2013 spring/summer update

Dear Friends,

 we'd like to share with you some of the happenings in our life & ministry here in Szeged.

Family news

better late than never! 

  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).

 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. 

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. 

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. 

at the end of June we're looking forward to going to a leadership conference with some of the leaders of Golgota Szeged.

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

church news

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. 

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. 

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 Hódmezővásárhely for a radio interview.

Fekete Sas Cultural Building in Hódmezővásárhely

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. 

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.

we're hoping that our church website can be redesigned and updated soon with more and new content. 

prayer requests

 - for wisdom with possibly writing a book on leadership
 - for Odi to grow in her worship leading skills & for a new guitar
 - for God's continued provision for our family
 - for fruitful outreaches as we partner with the Baptist church here in Szeged & 
   in Hódmezővásárhely.
 - for wisdom & favor as I do a radio interview in Hódmezővásárhely on 
   Wednesday June 5th.
 - that God would bless the cell groups that are launching in September
 - for God's continued blessing upon our social media as the Word is going out 
   online & on YouTube.
 - that we'd be able to get our church website redesigned soon 

thankful for you all!

in Jesus,

 kyle, odi, zara, kiera

stay in touch


If you'd like to have more frequent updates about our lives and ministry here in Szeged here are how you can do so...

 Kyle's facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/kyleodi

 Kyle's twitter - @kyleeckhart -  https://twitter.com/kyleeckhart

 Golgota Szeged's facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Golgota-Szeged/136419214162

 Golgota Szeged's webpage - www.golgotaszeged.hu

giving


If you'd like to support our ministry monthly or a one time gift you can do so through the following websites...

 Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa (in the pull down menu please select us)

 https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH

 Calvary Chapel Vista 

 https://webview.shelbyinc.com/app/04423/Default.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=17

 here you need to designate your offering to "missions" and in then in the note please say that it's for us.

is it worth it? | megéri?

(magyar lent van)

is it worth it?

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.

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. 

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!!

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.

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.

your fellow laborer,

kyle 

Megéri?

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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. 

munka-társad

kyle 

go!

go!  | menj!  

(magyar lent van)

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). 

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. 

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. 

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.

So let me ask you; 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.

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.

praying for you!

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

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).

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

Tehát, MENJETEK! Éljétek meg, mutassátok meg, és prédikáljátok az Evangéliumot, hogy meglássuk a változást, amit Isten hoz azoknak az életében, akik körülöttünk vannak! 


Imádkozom értetek!

Kyle

u.i. egyik barátom megosztotta ezt a kis videó és szeretnék ezt veled megosztani veletek mert erról beszélek

prayer isn't always the answer

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.

So I'm going to make an effort to at least once a week write a post with my thoughts on certain things.

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.

here is my first post about prayer:

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.

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." 

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.

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.

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.

 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.

2013 winter news

Dear Friends,

  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. 

 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)

 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. 

 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. 


church

 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.

 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. 

 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. 

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. 

 If you'd like to have more frequent updates about our lives and ministry here in Szeged here are how you can do so...

 Kyle's facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/kyleodi

 Kyle's twitter - @kyleeckhart -  https://twitter.com/kyleeckhart

 Calvary Szeged's facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Golgota-Szeged/136419214162

 Calvary Szeged's webpage - www.golgotaszeged.hu

 prayer requests

 - that we'd continue to experience the comfort of the Lord and that we'd be 
   able to comfort others in their suffering.
 - that God would provide for our family to go to the States this summer for 
   refreshment & reconnection.
 - for the new church plant in Hódmezővásárhely
 - for continued growth in the church here in Szeged.
 - wisdom in regards to our rental agreement.


 If you'd like to support our ministry monthly or a one time gift you can do so through the following websites...

 Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa (in the pull down menu please select us)

 https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6SSHN0DEHB4KG6DH

 Calvary Chapel Vista 

 https://webview.shelbyinc.com/app/04423/Default.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=17

 here you need to designate your offering to "missions" and in then in the note please say that it's for us.

 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.

 we hope to see many of you this summer.

 for Jesus' Kingdom!

 kyle, odi, zara, kiera

10 ways to love

I saw this on the instagram feed of one of my friends & share this with the church on Wednesday night. I think these are 10 great, practical ways to show love.

which ones are you good at? which ones do you need to work on?

10 ways to love l szeretet mutatni 10 féle módon 

1. listen without interrupting (proverbs 18) l hallgasd megszakítás nélkül (péld 18)
2. speak without accusing (james 1:19) l beszélj vádlás nélkül (jakab 1:19)
3. give without sparing (proverbs 21:26) l adj kimélés nélkül (péld 21:26)
4. pray without ceasing (colossians 1:9) l szüntelenül imádkozz (dol. 1:9)
5. answer without arguing (proverbs 17:1) l válaszolj vitatkozás nélkül (péld. 17:1)
6. share without pretending (ephesians 4:15) l oszd meg színlelés nélkül (efzs. 4:15)
7. enjoy without complaint (philippians 2:14) l élvezzed panaszkodas nélkül (fil. 2:14)
8. trust without wavering (1 corinthians 13:7) l bízzál reszketés nélkül (1 kor. 13:7)
9. forgive without punishing (colossians 3:13) l bocsáss meg büntetés nélkül (kol. 3:13)
10. promise without forgetting (proverbs 13:12) l ígérd meg feledkezés nélkül (péld 13:12)

emili

it's been a while since we've blogged (we're kind of bad about this) but we've recently had something affect our lives that we need to share.

Odi's 11 year old sister, Emili (pictured above), was diagnosed with leukemia and brought to the children's clinic in Szeged for treatment. 

needless to say this has been a shock to our family. we'd like to ask everyone who reads this to pray for Emili.

you can follow her journey and battle with leukemia at www.prayforemi.blogspot.com

thanks!

love,

kyle & odi