THE HOUSE CHURCH
Debrecen
OUR STORY
Dan and Rose Smith
(April 2005 – June 2006) (September 2008 - January 2010)
The International Church of Debrecen began in the spring of 2005 as a new church plant by Dan and Rose Smith. One of the main goals of the church plant was to establish a ministry to the international students. As the majority of the students are English speakers, we desired to reach them; that they might be ambassadors of God's Kingdom to their home countries and beyond.
Services were first held in the basement at 14 Kandia Street with friends of the Smiths. Dan and his family had lived in Debrecen from 1991 to 1996 prior to starting the church. The first medical students were from Nigeria and Uganda. Later, other nationalities began to attend the services. The church provided a spiritual home for international missionaries serving in Debrecen.
A significant change took place when the church service was held in both Hungarian and English. This expanded our welcome to include Hungarians who had previously been restricted by the language.
Ed and Syble Courtney
(June 2006 – August 2008)
Even among married couples it is rare to find two people who work together in such unity. Ed and Syble opened their hearts and their home to the members of the congregation. They developed open-hearted and lasting friendships. Deep wounds were healed and hearts were refreshed. Pastor Ed has since passed away; we find comfort that he is at peace with the Lord.
Steve & Penny Everett
(January 2010 – December 2011)
It was during Pastor Steve’s leadership that we named the church 'The House'. The church service; which had been on a Saturday, was moved to Sunday. Pastor Steve believed the church must be a place where people find love and acceptance. He stirred up the church with a new enthusiasm and passion for sharing Christ's love to all. His powerful teachings were uplifting and a blessing to us all. Steve and Penny were shining beacons of love to the church and the community around them.
Mihály and Emese Preg
(December 2011 - present)
Today Mihály Preg is pastoring the church. He was the assistant pastor for Steve Everett and when Steve left, the full responsibility of the church fell on him. Praise God with the help of the Lord the work did not stop. In March 2012 we moved from Hotel Aranybika to 61 Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street. Our goal is to build a church where there is joy, peace and love and where people want to come. We would like to be Christ-like examples for all.
