URGENT APPEAL FROM THE WINCKLES IN HUNGARY
Dear friends and faithful supporters,
We are happy to announce the next step in the development of the Free Methodist Church in Budapest! On Sunday, September 22 Péter Tóth will be installed as pastor of the Budapest Free Methodist Church and Zsuzsa Mecséri-McNamara will be installed as the assistant pastor. Péter was ordained in 2015 and Zsuzsa became a Conference Ministerial Candidate in 2017. This is cause for great rejoicing, as we see Hungarians, who are trained and prepared, step into leadership of the church. This has been our dream from the beginning.
In addition to their pastoral responsibilities, both Péter and Zsuzsa have responsibilities on a Hungary-wide level. Péter serves as the administrator of the Bread of Life Foundation, which is the Free Methodist Mission’s legal identity in Hungary. Zsuzsa serves as the coordinator of the Hungarian Set Free Movement. They are both committed to using their gifts in serving God and advancing His Kingdom.
We want to see the Free Methodist work in Hungary continue to grow and flourish.
But we are facing a potential crisis.
Support for the Hungary Church Planting and Development account (Hungary CPD, formerly known as the Hungary CSA) has dropped off to the point that we are anticipating a $15,000 shortfall by the end of this year. There are several reasons for this.
- Some churches that faithfully supported us and the work in Hungary were closed during the past year.
- Some individuals who were faithful supporters of us and the work in Hungary passed away during the past year.
- Some churches have had financial difficulties of their own and have not been able to meet their pledges of support.
- Some churches have revised their missions priorities and have eliminated their support of us and the work in Hungary.
We want to see the following vital ministries continue:
- The day to day operation of the Budapest Ministry Center, which includes community-based ministries for all age levels as well as providing space for the Budapest Free Methodist Church.
- The operation of the Bread of Life Foundation, which provides legal cover for our work in Budapest, Győr, and throughout Hungary. This includes support for Péter.
- The continued operation and growth of the Hungarian Set Free Movement. This includes support for Zsuzsa’s part-time employment as coordinator.
We are sending out this Hungary SOS because we need your help!
If you don’t yet support the Hungary CPD (CSA), would you consider making a pledge of support?
If you do support the Hungary CPD (CSA), would you consider increasing your support or making a special gift/offering to help meet the funding need?
Whether or not you support the Hungary CPD (CSA), would you join with us in prayer that this funding need would be met? And would you perhaps encourage other individuals and churches to join in supporting the work of the Free Methodist Church in Hungary?
Donations and pledges of support for the Hungary Church Planting and Development Account (Hungary CPD) may be made online at https://fmwm.org/hungary/
Donations may be mailed to Free Methodist World Missions, 770 N. High School Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46214. Be sure to specify Hungary CPD.
If you are currently supporting us through the Winckles Missionary Support Account, thanks so much! We are also facing challenges in meeting our annual funding goal, due to the same reasons as listed above. We need your continued support!
Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
In His Service,
Larry and Katie Winckles
Free Methodist World Missions
Budapest, Hungary
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