B u d a p e s t – Spiritual hunger toppled the atheistic communism of Europe. This position was expressed at the outset of the annual Council sessions of the European Baptist Federation (EBF) on 26 September in Budapest. As evidence Dr. Kalman Meszaros (Budapest), the President of Hungary`s Baptist Union, pointed to the evangelistic campaign of the US-American evangelist and Baptist pastor Billy Graham in a Budapest stadium in July 1989. At that time, 40.000 of the more than 100.000 in attendance followed Graham’s appeal to publicly express their decision to become a Christian. “They ran towards the front,” Meszaros reported. Changes in Hungary’s political system were one result of this spiritual revival. This was the first of the former East-block countries in which the movement towards democracy took root. Subsequently other countries also dropped communism “like dominos” and opted for democratic forms of government.

Msezaros insisted: Today’s Europe is faced with a similar challenge. The continent needs renewed consideration of the Christian faith, a re-evangelisation. Everywhere people are rebelling against God. Long-term change can only result from a close relationship to Jesus Christ. Meszaros is convinced that European Baptists will play a key role in necessary, future transformation processes: „God has big plans for us.“

A well-known Hungarian politician, Zoltan Balogh, Chairman of the committee for human rights and religious freedom in Hungarian parliament, underscored Meszaros’ words. Balogh, a Reformed theologian, stated: “True change begins in the individual heart,” Sociological studies had shown that confessing Christians are the most useful citizens in every society. They live healthfully and longer.

Dr. Denton Lotz (Falls Church/USA), former General-Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, recalled that worldwide Baptism is a spiritual unity movement: “When the church concentrates on Jesus Christ, unity occurs.” Yet when congregations and churches insist on their own convictions and cultural styles, divisions and splits result. Such a church cannot be mission-minded.

The departing EBF-President, the Estonian Helari Puu (Tallinn), wished the 140 delegates from 50 European countries „spiritual refreshment from heaven“. Church workers also constantly need reassurance that God is with them. Puu stated: „When God is with us, then everything is possible.“ According to the bylaws, Puu´s term as president ends with this year’s Council sessions. The Croat Toma Magda (Cakovec) is scheduled to be inaugurated as new president.

The musical programme at opening celebrations in the Museum for Contemporary Industrial Art was conducted by the central choir of Budapest’s Baptist congregations. The final piece, George Frederick Handel’s „Halleluiah“, was directed by a trained church musician: EBF General Secretary Tony Peck (Prague). The theologian had already directed the choir during festivities on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Baptist World Alliance held in Birmingham, England in 2005.

At the sessions from 26 to 29 September EBF-delegates will deal primarily with issues of human rights and religious freedom. The EBF represents 800.000 church members in 53 Baptist unions in 50 European and Middle Eastern countries.