Calvin Synod Herald, 2004 (105. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2004-07-01 / 7-8. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HÉRÁI D 5 AUTOBIOGRAPHY Rev. Csaba Krasznai I was bom on May 7, 1973 in Eger, Hungary. My first serious experience with Christianity was when my parents and grandparents encouraged me to do confirmation. I was 14 years old. It was at this time that my sister, who is a chaplain at the Ferihegy Airport in Budapest, applied to the Reformed Theological Academy in Debrecen. I attended high school at Zsigmond Remenyik High School in Füzesabony, Hungary, and it was during my high school years that the desire to study the Holy Word of God matured in me. Along with this desire, the decision for Jesus Christ and His cause took place in my heart. In the meantime it became apparent in my life that I was to apply to the Reformed Theological Academy in Debrecen. I attended religious classes on a regular basis, where our pastor prepared me for theological studies. My interest in missions and congregational evangelism became stronger in the course of my theological studies. Under the leadership of Rt. Rev. Dr. János Bütösi, I participated in mission days and visitations of congregations. My desire to lead a prayer group among theological students was realized in my third year. Our prayer meetings were attended by our professors also. After I completed my studies in Debrecen, I had the privilege of being awarded a scholarship from the Dr. Tibor Csikesz Memorial Foundation. Thanks to this opportunity, I spent two years in Washington DC studying missiology and evangelism. I graduated with Summa Cum Laude. I participated in the life of the congregation in Washington DC, where I served as a copastor along with Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan. During my studies abroad, I paid extra attention to mission work among the young adults and tried to involve them the congregational life. One of the fruits of this work was a Bible study which was regularly attended by 10-15 young people. A library was set up in the congregation under the leadership of the youth. In the life of the congregation I emphasized the sense of brotherhood, responsibility for each other and Hungarian national identity. However, the true focus of congregational life was the reading and preaching of God’s Holy Word in Hungarian. I carried out my ministry among the Hungarian people of God without respect to denominational background. During these two years, new programs were added to congregational life to make it more colorful, e.g. the celebration of Mother’s Day and Hungarian Holidays or involving scouts in church life. Our cooperation with the Hungarian Embassy of Washington DC became closer. Upon returning from the United States, I was trying to find my place in the Reformed Church of Hungary. However, my leaders suggested that I continue my ministry overseas hoping that my experience will help me in my future work. I received a new opportunity to serve in the Hungarian United Church of Toronto, Canada. Before I started to serve in my new ministry place, I got married. My wife, Beata Krasznai, graduated from Teacher’s Training College in Debrecen. In addition to her teaching qualification, she also received a diploma in religious education. During the six months as a supply pastor, my main ministry was to hold the Sunday morning services. My main purpose was to strengthen and encourage the congregation by the Word of God and to counsel the people in the community. To reach this purpose my wife and I regularly met with the members of the church. These meetings created a good atmosphere for deep conversations and pastoral care. Our purpose was also to enrich the congregation with Christian books and publications. We refreshed the book table of the church with faith deepening Hungarian literature and other Christian publications. During our stay in Toronto we visited different Hungarian celebrations and occasions and we tried to establish relationships there. Our goal was to invite more people to the congregation. Rev. Csaba Krasznai of the First Hungarian Reformed Church in Walton Hills, Ohio, along with his wife, Beata, and their daughter, Ráhel After our ministry came to an end, we went back to Hungary and I started to work with the Gazdarét Reformed Church of Budapest as an assistant pastor. In addition to this, I was also engaged with a missionary organization of Campus Crusade for Christ, Hungary. My main ministry was - besides the once a month Sunday morning services - toward the young people between the ages of 12 to 16. We had Bible studies and also prepared and organized outreaches. We arranged a 40-minute performance, which included pantomimes and dances with choreography. My wife helped to write and formulate the publications of the congregation. During my ministry at the Gazdarét Reformed Church, the leaders of the Hungarian United Church of Toronto sought me out with the news - after their senior pastor retired - that the majority of the congregation would like for me to undertake the pastoral ministry. I accepted the invitation; however, after our arrival it became clear that unfortunately the congregation and the representatives of the Canadian church body did not prepare and arrange all the official documents and applications for my pastoral ministry. Therefore, we had to take these circumstances into serious consideration when thinking about whether we could continue the ministry for a longer period or not. After eight month I decided to return to Hungary with my family. However, it is a great pleasure for us that our first baby arrived on September 11 during our stay in Canada. (Continued on page 6)
