennel? Tudom, hogy sok gyülekezetben van
"szüreti mulatság" vagy " Őszi Fesztivál". Azt hiszem, ennek
az az oka, hogy az emberek ünnepelni akarnak. Az emberek meg akarják ünnepelni
Isten áldását az életükben. Azt mondom, "hagy ünnepeljenek, hagy élvezzék
a családjukkal és a barátaikkal töltött időt. Hagy képzeljék azt, hogy
szuperhősök, kalózok, vagy Darth Vaderek." Mert én így látom a Halloweent.
Amikor jelmezt veszünk fel és úgy teszünk, mintha valaki más volnánk, meg kell
állnunk és el kell gondolkoznunk egy percig azon, hogy Jézus emberi testet
öltött, hogy emberként jöjjön el és elfoglalja a helyünket a kereszten, hogy
meghaljon a bűneinkért. Azt is át kell gondolnunk, hogy Isten Jézus fényét helyezte
az életünkbe, és hogy Ő munkálkodik bennünk, hogy minket saját képmására formáljon
és mi arra vagyunk elhívva, hogy a mi fényünk Neki ragyogjon a jó cselekedeteink
által. Az emberek elítélése soha nem ragyogtatja Isten világosságát, a jó
cselekedetek viszont nagyon is.<br />
<br /><br />
Hadd bátorítsalak Jézus szavaival, akár Halloween van, vagy sem: " </span><span class="alap"><span lang="HU">Úgy ragyogjon a ti világosságotok az emberek előtt,
hogy lássák jó cselekedeteiteket, és dicsőítsék a ti mennyei Atyátokat.</span></span><span lang="HU">" (Máté 5:16 )</span></span></div>
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Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-78418222751301115492013-10-03T18:46:00.000+02:002013-10-03T18:47:29.745+02:00some thoughts on Pastor Chuck Smith & the future of Calvary Chapel<div class="p1">
this afternoon my Facebook wall began to fill up with the news that Pastor Chuck Smith (the founding pastor and leader of the Calvary Chapel movement) had won his battle with cancer and moved home to Heaven.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ivx4wLXB4xY/Uk2flUqdl8I/AAAAAAAADSs/nJdYwhs6GSE/s1600/pastor-chuck-smith-271144624-std.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ivx4wLXB4xY/Uk2flUqdl8I/AAAAAAAADSs/nJdYwhs6GSE/s320/pastor-chuck-smith-271144624-std.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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though I had only met Pastor Chuck a few times, his life had profound influence upon mine. though I was far from being around at when the Jesus movement began I'm one of the many that felt it's effects. </div>
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When I became a Christian in 1993, the church I was taken to was Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. At the time I had no idea what Calvary was or who Chuck Smith was. But something "clicked" for me when I went to Calvary. I understood and felt that Jesus loves me.</div>
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After becoming a Christian, I had a desire to be at church as often as possible, so as much as I could, I attended every Bible study at Calvary Costa Mesa, both the youth group & the main service. Now the thing is I knew I wanted to serve the Lord who saved me. </div>
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Interestingly enough, the response by those at Calvary was "ok, go for it!" Little did I know at the time that this was very unusual. Most churches required a seminary degree before one could serve the Lord in the church. Pastor Chuck's philosophy was different (in my opinion Biblical); if someone wanted to serve the Lord then let's let them serve the Lord.</div>
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Nothing is more evident of this than when a young 18-year-old applied for missionary support so he could go serve the Lord in Baja, Hungary. Amazingly enough, that young man, along with many others over the years, was approved for financial support to take the Gospel to the Word. </div>
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Since then I've been blessed to call myself a part of the Calvary Chapel family & for the past 13+ years a Calvary Chapel pastor. With Pastor Chuck moving home, I realize how amazing his vision was upon a whole generation of Christianity and many who are serving the Lord because He believed in the call of God instead of a paper saying one was qualified. So this evening I say, "thank you Jesus for the vision & heart you gave to Pastor Chuck to love people & get the Gospel out all over the world!" I know that I am doing what I'm doing because this is part of the legacy of Pastor Chuck; giving young men the opportunity to serve their Lord.</div>
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to be honest the question has been floating in the air for a while now of "what's going to happen to Calvary Chapel when Pastor Chuck dies?" it's something I've thought about & talked with others about. Yesterday I was riding the train up to Budapest to preach at Calvary Budapest & I took the time to do some reading in a book that the elders of Calvary Szeged & I are reading together at the moment, "Spiritual Leadership" by J. Oswald Sanders. I just "happened" to read chapter 19 yesterday about "replacing leaders" and I thought about how timely this was for the Calvary Chapel tribe of churches. Let me quote what Sanders said, “A work inspired by God and built on spiritual principles will survive the shock of leadership change and may even prosper as a result”.</div>
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I believe Calvary Chapel IS a work inspired by God and built on spiritual principles. Pastor Chuck is with Jesus, but Jesus is still head of this church & I believe the best days of Calvary Chapel are still ahead of us because of the foundation that Pastor Chuck laid for all of us.</div>
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What Pastor Chuck has taught all of us pastors is the importance of preaching the Gospel to the lost, teaching the Bible, loving the church, and giving people an opportunity to the next generation to take up the baton and run with it.</div>
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Thank you for running your race well Pastor Chuck. You will be missed but we will continue the work that the Lord Jesus began in & through you.</div>
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very sad yet thankful & rejoicing tonight,</div>
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kyle</div>
Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-4762799532436067772013-10-01T16:08:00.001+02:002013-10-01T16:14:06.521+02:002013 fall update<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Friends,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we hope you all had a great summer. let us share with you some of the happenings in our life & ministry here in Szeged.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>family news</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were blessed to take part in 2 difference conferences this summer. the first was Central & Eastern European Leadership Conference at the Bible College in Vajta. It was a wonderful week of encouragement & fellowship with many leaders from all over this part of the world. We were super blessed to take some leaders from Golgota Szeged with us.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d3Kn_xoxQE4/UkrWx9B4bsI/AAAAAAAADSI/Mf_om8JAM5I/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d3Kn_xoxQE4/UkrWx9B4bsI/AAAAAAAADSI/Mf_om8JAM5I/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In August we were blessed to be able to go to the annual Calvary Chapel Missions Conference at The Castle in Austria. Again, a real time of encouragement through the teaching & meeting some new friends who are ministering in different places around Europe & the former Soviet Union.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVDCPdtJcYg/UkrW4jWuxOI/AAAAAAAADSQ/9HuhV9GSms4/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVDCPdtJcYg/UkrW4jWuxOI/AAAAAAAADSQ/9HuhV9GSms4/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had our first real medical issue with our kids. A week ago Zara had an operation to repair a hernia. She was our brave little hero throughout the operation. Thankfully Odi was able to take her to the Children's Clinic in the morning & they were home in the afternoon. She is fully recovered and back in kindergarten. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5yKzcBBev5Y/UkrW41gGk4I/AAAAAAAADSU/Nm7MP7fuVF4/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5yKzcBBev5Y/UkrW41gGk4I/AAAAAAAADSU/Nm7MP7fuVF4/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we've said before we'd really like to make a trip back to the States next year, we're still looking at that and hope things work out for us to go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>ministry news</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we had a wonderful time partnering with the Baptist church doing outreach in both Szeged & Hódmezővásárhely this summer. We continue to look forward to how God is going to use our partnership for His glory & kingdom in this region. We continue to host a monthly prayer breakfast for local church leaders & pastors. These are always great times to connect with and encourage one another.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as of late I've had a lot of teaching opportunities. Last Tuesday night I was once again invited to speak to the Baptist Youth Group. It's really a youth group for all the Christian youth here in Szeged. There were about 80-90 people in attendance. It's always great to be able to share with the next generation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as I'm sitting down to write this I've just finished preparing a message that I'll be teaching at Calvary Budapest tomorrow evening as Pastor Phil Metzger will be out of the country. I'm truly honored to be teaching both services there tomorrow night as I talk about "the attitude of gratitude"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">on October 20th I'll be teaching at Calvary Subotica. I always love being there & seeing what God is doing just right across the border from us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On September 15th I began teaching a series through the Sermon on the Mount. This is in conjunction with the launch of 4 cell groups in 2 cities at Golgota Szeged. In our cell group meetings we're focusing on the things that are taught on Sunday mornings and discussing them more in depth. We're hosting a group in our home and I'm co-leading it with a young man named Gábor. Gábor is a great guy & a future leader in the church and so I'm just coaching him as he leads.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Wednesday nights we're continuing our journey through the Bible. At our current pace we hope to complete the first English/Hungarian through the Bible teach (which is all available for free online) in the next 6 months!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is one thing that I'm really blessed to be doing is coaching / encouraging leaders. Myself & the leaders of Gologta Szeged are getting together on a regular basis to talk about leadership as we're going through the great book "Spiritual Leadership" by Oswald Sanders together. I'm also blessed to spend time with other pastors in our region & others on Skype. I know that these guys have been blessed by our time together too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The elders of the church & I agreed that we need a little more direction and oversight in the worship ministry thus we've appointed Odi as the worship coordinator. She is now responsible for organizing the worship schedule and for implementing vision and new songs. Odi has the time, vision, and passion for this so it's a great fit. We're really excited about the changes that are happening in the worship ministry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Later this month we'll be hosting a 10-day outreach team from the Bible College in Vajta. 7 people will be coming to minister with us. We've got opportunities for them to go into schools for conversational English lessons at schools in both Szeged & Hódmezővásárhely. We're excited to see what the Lord does during these 10 days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing I've been encouraged to do by a couple people is to share some of the things I've learned over the years by writing. So recently I've been sharing my thoughts on different subjects & posting them on our blog here. Some of the posts are in both English & Hungarian because they are things that I'd like to communicate to our church. So far there has been good response especially on a post I wrote a couple weeks ago with my thoughts on missions & money (<a href="http://kyleodi.blogspot.hu/2013/09/some-thoughts-on-missions-and-money.html"><span class="s1">http://kyleodi.blogspot.hu/2013/09/some-thoughts-on-missions-and-money.html</span></a>) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is an exciting possible ministry opportunity opening up for me. should it happen I'll let you all know!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>things to pray about</i></span></div>
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<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for wisdom for Odi as she is leading the worship ministry & for provision for a new guitar</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for continued blessing upon our friendship with the other churches in Szeged</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for the 10-day outreach from Vajta to be very fruitful</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that God would continue to use Golgota Szeged locally and also to reach many who follow us on different social media outlets to get the Word of God to people.</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">boldness in sharing Jesus with people</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">more opportunities for ministry </span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that God would use me to continue to encourage other ministry leaders & pastors. </span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for God's continued provision & protection for our family</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>stay in touch</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you'd like to have more frequent updates about our lives and ministry here in Szeged here are how you can do so...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Kyle's facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/kyleodi</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Kyle's twitter - @kyleeckhart - https://twitter.com/kyleeckhart</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Golgota Szeged's facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Golgota-Szeged/136419214162</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Golgota Szeged's webpage - www.golgotaszeged.hu</span></div>
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<span class="s2"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Golgota Szeged' YouTube channel - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWIyjV_CHWqh75BoM3xLu_g"><span class="s3">http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWIyjV_CHWqh75BoM3xLu_g</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>giving</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we know that finances are tight and there are many requests for funding, we'd like to ask once again if you'd prayerfully consider committing to a monthly donation of $20 to support us so that we can continue to minister in ways which we feel will be beneficial for the Kingdom of God in Szeged & our region.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you'd like to support our ministry monthly or a one time gift you can do so through the following websites...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa (in the pull down menu please select us)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Calvary Chapel Vista </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> https://webview.shelbyinc.com/app/04423/Default.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=17</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> here you need to designate your offering to "missions" and in then in the note please say that it's for us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you!!</span></div>
Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-41230438575066692212013-09-17T20:51:00.000+02:002013-09-17T21:31:30.424+02:00some thoughts on missions and money<div class="p1">
As a Christian, we like talking about one of these two things, the other is a "personal" matter and we don't want anyone telling us what to do.</div>
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obviously a Christian should be excited in the idea of missions. Mission is simply continuing the work of God on the earth by the power of the Holy Spirit. It's taking the Good News of Jesus Christ to people who don't yet know Him. God's mission through His people begins in the book of Acts and continues to this very day. The Apostle Peter tells us that Christians are a, "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). This means that every single Christian should seek to be on mission for Jesus wherever He might have them (school, work, neighborhood, etc.)</div>
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But I want to talk about those people who, when they do their tax returns write "missionary" in the occupation line. I've been honored to write that on my tax return for the past 18 years. By the grace of God I hope to continue to write that as my occupation. I truly believe I've got the best job in the world. In my many years as a missionary, and more recently in my travels to visit other pastor/missionaries and my conversations with many, there is a subject that is on everyone's mind and hearts but it seems that so many are afraid to talk about it cause it seems so "unspiritual", and that's money. Now, if the Bible never spoke about money and if Jesus didn't teach so much about money I'd understand, but the Bible talks about money, wealth and possessions hundreds of times. Many of Jesus' parables dealt with the subject of money & possessions. So obviously it's important. </div>
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For some reason it's just understood that missionaries are to be poor because they are to "live by faith". I've even heard missionaries say that pastors who came to visit them made comments like "man this is a nice car you're driving (even if second hand), looks like you don't need our support". My question is, why is it required of missionaries to be the only ones who "live by faith"? Now don't misunderstand me, I know times are difficult for everyone. I just want to help you, the reader, understand the situation a lot of missionaries are in. Many are living on far less than what they planned or budgeted for. This means not being able to buy a reliable car, take a family vacation, and not being able to go back to America to visit family, friends, and supporting churches for years. </div>
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Many missionaries have, are, or are considering working a part-time job outside of the church just to make these things possible for their families. The only problem is, that it's so hard for people who are expected to do one thing (serve the church full-time) to have to choose to work a part-time job to give their families what others take for granted. </div>
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For those of you (churches or individuals) who are regularly supporting missionaries THANK YOU!!! Your generosity is changing the lives of people all around the world.</div>
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For those of you who are reading this and know people who are missionaries, can I please ask you to consider joining in the work they are doing by supporting them financially? Now, let me say I'm not asking you to fork out hundreds of dollars a month towards missions (but if you can go for it!!!). I'd like to ask you, if you're an individual, to consider supporting a missionary you know $20 a month. I know we have a few people who support us like this and it means a lot!! It could mean a meal out for a couple, it could mean them being able to buy their kids the hygiene products their kids need for kindergarten, or just being able to put gas in the tank. If you're a church leader, would you consider supporting a missionary you know up to $100 a month. Many missionaries live month to month with no emergency fund or savings. It's not due to a lack of effort, it's due to a simple lack of funds. </div>
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Now I know what you're thinking, I'm writing this to try to raise support. That is not my intent but if you know us and want to support us financially then we'd greatly appreciate that because we struggle with some of the things I've mentioned. But my desire in writing this is that you'd take a few minutes to consider those people you know serving the Lord all over the world and think about helping them serve the Lord in that freedom that they so desire.</div>
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If you'd like to support us financially there are a couple of ways you can do that. You can send your support for us to…</div>
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<b><i>Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa</i></b> </div>
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<li class="li1">follow this link (<a href="https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH"><span class="s1">https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH</span></a>) and in the "Missionary Name/Code" select Eckhart, Kyle </li>
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<li class="li1"><b><i>Calvary Chapel Vista</i></b></li>
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<li class="li1">here you need to sign in (<a href="https://webview.shelbyinc.com/app/04423/Default.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=17"><span class="s1">https://webview.shelbyinc.com/app/04423/Default.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=17</span></a>) and then specify your gift for "missions" and be sure to note that it's for "Kyle & Odi Eckhart in Szeged, Hungary" </li>
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<li class="li1">If you are a church and would like to send your support directly to us, then please contact us at kyleodi@gmail.com for more information.</li>
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In the name of all those I know who are serving our Lord and can continue to do so because of YOUR generosity, let me once again say THANK YOU!!!</div>
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Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-1258290469738393162013-08-30T12:33:00.000+02:002013-08-30T12:34:53.856+02:00some thoughts on social media | néhány gondolat a közösségi médiáról<div class="p1">
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some thoughts on social media</div>
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I've got to admit, I love social media. I'm on Facebook, Twitter (@kyleeckhart) and Istagram. I love how through these different mediums I can stay connected with friends and family all over the world. Something struck me as I was teaching through 2 Timothy 3. Paul is telling Timothy about the difficult times that will exists in the last days. The difficulty will be created by people, their attitudes and actions. One characteristic really stuck out to me, Paul said that people would be "boastful". To boast is speak excessively about yourself and your accomplishments. One downside to social media (and I do believe there are a few. such as addiction, disconnect from personal relationships, etc.) is that it feeds the desire to boast. If you don't believe me just take a look at your Facebook wall. What do you see? you see everyone talking about how awesome their life is, the great place they are or vacationed at, the amazing food they are eating, and the awesome plans they have for the weekend. </div>
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So I guess my question is, what are you boasting in? What are you, as a Christian, talking about on Facebook?</div>
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I believe that as Christians we need to have a proper understand of how and why we should use social media. I think that part of that is to understand that social media is a venue in which we're to live and talk about our faith. We are Christians not only when we're at church, we're also Christians when we're on Facebook and Twitter. </div>
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I believe that social media is a wonderful tool by which Christians can share the Gospel and the effects of the Gospel in our lives. Now I'm not saying that we shouldn't be posting stuff about ourselves. I know I like to share pictures of my family & things we're doing but I also love to share about what God is doing in Golgota Szeged (@golgotaszeged on twitter) and Scriptures that encourage me.</div>
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So I think in the digital age that we're living in we need begin to view social media as not only a place to talk about ourselves but as a mission field where we talk about Jesus. I do believe that God can and does use social media to encourage Christians and get the Gospel to people. I'm just concerned that we view these things as tools to promote self and not exalt Jesus. We should be using our social media not only for what we're doing but for what God is doing, not only for what we think but for sharing what God says in Scripture.</div>
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Let me encourage you to begin to think of how you can use social media in a strategic way to take the Gospel to people who might not otherwise hear.</div>
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For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”</div>
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- Romans 10:13-15 </div>
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In our context Paul might write, how beautiful are the fingers that preach the Good News online.</div>
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Social media is a great tool. Let's use it for the greatest purpose of all, the Gospel.</div>
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kyle</div>
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Néhány gondolat a közösségi médiáról</div>
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El kell, hogy ismerjem, nagyon szeretem a közösségi médiát. Fennvagyok a Facebookon, Twitteren (@kyleeckhart) és az Instagramon is. Nagyon szeretem, ahogy a különböző eszközökön keresztül tudom tartani a kapcsolatot a barátaimmal és a családommal a világ minden tájáról. Viszont volt valami, ami belém hasított, ahogy a 2 Timóteus 3-at tanítottam. Pál Timóteusnak az utolsó napokban fellépő nehéz időkről beszél. Arról a nehézségről, amit az emberek a hozzáállásukkal és a tetteikkel teremtenek. Egy jellemző nagyon kiugrott, amikor Pál azt mondta, hogy az emberek "dicsekvők" lesznek. A dicsekvés az, amikor az ember túlzóan beszél saját magáról és a teljesítményéről. Az a közösségi média egyik árnyoldala (és szerintem van néhány pl függőség, elszakadás a személyes kapcsolatoktól, stb.), hogy az ember dicsekvési vágyát táplálja. Ha nem hiszed, csak nézd meg a Facebookodat. Mit látsz? Azt látod, hogy mindenki arról beszél, hogy az életük milyen csodálatos, milyen nagyszerű helyeken vannak/voltak nyaralni, milyen bámulatos ételeket esznek és milyen klassz terveik vannak a hétvégére. </div>
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Szóval, gondolom az a kérdés merül fel, te mivel dicsekszel? Te keresztényként miről beszélsz a Facebookon? </div>
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Úgy hiszem, hogy nekünk keresztényeknek pontosan kell látnunk, hogy miért és hogyan használjuk a közösségi médiát. Azt gondolom, hogy ez abból áll, hogy megértjük, hogy a közösségi média egy találkozóhely, ahol nekünk meg kell élnünk a hitünket és beszélnünk kell arról. Nem csak a gyülekezetben vagyunk keresztények, hanem a Facebookon és a Twitteren is. </div>
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Hiszem azt, hogy a közösségi média egy csodálatos eszköz, amivel a keresztények meg tudják osztani az Evangéliumot és az Evangélium hatását az életünkben. Nem azt mondom, hogy nem volna szabad kiraknunk semmit magunkról. Szeretek megosztani képeket a családomról és arról, hogy miket csinálunk, de azt is nagyon szeretem megosztani, hogy mit tesz Isten a szegedi Golgotában (@golgotaszeged a Twitteren) és azokat az Igehelyeket, amelyek bátorítanak. </div>
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Szóval azt gondolom, hogy ebben a digitális korban, amiben élünk, ideje, hogy a közösségi médiát ne csak egy olyan helynek tekintsük, ahol saját magunkról beszélünk, hanem egy missziós mezőnek is, ahol Jézusról beszélünk. Hiszem, hogy Isten tudja és szokta is használni a közösségi médiát arra, hogy keresztényeket bátorítson és eljuttassa az Evangéliumot embereknek. Csak amiatt aggódom, hogy ezeket az eszközöket arra használjuk, hogy saját magunkat reklámozzuk, és nem arra, hogy Jézust magasztaljuk. Ne csak arra használjuk a közösségi médiát, hogy mi mit csinálunk, hanem arra is, hogy mit tesz Isten, nem csak arról, hogy mi mit gondolunk, hanem azt is osszuk meg, hogy mit mond Isten az Igéjében. </div>
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Hagy bátorítsalak arra, hogy kezdj el gondolkodni azon, hogy hogyan tudnád stratégiai szempontból használni a közösségi médiát arra, hogy eljuttathasd az Evangéliumot az embereknek, akik lehet, hogy másként ezt nem hallhatnák.</div>
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Hiszen "aki segítségül hívja az Úr nevét, üdvözül." De hogyan hívják segítségül azt, akiben nem hisznek? Hogyan is higgyenek abban, akit nem hallottak? Hogyan hallják meg igehirdető nélkül? És hogyan hirdessék, ha nem küldettek el? Így van megírva: „Milyen kedves azoknak a jövetele, akik az evangéliumot hirdetik!” - Róma 10:13-15 </div>
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A mi esetünkben Pál azt mondhatta volna, milyen kedves azoknak az ujja, akik a Jó Hírt az interneten hirdetik.</div>
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A közösségi média egy nagyszerű eszköz. Használjuk hát a legnagyobb cél, az Evangélium érdekében.</div>
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Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-9918803532993483062013-08-17T08:22:00.001+02:002013-08-17T08:39:00.632+02:00Let's connect | Tartsunk össze<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x1qn6mRe96I/Ug8XRLTZVPI/AAAAAAAADPI/xuXH39n8cHs/s1600/connection.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x1qn6mRe96I/Ug8XRLTZVPI/AAAAAAAADPI/xuXH39n8cHs/s320/connection.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
If you're reading this then I'm guessing that you are, in some way, connected with Golgota Szeged. Because you are let me share something that has always bothered me. Over the years we've had so many people come visit our church & usually we talk with them & when they leave we hope they'll return. Some have, more have not! If you've come back, thank you!</div>
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I want to try to put a stop to this trend because I think when we let people come & leave with the "hope" that they'll come we're not caring for people as much as we should. We don't want to be pushy but we also want to care about everyone who walks through the doors simply because God loves them & cares for them.</div>
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To help stop this we've designed "connection cards". When a new person comes to the church we want to get one of these cards into their hands so that we can connect & follow up with them. </div>
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Why is connection important for new visitors? </div>
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A few weeks ago a family came to church from Makó. A couple people talked with them and learned that they heard about Golgota Szeged on the internet and came to check us out because they go to a church in Makó but it's not a good church and there aren't any good churches in that city. They said that there were a lot of people like them there. It looked like a possible opportunity for us but because no one got their contact information they are now "lost in the wind". </div>
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I believe our church is a good church. I believe that our church can be used by God to help lots of people & see them built up in the Christian faith, but that can't happen if we let them slip away. </div>
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If we love people, we should pursue people.</div>
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Why is connection important for you?</div>
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Connection isn't just important for new people in our church, connection is important for those of all already attending Golgota Szeged. As we're studying the 7 churches in Revelation we see that Jesus is talking to churches. The majority of the New Testament epistles are written to churches. Paul encourages Timothy to "…pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." (2 Timothy <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">2:22</a>) What Paul is saying is that we need other Christians in our lives if we're going to be successful in pursuing these things cause we can't do life alone.</div>
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That is why I'm really excited about launching our cell groups this September. For many this is the next step you need to take in your Christian life. Connecting with other believers to dig deeper into God's Word and sharing your life with them. Over 50 times the Bible gives us a "one another" statement. Love one another, bear one another's burdens, pray for one another, comfort one another, forgive one another, bear with one another, encourage one another. These things are impossible to do alone and not too easy to do in the context of a Sunday service or a <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">Wednesday night</a> Bible Study.</div>
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We're planning on launching 3-4 cell groups in connection with a big sermon series I'll be preaching through the Sermon on the Mount starting <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://3" x-apple-data-detectors-result="3" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">September 15th.</a> </div>
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what I'm asking..</div>
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<li>talk to new people when they walk in the door & get them a connection card. Connection cards are available at the bar in both English & Hungarian. Please have guests fill them out & put it in the offering box or get it back to one of the church leaders so we can follow up. </li>
<li>get connected to a cell group. </li>
<li>pray about how you can get people better connected with Jesus through Golgota Szeged. </li>
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looking forward to a better, stronger connection!</div>
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kyle</div>
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Ha ezt most olvasod, akkor feltételezem, hogy valamilyen formában kötődsz a Golgota Szegedhez. Mivel ez így van, had osszak meg veled valamit, ami mindig is zavart. Az évek során rengeteg ember látogatott el hozzánk a gyülekezetbe és általában beszélgettünk velük és amikor elmentek reméltük, hogy majd visszajönnek.</div>
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Néhányan visszajöttek de még többen nem! Ha te visszajöttél, akkor köszi!</div>
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Szeretném ezt a folyamatot megállítani, mert azt gondolom, hogy ha hagyjuk, hogy az emberek csak jöjjenek és menjenek azzal a „reménnyel”, hogy majdcsak visszajönnek, akkor nem törődünk velük annyira, amennyire kellene. Nem akarunk nyomulni, inkább csak törődni azokkal az emberekkel, akik bejönnek az ajtón egyszerűen csak azért, mert Isten szereti őket és törődik velük.</div>
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Hogy ezt megakadályozzuk „kapcsolat kártyákat” terveztünk. Azt szeretnénk, hogy amikor egy új ember bejön a gyülekezetbe kapjon egy ilyen kártyát, hogy kapcsolatot tudjuk építeni vele.</div>
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Miért ilyen fontos az új látogatókkal való kapcsolat?</div>
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Néhány héttel ezelőtt jött egy család Makóról. Néhányan beszélgettek velük és megtudták, hogy az interneten hallottak a Golgota Szegedről és azért látogattak meg bennünket, mert ahova Makóra járnak gyülekezetbe az nem jó gyülekezet és nem is igen van jó gyülekezet a városban. Azt is mondták, hogy sok hozzájuk hasonló ember van Makón. Ez egy lehetőségnek látszott számunkra, de mivel senki sem kért el tőlük semmilyen elérhetőséget valahogy „elfújta őket a szél”.</div>
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Hiszem azt, hogy a gyülekezetünk egy jó gyülekezet. Hiszem, hogy Isten tudja használni a gyülekezetünket, hogy sok embernek segítsen és láthassa őket a keresztény hitben épülni, de ez csak akkor történhet meg, ha nem hagyjuk őket kisiklani.</div>
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Ha szeretjük az embereket, nekünk kell utánuk mennünk.</div>
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Miért fontos neked a kapcsolat?</div>
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A kapcsolat nemcsak az új embereknek fontos, de mindenkinek, aki a Golgota Szegedbe jár. Ahogy most a Jelenések könyve hét gyülekezetét tanulmányozzuk, azt láthatjuk, hogy Jézus a gyülekezetekhez szól. Az Újszövetségi levelek nagy része gyülekezeteknek íródott. Pál arra bátorítja Timóteust, hogy: „Törekedj viszont az igazságra, a hitre, a szeretetre, a békességre azokkal együtt, akik tiszta szívből hívják segítségül az Urat.” (2 Timóteus <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://4" x-apple-data-detectors-result="4" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">2:22</a>). Azt mondja itt Pál, hogy szükségünk van más keresztényekre az életünkben, hogyha sikeresek akarunk lenni e dolgok elérésében, mert nem tudjuk az életet egyedül élni.</div>
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na ezért vagyok tényleg izgatott a most szeptemberben induló Sejtcsoportok kapcsán. Sokatoknak ez a következő lépés, amit meg kell tennetek a keresztény életetekben. Más keresztényekkel kapcsolatot építeni, mélyebbre ásni Isten Igéjében és megosztani az életünket egymással. A Biblia több, mint 50 alkalommal említi az „egymást” kifejezést. Szeressétek egymást, hordozzátok egymás terheit, imádkozzatok egymásért, hordozzátok egymást, bátorítsátok egymást. Ezeket a dolgokat lehetetlen megtenni egyedül, és nem könnyű a vasárnapi Istentisztelet, vagy a szerdai Bibliaóra keretén belül.</div>
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Szeptember 15-től 3-4 sejtcsoport indítását tervezzük, melynek alapja a Hegyi Beszédre épülő prédikáció sorozatom lesz.</div>
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Amit kérek…</div>
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Beszélgessetek az új emberekkel, amikor bejönnek az ajtón és adjatok nekik egy kapcsolat kártyát. A kapcsolatkártyák elérhetők a bárpultnál mind magyarul, mind pedig angolul. Kérjétek meg a vendégeket, hogy töltsék ki ezeket a kártyákat és dobják be az adománygyűjtő dobozba, vagy adják oda valamelyik gyülekezetvezetőnek, hogy tovább tudjuk építeni a kapcsolatot</div>
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Kapcsolódj be egy sejtcsoportba. </div>
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Imádkozz azzal kapcsolatban, hogy hogyan tudod az embereket közelebb vinni Jézushoz a Golgota Szegeden keresztül.. </div>
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Már alig várom a jobb, erősebb kapcsolatokat!</div>
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kyle</div>
Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-4061984736229261702013-07-11T20:15:00.001+02:002013-07-11T20:15:17.768+02:00I am nobody | senki vagyok<span style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">(magyar lent van)</span><div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "> I am nobody</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Do you ever feel like this? That in the big scheme of things that you're really not important? I think we'd all like to think of ourselves as being a person of great importance but then reality hits us that we're not as important as we think. Now that's kind of depressing, isn't it! </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">I was reminded of something recently. I've been reading through 1 Chronicles as I make my way through the Bible this year. And honestly the first 10 chapters of 1 Chronicles is boring! I know I've skipped over these chapters before, if you've ever tried to read them then you might have done the same. But if we skip over these chapters the we miss a very important Biblical truth: everyone is important to God. See I don't believe that God wastes space so everything God said in the Bible means something, even if we don't understand it. </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">I believe that the big message of the first 10 chapters of 1 Chronicles is that everyone is important and valuable to God. That means not only you but also the people we interact with, from the person who serves us our coffee to the person who sits next to us at church. So the question is how are we treating these people? Are we demanding jerks cause they forgot to do things exactly the way we wanted? Do we treat them as someone lower than us because they are serving us? Do we care about them as men and women who are image bearers of God? </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">In Luke 19 there is the story of when Jesus was entering into the city of Jericho. Obviously because of the fame of Jesus everyone wanted to see him so people packed the streets hoping to get a look (they would have Instagramed this event if they could!) There was a man named Zacchaeus there. If Jesus was famous, Zacchaeus was infamous. Everyone knew him as the traitor because though a Jew he sold himself out and was working for the Roman government as a tax collector, as a matter of fact he was the chief tax collector of the area. So he used Roman muscle to collect taxes and he made a lot of money by going "Godfather" on his own people. He was the type of guy you knew about and you hated him. The interesting thing is that he wanted to see Jesus too but because he was short of stature he had to climb a tree to see Jesus. As Jesus walked into the city, he looked up in the tree and called Zacchaeus by name saying, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today." You can read the story of Zacchaeus' life changing encounter in Luke 19:1-10 but the point I want to make is that Jesus knew Zacchaeus and called him by name. He was despised by many but important to and loved by Jesus. </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">So what am I trying to say, well you need to firstly know that Jesus knows you & you are important to him. You may be a "nobody" to this world but you're a "somebody" to him. Now, I think normally a lot of people would be happy to stop right here knowing that Jesus loves me & knows who I am. But we'd be missing the big point if we did. Our view of Jesus & Christianity has become so self-focused that we forget that Jesus told us to "love God and love others" not "love God and love self". </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">The point I want to make is that yes people are valuable and important to God and in our interactions with others, regardless if they are people in our own church or somebody we'd consider a "sinner" like Zacchaeus, we need to treat them with the value and importance they deserve as image bearers of God. See Zacchaeus had a life change cause Jesus loved & cared about him. I think we could see the same kind life change in people if we'd tread them like Jesus did. </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "> </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">You might feel like you're a nobody but you might be just the person that somebody else needs. God wants to use you to bring real change in someone's life. Let's get our focus off of ourselves and love and care for others like Jesus.</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><div>Senki vagyok</div><div><br></div><div> Érezted már így magad valaha? Hogy a nagy dolgok rendjében, te tényleg nem vagy fontos? Azt hiszem, mindannyian szeretünk úgy gondolni magunkra, mint nagy jelentőségű személyre, de aztán lesújtó a valóság, nem vagyunk olyan fontosak, mint azt gondolnánk. Azért ez elég lehangoló, nem igaz?</div><div><br></div><div>Eszembe jutott valami az utóbbi időben. Az 1 Krónikánál tartok, ahogy ebben az évben haladok végig a Biblián. És őszintén szólva az 1 Krónikák első 10 fejezete unalmas! Tudom, hogy az ember átugorja ezeket a fejezeteket, ahogy valószínűleg te is ezt tetted, ha valaha is próbáltad elolvasni ezt a könyvet. De ha ezeket a fejezeteket átugorjuk egy nagyon fontos bibliai igazságról maradunk le: mindenki fontos Istennek. Mert hogy nem hiszem, hogy Isten csak a helyet akarná kitölteni, úgyhogy minden, amint Isten mond a Bibliában, az jelent is valamit akkor is, ha nem értjük meg.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Hiszem, hogy az 1 Krónikák első 10 fejezetének nagy üzenete az, hogy Istennek mindenki fontos és értékes. Ez azt jelenti, nem csak te, hanem azok az emberek is, akikkel kapcsolatba kerülsz, attól az embertől kezdve, aki felszolgálja a kávét, addig az emberig, aki mellettünk ül a gyülekezetben. Tehát a kérdés az, hogy hogyan bánunk ezekkel az emberekkel? Vajon követelőző bunkók vagyunk, mert nem pontosan úgy csinálták a dolgokat, ahogy mi akartuk? Nem kezeljük le őket, kevesebbre tartva őket magunknál csak mert ők szolgálnak minket? Úgy bánunk velük, mint olyan emberekkel, akik Isten képmásának hordozói?</div><div><br></div><div>A Lukács 19-ben van egy történet, amikor Jézus éppen belér Jerikóba. Nyilvánvalóan a hírneve miatt mindenki látni akarja Jézust, úgyhogy az utca tele van emberekkel abban a reményben, hogy egy pillantást vethetnek rá (biztos egyből tették volna fel a képeket a netre, ha lehetett volna!) Volt ott egy Zákeus nevű ember. Ha Jézus híres volt, hát Zákeus inkább hírhedt. Mindenki árulóként tekintett rá, mert bár zsidó volt, eladta magát és a római kormányzatnak dolgozott, mint vámszedő, sőt mi több, valójában ő volt a fő vámszedő ezen a területen. Római erőt használt tehát, hogy beszedje az adókat és egy csomó pénzt keresett, hogy a saját népén"keresztapáskodott". Ő az a fajta fickó volt, akit mindenki ismert és utált. Az érdekes dolog az, hogy ő is látni akarta Jézust, de mivel kistermetű volt fel kellett másznia egy fára, hogy láthassa Jézust. Amikor Jézus bement a városba, felnézett a fára, és nevén szólítotat Zákeust és azt mondta: „Zákeus, szállj le hamar, mert ma a te házadban kell megszállnom.” Elolvashatod Zákeus találkozásának történetét, amely megváltoztatta az életetét a Lukács 19:1-10-ben de a lényeg az, hogy Jézus ismerte Zákeust, és nevén szólította. Sokan megvetették, de Jézus fontosnak tartotta és szerette őt.</div><div>Szóval mit is akartam mondani, nos először istudnod kell, hogy Jézus ismer téged, és fontos vagy neki. Lehet, hogy egy "senki" vagy ezen a világon, de te neki "valaki" vagy. Nos, azt hiszem, általában egy csomó ember szívesen venné, ha itt megállnék, tudván, hogy Jézus szeret engem és tudja, ki vagyok. De a lényeg veszne el, ha ezt tennénk. Annyira énközpontúvá vált az , hogy hogyan tekintünk Jézusra és a kereszténységre, hogy elfelejtjük, hogy Jézus azt mondta nekünk, hogy "szeressük Istent és a szeressünk másokat" nem "szeressük Istent és saját magunkat".</div><div><br></div><div>A lényeg, amit ki akartam fejezni az, hogy igen, az emberek értékesek és fontosak Istennek és a másokkal való kapcsolatainkban, függetlenül attól, hogy az emberek a mi gyülekezetünkbe járnak, vagy valaki akit mi "bűnös"-nek tartunk, mint Zákeus, fontos és értékes embereknek kell tartanunk őket, amit megérdemelnek, hiszen Isten képmásának hordozói. Hiszen Zákeusnak is azért változott meg az élete mert Jézus szerette és törődött vele. Azt hiszem, hasonlóan megváltozott életeket láthatunk, ha úgy bánunk az emberekkel, ahogy Jézus.</div><div><br></div><div>Lehet, hogy úgy érzed magad, mintha egy senki volnál, de lehet, hogy épp te vagy az a személy, akire valakinek szüksége van. Isten arra akar használni téged, hogy valódi változást hozzon valakinek az életében. Vegyük le a figyelmünket saját magunkról és úgy szeressünk másokat és úgy törődjünk velük, mint Jézus</div></div></div>Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-72463702422961256182013-05-30T12:39:00.003+02:002013-05-30T12:52:10.416+02:002013 spring/summer update <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> we'd like to share with you some of the happenings in our life & ministry here in Szeged.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Family news</i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">better late than never! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> this month I (Kyle) finished my studies at Calvary Chapel Bible College Europe and received a BA in Theology. I was honored to be part of the first class to graduate from the accredited degree program. I wrote my thesis on Biblical leadership focusing on lots of practical things from the book of Nehemiah. I'm been encouraged to expound on some things (I was limited on space in my thesis) and consider self-publishing this as a short book. It's something I might do over the summer but my real desire would be to have it translated into Hungarian so I can help provide a resource for Hungarian church leaders (good resources are hard to come by in Hungarian).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> we were hoping to make a trip to California this summer but it's just not going to work out for us this year so we're going to being to focus and save for a trip next summer. we're kind of disappointed that we can't go this summer but on the other hand we're excited to be going to Austria in August for the missions conference at the Castle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">recently we found out about a change in the immigration laws here in Hungary and now because we've been married for over 10 years (coming up on 14 years this summer) I (Kyle) am eligible for the expedited citizenship process meaning I don't have to take a test in Hungarian history and politics that most Hungarians couldn't pass and even better I don't have to pay for the test (about $240 or the entire process). So a couple weeks ago I applied and I should get Hungarian citizenship in 4-6 months. People might think I have to give up my US citizenship but that's not the case. I will be a dual citizen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">now that the kids are a little older Odi has picked up the guitar once again and has been practicing a lot. Recently she began participating in the worship ministry at church and now regularly leads the music at church at least twice a month. God really as blessed her with an ability to lead in worship & I know the church is blessed when she leads. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">at the end of June we're looking forward to going to a leadership conference with some of the leaders of Golgota Szeged.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We know that finances are tight for many people right now and there are many requests for funding, but we'd like to once again ask if you'd prayerfully consider committing to a monthly donation of $20 to us for 2013. This will allow us to minister to others in a way in which we feel will be beneficial for the Kingdom in Szeged & our region</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>church news</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">summer is traditionally a down time for us as a church because many students are gone and people go on vacation. but so far this summer is shaping up to be busier than normal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in June the Szeged Baptist church as asked us to partner with them in 2 one week outreach events. the first will be here in Szeged. They will have family programs throughout the day and teaching in the evening. Every afternoon from June 17-21 we'll be teaching kids how to play American Football. On Thursday night I'll be giving a talk called "meeting with friends". I'll be focusing on what Biblical friendship is and how God calls us into friendship with Him through the Gospel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the second week of outreach will be in Hódmezővásárhely. The Baptists have a church there and they want to help us plant a Golgota there & to do so they've invited us to be involved in the week long outreach event there. They will have a "Golgota night" there as well where one of our elders, Norbi (who is leading the core group in Vásárhely) will be preaching. The Baptists are doing some advertising there with the local radio station. The organizer of the event there called me and asked if I'd be willing to come over for an hour-long interview on the radio to talk about this outreach. He said that the radio was very interested in having an American on their show, so next Wednesday morning I'll be going to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hódmezővásárhely for a radio interview.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LHQEW6TiU28/UacrliEDc9I/AAAAAAAADNQ/2wIbp7BqfBI/s1600/5366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LHQEW6TiU28/UacrliEDc9I/AAAAAAAADNQ/2wIbp7BqfBI/s320/5366.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Fekete Sas Cultural Building in <span style="text-align: start;">Hódmezővásárhely</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">one thing we're really excited about is launching small groups (we're calling them "cell groups") in September. our desire is to see authentic Christian friendships form in a group that is focused on the Word of God. Our cell groups will be based on the sermon from the previous Sunday. So this fall we're going to be studying through the Sermon on the Mount on Sunday mornings and then we'll be looking at how those principles work out practically in the context of our cell groups. there seems to be great intrest and buzz for the cell groups so we're excited! We're going to spend the months of July & August training cell group leaders and hosts so we can launch in September. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we continue to be blessed by the reports of God using our online live-streaming of our services & our YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWIyjV_CHWqh75BoM3xLu_g) to reach believers all over the world. In the past couple of months we've heard from Hungarian Christians from Canada & Sweden who are regularly listening to our services along with many others from within Hungary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we're hoping that our church website can be redesigned and updated soon with more and new content. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">prayer requests</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - for wisdom with possibly writing a book on leadership</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - for Odi to grow in her worship leading skills & for a new guitar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - for God's continued provision for our family</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - for fruitful outreaches as we partner with the Baptist church here in Szeged & </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hódmezővásárhely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - for wisdom & favor as I do a radio interview in </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hódmezővásárhely on </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Wednesday June 5th.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - that God would bless the cell groups that are launching in September</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - for God's continued blessing upon our social media as the Word is going out </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> online & on YouTube.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - that we'd be able to get our church website redesigned soon </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">thankful for you all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in Jesus,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> kyle, odi, zara, kiera</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">stay in touch</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you'd like to have more frequent updates about our lives and ministry here in Szeged here are how you can do so...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Kyle's facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/kyleodi</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Kyle's twitter - @kyleeckhart - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> https://twitter.com/kyleeckhart</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Golgota Szeged's facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Golgota-Szeged/136419214162</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Golgota Szeged's webpage - www.golgotaszeged.hu</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">giving</span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you'd like to support our ministry monthly or a one time gift you can do so through the following websites...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa (in the pull down menu please select us)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Calvary Chapel Vista </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> https://webview.shelbyinc.com/app/04423/Default.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=17</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> here you need to designate your offering to "missions" and in then in the note please say that it's for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-37117642461502540582013-05-10T12:32:00.001+02:002013-05-10T12:35:01.922+02:00is it worth it? | megéri?<span style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">(magyar lent van)</span><div><span style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">is it worth it?</span><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">I know it's been a couple of weeks since I've written. Honestly, I didn't feel like I had anything to write. but that's ok. I was recently thinking about results. the truth is in today's world if results aren't see immediately then you're considered a failure. if results don't increase year on year, then your a failure. but the question for me, as a child of God, someone who has given the last 18 years of their life serving God in Hungary, should I measure my success this way? Long ago I came to understand that what God considers success and what the world considers success are two completely different things. I don't just say this as a way to soothe my soul because I don't see results like the world. I say this because it's true.</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">After Paul the Apostle explained the reality & the result of the resurrection of Jesus, he told the Corinthian church this, "therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding int he work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58). Because Jesus is alive, what we do for Him is NOT in vain even if we don't see the results. </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">I must admit that I've gone through many a time where I've questioned if my labor for the Lord in Szeged mattered. I've recently (and graciously) been reminded that it does. Recently a new couple came to church on a Wednesday night.Being newcomers I greeted them and asked how they heard about the church & if they were from Szeged. They told me that they were originally from Szeged but they regularly listen to us online because they live in Canada and attend a Hungarian church there. They heard about Golgota Szeged because on of the pastors there has been listening to our services and been preparing his messages from what he's been hearing. Now I must admit this completely blew me away!!</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Also I've been witnessing, again and again, how the Gospel is slowly but surely changing people into the image of Christ. How marriages are being restored, how people are coming to faith.</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">So let me encourage you, that you might not ever see the result of your labor for the Lord wherever you are but be assured that God sees your faithful labor for His Kingdom and your labor is not in vain. So stop thinking that it is and get back on mission and take the Gospel to where God has you.</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">your fellow laborer,</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">kyle </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><div>Megéri?</div><div><br></div><div>Tudom, hogy már néhány hete, hogy nem írtam, őszintén szólva, nem igazán volt mit írnom. De jól van ez így. Mostanában az eredményeken gondolkozom. Az az igazság, hogy manapság, ha nem látnak eredményeket azonnal, akkor bénának találnak. Ha az eredmények nem növekednek évről évre, akkor sikertelen vagy. De számomra, Isten gyermekeként és olyan valakiként, aki életének utóbbi 18 évét Isten szolgálatának szentelte Magyarországon, az a kérdés, hogy így kell-e mérnem a sikert? Már régen rájöttem arra, hogy amit Isten tekint sikernek és amit a világ, az két teljesen más dolog. Nem csak azért mondom, hogy megnyugtassam a lelkem, mert nem látok a világ szerinti sikereket, azért mondom, mert ez az igazság.</div></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><div>Miután Pál apostol elmagyarázta Jézus feltámadásának valóságát és annak eredményét, azt mondta a korinthusi gyülekezetnek: "Ezért, szeretett testvéreim, legyetek szilárdak, rendíthetetlenek, buzgólkodjatok mindenkor az Úr munkájában, hiszen tudjátok, hogy fáradozásotok nem hiábavaló az Úrban." (1 Korinthus 15:58). Mivel Jézus él, amit érte teszünk, az NEM hiábavaló, még akkor sem, ha nem látunk eredményeket.</div><div><br></div><div>El kell, hogy ismerjem, sokszor átmentem már olyan időszakokon, amikor megkérdőjeleztem, hogy vajon az Úrért való munkám Szegeden számít-e? Isten mostanában (kegyelmesen) emlékeztetett arra, hogy nagyon is számít. Nemrégiben egy új házaspár jött a gyülekezetbe az egyik szerda este. Újak lévén, köszöntöttem őket és megkérdeztem, hogy honnan hallottak a gyülekezetről és hogy szegediek-e. Azt mondták, hogy eredetileg szegediek, de rendszeresen online hallgatnak bennünket, mert Kanadában élnek és ott járnak egy magyar nyelvű gyülekezetbe. Onnan hallottak a Golgota Szegedről, hogy az egyik ottani pásztor a mi alkalmainkat hallgatja és abból készül az Istentiszteletre. El kell, hogy ismerjem ettől teljesen elámultam!!</div><div>Annak is újra és újra tanúja voltam, ahogy az Evangélium szépen lassan az embereket Krisztus képére formálja. Hogy álltak helyre házasságok, emberek hogyan jutottak hitre.</div><div><br></div><div>Had bátorítsalak azzal tehát, hogy lehet, hogy sosem fogod meglátni az Úrért végzett munkád eredményét akárhol is légy, de tudd, hogy Isten látja, hogy hűségesen munkálkodsz az Ő Királyságáért és a munkád nem hiábavaló. Ne gondold tehát, hogy nem számít, hanem menj vissza a misszióba és vidd el az Evangéliumot oda, ahová Isten helyezett téged. </div><div><br></div><div>munka-társad</div><div><br></div><div>kyle </div><div><br></div></div></div>Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-4737420410831668002013-04-18T15:31:00.004+02:002013-04-18T15:36:36.366+02:00go!<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">go! | menj! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(magyar lent van)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week I was honored to share with the interns of Calvary Chapel Bible College Europe after they spent some time studying missions. I was asked to come and impart the wisdom of some things I've learned over the years. Joining me was a lady who was raised on the mission field & as an adult spent many years ministering in the former Soviet Union. Some of the topics that came up where - the hardest thing about planting/pastoring a church, building teams, role of an assistant, and finances (always a touchy subject but something I want to write on soon). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our time together was closed by their overseer asking who has a desire to go into the mission field. Some raised their hands. One young man said that he wants to do missions but not in the "classical" sense. Which he defined as, leaving everything behind and moving to another country and ministering in a cross-cultural context. He was talking about the probability of going back home (the USA) and being a missionary there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pam shared with this young man that when Jesus told us to "Go" he was telling us to be proactive in sharing the Gospel in whatever place we find ourselves. What I told him is the message I want to share with you here. Christianity is a missionary faith because our God is a missionary God. Hebrews 3:1 calls Jesus the "apostle & high priest of our confession". What the author of the letter to the Hebrews is saying is that Jesus, God the Son, was sent by God the Father, to do a work, that was to pay the price for sin and save sinners. Because Jesus was the greatest missionary, He is the example that we're all to follow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus said in John 20:21, "As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you". This is a message that applies to all who would follow Jesus. So to be a Christian means more than just attending a church on Sundays. Being a Christian means joining in God's mission in the world as a missionary. You & I are sent by Jesus into the world with the Good News which we're to proclaim to people with our words and show them by our good deeds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So let me ask you;<span id="goog_944519615"></span><span id="goog_944519616"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a> where are you? Where you are is the place that God has sent you with the specific purpose of taking the light of the Gospel into that dark place. What the people around us need from us isn't to live our faith in church on Sundays but to live out our faith every day in their presence. I'm not saying we're going to do everything right all the time, what I'm saying is that we need to seek to take the Gospel wherever we go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, GO! Live, show, and preach the Gospel and let's see the changes that God is going to bring in the lives of those around us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">praying for you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">p.s. a friend of mine shared this video on Facebook and I want to share it with you as it describes what I'm talking about. well worth the 2 minutes</span><br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/oJWkQ9UP_m8/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/oJWkQ9UP_m8&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/oJWkQ9UP_m8&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ezen a héten az a megtiszteltetés ért, hogy a Golgota Teológiai Főiskola tanulóival osztottam meg gondolataimat, miután missziókat tanulmányoztak. Megkértek, hogy avassam be őket az évek alatt szerzett tapasztalataim bölcsességébe. Egy missziós terepen felnőtté vált hölgy is csatlakozott hozzám, aki felnőttként éveken át szolgált a volt Szovjetunió területén. Szóba került néhány olyan téma, mint pl. egy gyülekezet plántálásának és vezetésének nehézségei, csapatépítés, egy asszisztens szerepe, és a pénzügyek (ami persze mindig kényes téma, nemsokára szeretnék róla írni).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Az összejövetel a felügyelő azon kérdésével zárult, hogy ki szeretne misszióba menni. Néhányan felemelték a kezüket. Egy fiatalember azt mondta, hogy szeretne misszióba menni, de nem a „klasszikus” értelemben. Ez alatt azt értette, hogy mindent hátrahagyva elköltözni egy másik országba, és egy interkulturális környezetben szolgálni. Arról beszélt, hogy talán hazamegy (az USA-ba), és ott fog szolgálni.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pam elmondta ennek a fiatalembernek, hogy amikor Jézus azt mondta nekünk, hogy „menjetek”, akkor ezzel azt mondta, hogy kezdeményező módon osszuk meg az evangéliumot, bárhol is vagyunk. Amit én mondtam, ugyanaz, amit itt is szeretnék megosztani veletek. A kereszténység egy misszionárius hit, mert Isten maga is egy misszionárius Isten. Zsidók 3-1 Jézust a „mi vallásunk apostolának és főpapjának” nevezi. A zsidóknak írt levél írója azt mondja, hogy az Atya Isten az Isten Fiút annak a munkának az elvégzésére küldte el, ami a bűnök árának megfizetése és a bűnösök megváltása. Mert Jézus volt a legnagyszerűbb misszionárius. Ő az a példa, amelyet mindannyiunknak követnünk kell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A János 20:21-ben Jézus azt mondja: „A miként engem küldött vala az Atya, én is akképen küldelek titeket.” Ez egy olyan üzenet, amely mindenkire vonatkozik, aki Jézust követi. Kereszténynek lenni tehát nem csak annyit jelent, hogy vasárnap megjelenünk a gyülekezetben. Kereszténynek lenni azt jelenti, hogy misszionáriusként részt veszünk Isten missziójában a világban. Téged és engem Jézus a Jó Hírrel küldött el a világba, amit a szavainkkal és jó cselekedeteinkkel kell terjesztenünk az emberek között. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hadd kérdezzem meg: most hol tartasz? Hol tartasz most azon a helyen, ahová Isten azzal a határozott céllal küldött, hogy arra a sötét helyre elvidd az Evangélium világosságát? A körülöttünk lévő embereknek nem arra van szüksége, hogy vasárnaponként a gyülekezetben éljük meg a hitünket, hanem arra, hogy minden nap az ő jelenlétükben éljük meg a hitünket, és itt nem azt mondom, hogy mindig mindent helyesen fogunk tenni, hanem azt, hogy az evangélium megosztásának lehetőségét kell keresnünk, bárhová is megyünk. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tehát, MENJETEK! Éljétek meg, mutassátok meg, és prédikáljátok az Evangéliumot, hogy meglássuk a változást, amit Isten hoz azoknak az életében, akik körülöttünk vannak! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Imádkozom értetek!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kyle</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">u.i. egyik barátom megosztotta ezt a kis videó és szeretnék ezt veled megosztani veletek mert erról beszélek</span><br />
<br />Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-32988394771700415982013-04-12T13:38:00.004+02:002013-04-12T13:40:12.899+02:00prayer isn't always the answer<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've recently finished writing my Thesis for college and hopefully will be able to successful defend it next month. But the process of writing has brought me to a point where I believe God is leading to share my thoughts about life through this medium.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I'm going to make an effort to at least once a week write a post with my thoughts on certain things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If it's encouraging to you, great! If you want to debate what I think, that's fine too. If you want to stop right here & leave this page. That's fine with me too. If you stick around an read I hope you'll be encouraged.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here is my first post about prayer:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know you might think I'm crazy to say that prayer isn't always the answer but please let me explain. Over many years of ministry and working with people there is one thing I've learned about people. When they say that "I'll pray for you" what they are really saying is that "I hear your problem but I really don't care enough to do anything about it". That may sound harsh but this is the truth that I've encountered & sadly I must admit have expressed towards people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I look at the life of Jesus, I do see Him as a man devoted to prayer. So we SHOULD be praying, but whenever people came to Jesus with a physical need, He never said to them, "I'll pray for you." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Luke 5:12-16, when a leper came to Jesus seeking healing from his dreadful condition, Jesus' response wasn't "I'll pray for you", it was that Jesus "stretched out His hand and touched him" (v.13). The lesson here is obvious yet it's not a one time incident. We see this happening over and over in the ministry of our Lord Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe the lesson here is pretty obvious, if we, as followers of Jesus want to see real change in the lives of people we need to stop telling them that we'll "pray for them" but reach into their lives (which might get ugly and difficult) and be God's tool to bring about change in their lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So it's time to take inventory of our lives and our surroundings. Who are those people who are hurting? Who are those people who are in need? Who are those people who have problems and we've committed to pray for them? I would suggest that now is the time to stop praying for people and being to actually DO something to help meet their needs. What we see over and over again in the Gospels is that when people's physical needs are met then so too are their spiritual needs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Follower of Jesus, let me challenge you to stop praying so much & start actually being who you are, the hands, feet & heart of Jesus in the world. Yes, we need to pray but we mustn't stop there. Our praying for people should lead us to action to bring change in the lives of people that they might come to know Jesus.</span></div>
Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365136831446559527.post-88466274987111332362013-02-28T23:22:00.000+01:002013-02-28T23:22:00.045+01:002013 winter news<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> it has been a while since we've written about what's happening in our lives & the ministry here in Szeged. Part of the reason has been the tragedy that struck our family this winter. Odi's 11-year old sister was diagnosed with leukemia on December 11th and moved home to be with Jesus on January 16th. As you can imagine it's been a very difficult time for us. we created a blog to inform people about Emi's battle and we know that God has used this blog (www.prayforemi.blogspot.com) in a great way in that many people from all over the world turned to God in prayer for Odi's sister. Ultimately we know & have been assured by many testimonies that Emi is now with Jesus and is healed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> it's been over 3 years now since we've been to the States and we'd really like to go this summer but as we've looked into plane tickets we've seen how expensive it's going to be with 2 kids (upwards of $4000). We feel it's time for us to go back and reconnect with many of you, so we'd like to ask if you'd prayer fully consider giving to help make this trip happen. (there will be 2 links below if you'd like to give)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> as I've shared in the past, I've been spending more time encouraging other pastors and leaders in our church and our region, which I hope has been a blessing. this has come at a financial expense as I've given up teaching private English lessons to do so. We know that finances are tight for many people right now and there are many requests for funding, we'd like to ask if you'd prayerfully consider committing to a monthly donation of $20 to us for 2013. This will allow us to minister to others in a way in which we feel will be beneficial for the Kingdom in Szeged & our region. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I'm pleased to report that this is my last semester at Calvary Chapel Bible College Europe and if all goes well in a couple of months I'll be receiving my BA in Theology. All I've got left to do is to write my thesis. I've selected the topic of "Biblical leadership: lessons from Nehemiah". I've got till the end of March to submit my first draft. So we're hoping for the best. Having a degree means a lot to people here in Hungary, especially here in Szeged which has a very good University and is know for academics. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> the church here in Szeged continues to do well as we are witnessing God bringing growth in numbers and in depth. because of this we're again at the point where we need to make a decision about our rental agreement, which ends June 30th. More room would give us more room to grow and we're also needing more room for the kids on Sundays as we've got little ones & bigger ones and it's hard to keep them in one group.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> we're really excited about some new opportunities that we have as a church. the first is that we've started a YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWIyjV_CHWqh75BoM3xLu_g) and have begun uploading our church services there. So far we've had really good and positive feedback and are excited about how this could be used to expand God's Kingdom and the teaching of God's Word here in Hungary. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> another great opportunity we have is a church is to plant a church in a city 25km from Szeged called Hódmezővásárhely (yes it's hard to say!). We've been praying for the city for a couple of years now for a couple of reasons. First, it's close to Szeged & the two cities are naturally connected. Second, we've always had people from Hódmezővásárhely who've attended the church in Szeged. A few weeks ago one of our elders, who is an English teacher, out of nowhere got a job teaching at a high school there & we believe that this is an open door for us to begin planting a church there. So we're looking at building a core group with which to start a church there. We're even open to streaming in the teaching via video now that we can. But this is something we'll have to think/pray about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I (Kyle) hope to finish going through the Bible on Wednesday nights in the next year. To the best of our knowledge this will be the first complete through the Bible teaching available in Hungarian for free online. It has taken a while but we know that over the years many people in Hungary & Hungarians from all over the world have listened to the studies and have been blessed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> If you'd like to have more frequent updates about our lives and ministry here in Szeged here are how you can do so...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Kyle's facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/kyleodi</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Kyle's twitter - @kyleeckhart - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> https://twitter.com/kyleeckhart</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Calvary Szeged's facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Golgota-Szeged/136419214162</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Calvary Szeged's webpage - www.golgotaszeged.hu</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <u><i>prayer requests</i></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - that we'd continue to experience the comfort of the Lord and that we'd be </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> able to comfort others in their suffering.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - that God would provide for our family to go to the States this summer for </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> refreshment & reconnection.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - for the new church plant in </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hódmezővásárhely</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - for continued growth in the church here in Szeged.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - wisdom in regards to our rental agreement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> If you'd like to support our ministry monthly or a one time gift you can do so through the following websites...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa (in the pull down menu please select us)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Calvary Chapel Vista </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> https://webview.shelbyinc.com/app/04423/Default.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=17</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> here you need to designate your offering to "missions" and in then in the note please say that it's for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> thank you all so much for your prayers, love & support. We know that Jesus will richly reward you all as you take part in the ministry with us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> we hope to see many of you this summer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for Jesus' Kingdom!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> kyle, odi, zara, kiera</span>Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985438207420358817noreply@blogger.com0