Calvin Synod Herald, 2004 (105. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2004-05-01 / 5-6. szám
/-------------AMERIKAI MAGYAR--------------\ REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA A Kálvin Egyházkerület hivatalos lapja \______________________ CALVIN Mm AI n SYNOD httvALU Alapítva 1900-ban _______________________/ 105-ik évfolyam 2004. május - június 5-6. szám “Ő fogja legeltetni őket, ő lesz a pásztoruk. ” (Ez 34,23) Ezesztendő március 6-án iktatták be Nt. Kelemen Zoltán Sándort a Cleveland Nyugat-oldali Magyar Református Egyház lelkipásztori hivatalába. Szeretettel köszöntjük az újonnan beiktatott lelkipásztort és a gyülekezetei, és kívánunk nekik bőséges áldást és békességet mennyei Édesatyánktól! AUTOBIOGRAPHY Rev. Zoltán S. Kelemen Th.M. Peace to the Reader! As one of those Hungarian Reformed Ministers who started their service not long ago in the Calvin Synod, I was asked to introduce myself to the readers of our Herald. Hereby, I gladly comply with this request. I was born on April 30, 1972 in Hajdúnánás, in the Eastern part of Hungary, not far from the “Calvinist Rome”, Debrecen, as the second son of Péter & Gizella Kelemen, which means that I am a 100% native Hungarian. As a teen, I loved to play various ballgames, but my ultimate favorite was handball, so I attended a special sport class at the Csokonai Vitéz Mihály High School in Debrecen, planning a professional career. The Lord had different plans for my life. I was almost an adult when the great political changes took place in Eastern Europe. This was the time when my generation had to realize that lies were taught to us in school about our national history, the Bible and religion in general. It was THE eye-opening period of my life. I was encouraged by my grandparents to attend Confirmation classes at the age of 17, which still was not a regular custom for teenagers back in those days. I was raised unchurched. Getting to know God's awesome Word changed my life. It was crystal clear for me, that becoming a Christian meant becoming a minister as well, who devotes his whole life to Christ’s service. I started my Theological studies in 1990. My alma mater is the Reformed Theological Seminary of Debrecen. In 1996 I continued my studies as a scholar at the Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey. This is where I achieved my Master's Degree. Back in the old country, I had the privilege to begin my service in one of the largest Congregations of the capitol, at the Reformed Church of Budapest-Kelenföld as an Assistant Pastor. I learned and experienced a lot while serving there. This is where I met my gorgeous, prospective wife, Gabriella. Praise the Lord! At the beginning of 2002, the Hungarian Reformed Church of Lorain, Ohio called me to serve the Congregation as their Interim Pastor for 6 months. We had enriched one another, and I’ll be always thankful to them for the opportunity they gave me. While I was there, the West Side Hungarian Reformed Church of Cleveland, Ohio called me to become their Senior Pastor. I was unanimously elected in May, and began to serve here in September, 2002. Gabriella and I got married 3 (!) times in 2003! Civil and church ceremonies in Hungary, and reaffirmation here in the States. My commanding Scripture verse in my service in Cleveland is recorded in Acts:29 “We must obey God rather than men!”. Being a Pastor in a bilingual Congregation has many challenges. It is a difficult, but beautiful task. I pray for the future of our Church, and ask you dear readers to do so as well. That is the only way how to be kept and nurtured. Soli Deo Gloria!
