Building BRIDGES in Hungary with English

By Ruth Rust

Teaching English is a crucial part of evangelism in Hungary

How is this program carried out?

Teams from North America are invited to participate in the four-week BRIDGES (Building Relationships and Displaying the Gospel through teaching English) summer project. Each team teaches morning and evening classes in a participating church within a town or city in Hungary. The curriculum incorporates Scripture, and chapel allows for clear presentations of the gospel.

Who attends the program?

The desire to learn English from Americans draws people from every age and class including doctors, lawyers, soldiers and politicians.

A soldier said to his teacher, "Thank you so much you teaching me English, but you do something with my heart. You give me my life back." Attending an English class led to his willingness to attend a Bible study. The teacher has returned home, but the results continue as the church keeps in contact with this man.

What is unique about this program?

The key is basing the classes in the local church. At a graduation ceremony, 50 students responded to the gospel invitation given by a national pastor. The church not only has the opportunity to disciple these new believers, but they also have contact cards on everyone who attended the classes. Missionaries partner with national pastors and lay workers by channeling the outreach through the local body of believers to produce fruit that remains.