Purpose & Objectives

Explore

Learn about Hungarian history and culture, including the introduction of Christianity to the Magyar (Hungarian) people in the 11th Century, and the perseverance of the church during the communist Soviet occupation of the 20th Century.  Local historians will serve as our guides as we visit various sites in Budapest, including St. Stephen's Basilica, The Church of the Assumption of the Buda Castle (Mattias Church), and Dohány Street Synagogue - the largest synagogue in Europe.  Discover Hungarian culture, cuisine and music as we visit local markets and merchants.  Meet our Hungarian ministry partners, including local pastors and ministry leaders.  

Witness

See for yourself the missions supported by our region and many of our churches.  View, first-hand, the impact our International Ministries Global Servants are making in the lives of the Hungarian people.  Allow God to use you as a witness -- to see God's work in action, and to share your own faith with brothers and sisters in this international context.  Observe how God is inspiring new and growing ministries.  Respond to God's call to serve on a global scale, making disciples of all nations.  Experience God's love that transcends language and culture.  Come and see what God is doing in Hungary.

Engage

Volunteer with school-aged children as they learn the Bible and grow in their faith during a week-long "Bible day camp" at the Pannonhalmi Béla Baptist Elementary School in Budapest, Hungary.  More than 35 children, ranging in age from six to fourteen, attend this day camp, which features daily crafts, music, games, Bible lessons and prayer time, and cultural field trips around Budapest.  Our volunteer team will serve alongside Hungarian teachers and church volunteers in providing leadership and support, ensuring these children are blessed with a loving and nurturing environment to grow in their love of Christ.  This annual experience is an unforgettable experience for both the children and the adult volunteers!

Grow

Guided theological reflection, devotions, and daily prayer will invite you to connect more deeply to your own spirituality.  Sometimes we need to pull away from our daily routines in order to more deeply connect with God's restorative presence and power.  In service to others, connect yourself more profoundly to the life-giving vine of Christ.  See what God can do in you as you give yourself to God's service.

Information

Dates and Cost

Depart for Hungary on  August 3, 2023, return on August 13, 2023.  

Cost per person: $2,500 - Includes round-trip airfare from Chicago (ORD), ground transportation in Hungary, all lodging accommodations, two meals daily, and all group activities including admission to cultural & historic sites.

If you feel God is calling you to participate on this trip, yet the cost is prohibitive for you and/or your congregation, please speak with Rob Kirbach (contact information below).

Travel Requirements

This trip is designed for members, leaders, and pastors of churches in the ABC-Great Rivers Region.  Youth (ages 14 - 17) are welcome on this trip as long as long as accompanied by a parent or designated guardian.  Participants must have a valid US Passport that does not expire prior to February 2024.  (If your passport expires prior to this date and you're interested in going on this trip, renew your passport ASAP!)   This trip is in cooperation with International Ministries and, as such, every participant must have proof of CDC-approved COVID vaccination.   

Physical Considerations

Because of the historic architecture of this destination, trip participants should be able to easily climb and descend stairs without assistance.  There will be lots of walking!  Participants should be able to comfortably walk 8,000 - 10,000 steps (4 - 5 miles) daily.  Each participant on this trip will also be expected to handle his/her own luggage.  Ramps and elevators are only occasionally available.  

Group Size Restriction

This trip is limited to 12 travelers.  Registration (see below) will be on a first-come basis.  A wait list will be formed once we've reached our group size capacity.

Accommodations & Transportation

Budapest is the largest city and capitol of Hungary.  The city features numerous restaurants, markets, parks, and other attractions.  Lodging likely be a multi-bedroom rental house or apartment with 2-3 beds per room.  Married couples/families generally room together.  Room assignments are otherwise based on gender.  Hungarian public transportation (including bus, tram, and subway) is very safe and convenient and will be heavily utilized on this trip. 

Dietary

Hungarian food is fairly similar to American-Midwestern food: lots of breads; meats including beef, pork, and poultry; seasonal vegetables and fruits.  Breakfast-type pastries are served all-day at corner bakeries and street vendors.  Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free alternatives can be difficult to find in Hungary.   

Weather/Climate

Hungary's climate is exceptionally comparable to central/northern Illinois.  During the time of our trip, you can expect daytime highs in the low-to-mid 80's and overnight lows in the low-to-mid 60's.    

Pre-Trip Orientation Sessions & Post-Trip Debriefing

In order to adequately prepare for this trip, participatin in pre-trip orientation/training is absolutely vital.  Each of these orientation/training sessions will last about 2 hours and will be conducted via Zoom meetings:

• Session 1: "Together on the Journey" -- Tourists vs servants; why are we going? -- Sunday, June 11, 6:00 PM

• Session 2: "Cross Cultural Relationship Building" -- Managing culture shock and stress -- Sunday, June 18, 6:00 PM

• Session 3: "Love One Another" -- Final details, itinerary, and instructions for travel -- Sunday, July 30, 6:00 PM

• Post-trip Debriefing -- Sunday, August 27, 6:00 PM

Questions?

Contact:

Rev. Rob Kirbach, 

Associate Executive Minister

American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region

Email: rob@abcgrr.org 

Voice/Text: (618) 208-0595

Registration

Registration Deadline

Deadline for registering for this trip is Friday, June 9, 2023.

Ready to travel?  Register for this trip by completing these two initial steps:

1. Send a PDF of your passport and COVID vaccine card to Rev. Rob Kirbach (rob@abcgrr.org) to verify your eligibility for international travel with International Ministries.

2. Send a $500 per-person non-refundable* trip deposit to the GRR office in Springfield.  (See payment instructions below.) 

*Deposits will only be refunded: a)if the trip is cancelled, and b) for waitlisted persons who do not travel on this trip.  

Payments

You may choose to pay for your trip in installments, using the following suggested dates.   Payment-in-full is due by July 21, 2023.  

If paying by installments:

1. $500 - Deposit, due at time of registration

2. $500 - Due May 19

3. $500 - Due June 9

4. $500 - Due June 30

5. $500 - Due July 21

All payments, including the initial deposit, should be sent to Nancy Fromme in the GRR office.  Checks should be made payable to ABCGRR with "Hungary Trip" in the memo line.  

Mailing address: American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region,  Attn Nancy Fromme, PO Box 13457, Springfield, IL 62791.