“That new ally for the Suffering Church is the Government of Hungary. I never imagined that an Eastern European government would become one of the strongest, most truthful, and most generous advocates for persecuted Christians.” As Faith McDonnell, co-leader of the Suffering Church Network embarks on her thoughts on gafcon.org. Then, she goes on and sites a few memorable facts of how “this freedom-loving Christian country is doing so much for the Suffering Church” Here are the bulk of her ideas:

Like the Samaritan in the parable, (Luke 10: 25-37) Hungary looks upon our persecuted brothers and sisters dying on the side of the road with compassion. Perhaps the Samaritan’s heart was tender to the brutalized man because of his own experience as part of a culture hated by the Israelites. “Compassion” indicates that he “suffered with” the victim. 

Hungary demonstrates compassion by action. It’s the only country with a national-level office to support persecuted Christians.

The Honorable Tristan Azbej is State Secretary, in the Prime Minister’s Office for the Aid of Persecuted Christians. He directs the “Hungary Helps” program, set up in 2017. By April 2018 they reported, “The scheme has so far disbursed aid of 24 million USD  (8 billion HUF) to 35,000 Christians making a living in their homelands, fostering projects in five Middle Eastern and two sub-Saharan countries.” 

In addition to helping Christians remain in their homelands and preserve Christianity where Christianity began, the Hungarians are helping empower future generations.

Hungary Helps’ Scholarship for Christian Young People in 2019 provided scholarships to Hungarian universities for almost 300 Christian students from persecution areas such as Iraq, Egypt, and Nigeria. They intend to increase the number of scholarships annually.

Hungary’s 2nd International Conference on Christian Persecution in Budapest, November 2019

When I attended Hungary’s 2nd International Conference on Christian Persecution in Budapest it was evident that Hungary is the only country with a government-sponsored, unapologetic initiative for persecuted Christians. Frankly, even uttering the word “Christian” instead of ever-present euphemisms “minorities” or “religious believers” is Hungary’s trademark. During the conference the Hungarian Government lit red the Chain Bridge spanning the Danube River to honor persecuted Christians. (As shown in featured photo)

And while never losing focus that it is Christians who suffer the most, they are also reaching out to persecuted Yazidis and others.

Hungary definitely sees persecuted Christians as ‘their neighbors’. It is my hope and prayer that other nations will go and do likewise. 

Faith McDonnell finishes her thoughts with a hearty prayer:
“Heavenly Father, thank You for the compassion and mercy of the Hungarian Government towards persecuted brothers and sisters. Guide and protect them as they seek to serve. Continue to provide resources to enable them to aid persecuted Christians, use them as an example to the world, and help them to stay bold in speaking truth. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Please read the whole article here.