JFM Hungary Ministry Trip July 11-19, 2026: A JFM team—Jennifer Sawle, Annie Creech, KP Paule, and Pastor Beth Conrad-Vannier—recently returned from an incredible week serving alongside our ministry partners in Hungary, hosting Vacation Bible School camps for children in critical need.
20+ Years of Partnership: JFM has maintained a faithful partnership with the current Hungarian ministry leaders Zsuzsa Merseri-McNamara and Peter Toth for over two decades. Together, they address urgent local needs in a country facing devastating challenges- Hungary ranks among Europe's worst for human trafficking violations and leads the continent in suicide, unemployment, and alcoholism rates.
Three Life-Changing Camps: The team hosted 2-3 day camps at the Salvation Army Women and Children's Home in Budapest and the Children's Home in Gyor, reaching approximately two dozen children and three mothers. Camp lessons focused on foundational truths:
• We are made in God's Image
• Jesus calls us to follow
• Let's pray the way Jesus prayed
Powerful Connections: Pastor Beth brought beloved J-Town activities to Hungary, including the popular "Four Corners" game—which stretched to nearly two hours due to the children's enthusiasm, usually a 20 minute game back home in JTown! KP and Jennifer led worship alongside Peter, while the entire team engaged one-on-one through crafts, activities, and games that demonstrated God's love.
Meeting Critical Needs: The team provided pizza parties, ice cream socials, and fresh fruit to children surviving on just $2.50 per day for food through government stipends. For four siblings (ages 5-15) who had just entered temporary care and hadn't eaten due to trauma, the safe environment created through camp activities resulted in breakthrough—by day two, they were eating heartily (six slices of pizza) and letting their guard down. Staff were amazed by the transformation. The interactions with the team is also quite rare of the children–minimal to no outside visitors is the general operation for these homes.
Lasting Impact: We're especially grateful for ministry partners Zsuzsi and Péter, whose servant hearts, warm hospitality, and faithful leadership continue creating environments of hope for vulnerable children. It has taken ten years + for ZsuZsa and Peter to gain the trust and build the relationships to allow these activities to take place. We can never truly measure the outcome of this outreach, but we know seeds are planted!
Grateful Hearts: The team returned with full hearts, encouraged by God's work through these vital ministries. Endless gratitude to everyone who welcomed, served, supported, and prayed for this mission. Thank you for investing in Christ-centered global partnerships that cultivate changed lives through the Gospel!
20+ Years of Partnership: JFM has maintained a faithful partnership with the current Hungarian ministry leaders Zsuzsa Merseri-McNamara and Peter Toth for over two decades. Together, they address urgent local needs in a country facing devastating challenges- Hungary ranks among Europe's worst for human trafficking violations and leads the continent in suicide, unemployment, and alcoholism rates.
Three Life-Changing Camps: The team hosted 2-3 day camps at the Salvation Army Women and Children's Home in Budapest and the Children's Home in Gyor, reaching approximately two dozen children and three mothers. Camp lessons focused on foundational truths:
• We are made in God's Image
• Jesus calls us to follow
• Let's pray the way Jesus prayed
Powerful Connections: Pastor Beth brought beloved J-Town activities to Hungary, including the popular "Four Corners" game—which stretched to nearly two hours due to the children's enthusiasm, usually a 20 minute game back home in JTown! KP and Jennifer led worship alongside Peter, while the entire team engaged one-on-one through crafts, activities, and games that demonstrated God's love.
Meeting Critical Needs: The team provided pizza parties, ice cream socials, and fresh fruit to children surviving on just $2.50 per day for food through government stipends. For four siblings (ages 5-15) who had just entered temporary care and hadn't eaten due to trauma, the safe environment created through camp activities resulted in breakthrough—by day two, they were eating heartily (six slices of pizza) and letting their guard down. Staff were amazed by the transformation. The interactions with the team is also quite rare of the children–minimal to no outside visitors is the general operation for these homes.
Lasting Impact: We're especially grateful for ministry partners Zsuzsi and Péter, whose servant hearts, warm hospitality, and faithful leadership continue creating environments of hope for vulnerable children. It has taken ten years + for ZsuZsa and Peter to gain the trust and build the relationships to allow these activities to take place. We can never truly measure the outcome of this outreach, but we know seeds are planted!
Grateful Hearts: The team returned with full hearts, encouraged by God's work through these vital ministries. Endless gratitude to everyone who welcomed, served, supported, and prayed for this mission. Thank you for investing in Christ-centered global partnerships that cultivate changed lives through the Gospel!
