Relationship Evangelism, or Friendship Evangelism, can be defined the process of developing meaningful relationships with other people in which the Gospel is demonstrated through your life.* People 'build bridges' (develop relationships) with other people that allow the 'traffic' (i.e., the Gospel) to flow freely and naturally. There are many approaches to sharing the Gospel that I have seen here in Hungary, but Friendship Evangelism is by far the most used approach. As I have been participating in the ministry here in Hungary, I have observed that the missionaries here have a genuine love for the people of Hungary and a desire for them to come to have a personal relationship with Christ by salvation through the Gospel. They have fully immersed themselves into the Hungarian culture and can relate to the Hungarian people extremely well. They are making an eternal difference in people’s lives.
This week I have been staying in the city of Eger. After the English Camp in Eger, I came home with Nick and Rosemary and their kids Nate, Felicia, and Balázs. I am having a wonderful time in this great city, which is about 2 hours from where I have been staying in Szolnok. It is exciting to check out the ministry in Eger! Nick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Eger, and Shane is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Szolnok. It has been great to get to know so many amazing people. Both churches have wonderful fellowships with a family atmosphere, everyone is close and hang out throughout the week. The Sunday after English Camp, all of the helpers including teams from Hungary, the U.S., and other countries all came to the service at Calvary Chapel Eger. The campers and their families were also invited to come to the church, and many did so. It was very exciting to have a "packed house" of people, many of which heard the Gospel for the first time that day! It was a great message, great worship, and great fellowship! They also started a youth group for the first time the week after camp, and I was able to check it out. It was also packed with youth, which was very encouraging!
As I have been in Eger for a little over a week, I have had a chance to see some of the ministries going on in Eger up close. At the church service on Sunday, there was a great time of fellowship. There was food and coffee available at the church, and everyone hung out and got to know the new people. We also said good-bye to the team from Denver, CO who came for the camp, and they went back home to the U.S. I have been able to get to know so many people this summer in Hungary, I am so blessed to know them all!
Throughout the week, there have been many opportunities for fellowship and evangelism. In addition to participating in church services, I also have been able to hang out with a lot of different people in relaxed settings such as in people's homes, in restaurants, or at the mall. In the week after camp was over, I went to the mall with some girls that I met at the camps and had the chance to share the Gospel with them. Although the Gospel was presented at the camp, it was great to spend time with them and share the Gospel in a more personal setting. I also was able to go to a sleep-over party for one of the girls in the church's 30th birthday. I also have been able to go to other get-togethers with different people from the church, and it is wonderful to see how the churches in Eger and Szolnok are very close, like a family.
Having the opportunity to get to know so many people solidifies that relationships are a key part of both of the churches, in Szolnok and Eger. The missionaries are committed to building relationships with the people in their community. The key part of these relationships is sharing the Gospel through word and deed. It has been very interesting to observe and take part in all the ministries happening here. I feel that they are living out the 2 Scriptures below, and by God’s grace I have been able to live them out on this trip as well:
“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? “ – Romans 10:14-15a (NKJV)
“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15, (NKJV)
I am having an amazing experience here in Hungary, I miss everyone! I hope you all are well! May God continue to feed your hungry hearts and my Hungary Heart! <3
*Some research for this blog is from: http://executableoutlines.com/re/re_02.htm
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