Evangéliumi Hírnök, 1995 (87. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1995-05-01 / 5. szám
John and Margaret Cserepka The missionary call and the mission in Bolivia A call to overseas missionary service, first heard on the plains of Hungary has led a Baptist minister and his doctor wife out of their native land, through the Iron Curtain, to Canada and now to Bolivia. When God calls and a man obeys there is no door that God cannot open. The Rev. John Cserepka is a graduate of the Baptist Theological Seminary, Budapest, and Mrs. Cserepka, of a medical school in Romania. After the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 the Iron Curtain was lifted for a few days — long enough for the Cserepkas to escape to Austria where they gave evangelistic and medical services in refugee camps. They came to Canada in 1957 and have since become Canadian citizens. They arrived in Toronto at a time when Hungarian refugees were immigrating to Canada by the thousands. Mrs. Cserepka took many additional courses in a language new to her and served long hours of internship in order to get a license to practice medicine in Canada. She then established a medical practice. Mr. Cserepka became the pastor of the First Hungarian Baptist Church which soon outgrew its building. One of their interests was a Hungarian summer camp. The Cserepkas could have stayed in Canada and given valuable service, but the call to serve Christ on an overseas mission field persisted. They applied to the Canadian.Baptist Foreign Mission Board and were appointed to Bolivia. After they arrived in Bolivia in September 1963, they went to Cochabamba to study Spanish at the language school for missionaries. In 1964 the Cserepka family moved to the Methodist Clinicnear La Paz. Following this experience they moved to the Chapare jungle region where Dr. Margaret opened up a clinic. Mr.Cserepka did evangelistic work in the surrounding area. In June 1967 the Cserepkas came to Canada for their first furlough, where each toured the various areas telling their interesting story. Dr. Cserepka did some study in tropical medicine while on furlough. The work of the Chapare continued to flourish during the Cserepkas ’ second term, both in the area of medical and evangelistic witness. This term saw the establishment of the Floating Clinic, once only a dream, but now a reality. It continues to bring medical and spiritual healing to many villages situated along the lowland river ways of Bolivia, and inaccessible by road. After a period of five years in Canada, John and Margaret returned to Bolivia (August, 1979). John was doing pioneer evangelism and Margaret was involved in medicine in Yacuiba, a small town near the Argentine border. They returned to Canada in February, 1983for a year of home assignment. The Cserepkas have two children, Cathy and Barney, both living in Canada. April 1983 Induction Service Reverend John Cserepka, Pastor Emeritus K.L.O.Road Baptist Church Gordon Ficke: We are assembled here in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, the Head of the Church, to induct the Reverend John Cserepka into the position of Pastor Emeritus of this church and congregation. Rev. Cserepka, it is our belief that the calling into the Christian ministry and to particular service within it is both of God and the Church. Are you persuaded that your calling and ministry is to the praise and glory of Jesus Christ? Rev. John Cserepka: I am so persuaded. Gordon Ficke: Members of The K.L.O. Road Baptist Church, are you persuaded that Rev. Cserepka is the person God has called to serve as a pastor and leader in ministry? Will you please indicate your positive reply by standing. Because you, Rev. John Cserepka, and you, the people of this church, are the ones who are giving yourselves to shared ministry in this place and community, we invite you to respond to each other in our hearing. Rev. Cserepka, do you believe that the congregation of the K.L.O. Road Baptist Church are the people among whom you are intended by God to live and serve as Pastor Emeritus. In this belief do you accept this call by this fellowship? Rev. John Cserepka: I do. Congregation: We ask you, Rev. Cserepka, to join in God’s ministry here in this church. We ask that you give yourself in prayer to support the needs of this congregation. We ask that you stand with us as we seek to serve and bring honour to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Rev. John Cserepka: 1 will, the Lord being my helper. Congregation: This special day we lift up praise to God in the name of Jesus Christ for the ministry He has granted to you and Margaret. As an expression of our love and appreciation for you, John, and you, Margaret, we commit ourselves to supporting you in the mission we share and extend this title to the glory of God. Gordon Ficke: Rev. John Cserepka, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, on behalf of the Baptist Union of Western Canada and with the authority invested in me as Moderator of this church, I declare you inducted and appointed as Pastor Emeritus of this church and con - gregation. The Lord bless you both, and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen. Petfjesda Baptist Retirement Home Thank you for keeping Bethesda in your prayers. There are so many tasks to accomplish each day. With sixty-six residents, of whom 80% are over eighty years of age and a staff of thirty-three there is no limit to the variety of needs to be addressed. There is one common thread that weaves throughout — residents and staff alike need to be treated with respect. At Bethesda this respect is demonstrated by providing secure and untroubled surroundings. As each new day begins, I turn Bethesda over to God with thanksgiving — continued on next page Baptist WfiRLD CONGRESS AUGUST 1-6, 1995 BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA Celebrate Christ: The Hope of the World!
