My new life in Australia

 

The first Hungarian Baptist Church was established in the 1960’s.  Rev Ferenc Horvath was called to pastor the Church five years ago from Romania (Rev Horvath and his family were Hungarians living in Romania as many other Hungarians now do). The family came to Australia five years ago, and just recently Ferenc, his wife Ildiko and their son Adam received Australian citizenship.

Adam is 14 years old, and in grade 8 at Gleneagles Secondary School in Endeavour Hills. Here is a glimpse of a 1.5 Gen migrant teenager’s family life and the changes he has been adapting to; especially, serving the Church together with his parents and highlighting his enthusiasm about his English service experiences.

Coming to a foreign country for the first time, I didn’t really know what to think, nor expect. Arriving in Australia in 2012, my vocabulary mostly consisted of “Hi, my name Adam”, and for the first year and quarter I went to school here, it was quite hard to learn, since I could barely understand English, but over the years, learning became no problem. I have been asked many times where would I like to live now – Romania or Australia? At the start, I said, “I don’t know yet”, however that changed after we became permanent residents, and after a long wait, Australian citizens, since now it is clear to us that this is where God wants us, so we shall be here, until He says so.

Dad and mum are always busy in church work. Dad leading Bible study on Wednesday afternoons and preaching on Sunday mornings. Mum leading hymns with her guitar on Wednesdays, and teaching the children in Sunday school. My family and I try to visit the sick members of the church on a regular basis, as well as the elderly people and families that could not attend church. Dad and mum also clean the church on Saturdays, and I try and help them with as much as I can. These things can sometimes be hard and exhausting, but dad and mum never back down, as they know they aren’t doing it for earthly causes only, but for the heavenly Father.

Since the church is a Hungarian church, we hold all ceremonies in Hungarian, although we have had very few special occasions held in English. The church members are mostly made up of elderly people, but there are a couple of young/er families around too. We might not have hundreds of members, but Jesus said “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) and we trust in Him.

My new life in Australia

 

The first Hungarian Baptist Church was established in the 1960’s.  Rev Ferenc Horvath was called to pastor the Church five years ago from Romania (Rev Horvath and his family were Hungarians living in Romania as many other Hungarians now do). The family came to Australia five years ago, and just recently Ferenc, his wife Ildiko and their son Adam received Australian citizenship.

Adam is 14 years old, and in grade 8 at Gleneagles Secondary School in Endeavour Hills. Here is a glimpse of a 1.5 Gen migrant teenager’s family life and the changes he has been adapting to; especially, serving the Church together with his parents and highlighting his enthusiasm about his English service experiences.

Coming to a foreign country for the first time, I didn’t really know what to think, nor expect. Arriving in Australia in 2012, my vocabulary mostly consisted of “Hi, my name Adam”, and for the first year and quarter I went to school here, it was quite hard to learn, since I could barely understand English, but over the years, learning became no problem. I have been asked many times where would I like to live now – Romania or Australia? At the start, I said, “I don’t know yet”, however that changed after we became permanent residents, and after a long wait, Australian citizens, since now it is clear to us that this is where God wants us, so we shall be here, until He says so.

Dad and mum are always busy in church work. Dad leading Bible study on Wednesday afternoons and preaching on Sunday mornings. Mum leading hymns with her guitar on Wednesdays, and teaching the children in Sunday school. My family and I try to visit the sick members of the church on a regular basis, as well as the elderly people and families that could not attend church. Dad and mum also clean the church on Saturdays, and I try and help them with as much as I can. These things can sometimes be hard and exhausting, but dad and mum never back down, as they know they aren’t doing it for earthly causes only, but for the heavenly Father.

Since the church is a Hungarian church, we hold all ceremonies in Hungarian, although we have had very few special occasions held in English. The church members are mostly made up of elderly people, but there are a couple of young/er families around too. We might not have hundreds of members, but Jesus said “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) and we trust in Him.

Source: BUV News

Kilsyth South Baptist on Mission – Mentoring

Kilsyth South Baptist Church (KSBC) has always shared a positive and caring relationship with the School Principal and Staff at The Basin Primary School. Although the teaching of Jesus in primary schools has now been restricted by the Victorian State Government the “Kid’s Hope” mentoring program continues to grow at this school.

KSBC has been involved with the program at The Basin Primary School for over 11 years and the mentoring with young boys and girls who have had a personal or family issues or other challenges, their void has been filled by a mentor and in many cases this has made a strong and lasting change in their young lives.

The School Principal has commented on the difference this program has made in these young people’s day to days’ life and the staff also make a similar comment, KSBC has now 9 mentors at the school with others from the church trained and waiting to have a child to mentor.

We praise God for the example we can be at the school with children staff and parents, to be able to express the love of Jesus to them is a privilege and we continue to see the lasting impact it has in numerous ways.

I have been involved with Kid’s Hope for the past 6 years and have mentored two boys from the time they were in grade 4 to when they completed grade 6. This has been a wonderful experience and responsibility to spend one hour each week with them. Through the time we have had many chats, a lot of their issues have been solved and we have been able to develop a strong relationship and trust. An added blessing has been getting to know their mothers and other family members and build strong relationships with them also. I must say the hard part is helping them with their math’s as it’s a different ballgame since I was at school!!! 

One of our missions at KSBC is to CARE for other people and Kid’s Hope allows me along with others to fulfil this mission to young kids whose lives are not always on the receiving end of too much care and love.

Keith Richardson- Kilsyth South Baptist Church Kids Hope Mentor

Find out more about Kids Hope here

Source: BUV News

Kilsyth South Baptist on Mission – Mentoring

Kilsyth South Baptist Church (KSBC) has always shared a positive and caring relationship with the School Principal and Staff at The Basin Primary School. Although the teaching of Jesus in primary schools has now been restricted by the Victorian State Government the “Kid’s Hope” mentoring program continues to grow at this school.

KSBC has been involved with the program at The Basin Primary School for over 11 years and the mentoring with young boys and girls who have had a personal or family issues or other challenges, their void has been filled by a mentor and in many cases this has made a strong and lasting change in their young lives.

The School Principal has commented on the difference this program has made in these young people’s day to days’ life and the staff also make a similar comment, KSBC has now 9 mentors at the school with others from the church trained and waiting to have a child to mentor.

We praise God for the example we can be at the school with children staff and parents, to be able to express the love of Jesus to them is a privilege and we continue to see the lasting impact it has in numerous ways.

I have been involved with Kid’s Hope for the past 6 years and have mentored two boys from the time they were in grade 4 to when they completed grade 6. This has been a wonderful experience and responsibility to spend one hour each week with them. Through the time we have had many chats, a lot of their issues have been solved and we have been able to develop a strong relationship and trust. An added blessing has been getting to know their mothers and other family members and build strong relationships with them also. I must say the hard part is helping them with their math’s as it’s a different ballgame since I was at school!!! 

One of our missions at KSBC is to CARE for other people and Kid’s Hope allows me along with others to fulfil this mission to young kids whose lives are not always on the receiving end of too much care and love.

Keith Richardson- Kilsyth South Baptist Church Kids Hope Mentor

Find out more about Kids Hope here