Lausanne World Pulse – Tools for Reaching Oral Learners

Attila’s Story: Sharing the Gospel with the Deaf Community in Hungary

Attila first began to seek the Lord in 2004 when a number of the Deaf Hungarians in Budapest began to talk about the people who were followers of Christ. These individuals were not doing the traditional church routine; instead, they were experiencing changed lives. Attila, a self-declared atheist, was curious. On New Year’s Eve there was a large celebration among the Deaf Hungarian Christians who were participating with a group of international students at a Deaf Christian training center in . It was here that the seeds of the gospel first began to settle in Attila’s heart. One of the Deaf Christians, Zoltan, was a longtime friend of Attila’s and began sharing Bible stories with him. When Attila heard them his heart was pierced; they made him hungry to know more.

It is important to know that Zoltan is not considered by the other Deaf in the community as very bright. He did not do well in school and some of the Deaf believers have been surprised when he has come up with insightful comments from the Bible stories. He did not have a lot of self-confidence to begin with; however, the issue was never about him, but about who lived in him.

After about of year of discipleship Attila became overwhelmed with a sense of his sin and guilt. It was clear that he needed Jesus. In February 2006 Attila fell to his knees and signed to heaven, “Forgive me! I choose to follow you all the way! Give me new life! I believe in you!” Attila was baptized and has demonstrated a humble, teachable attitude. Another Deaf believer, Szabi, has begun training and discipling Attila.

God uses young men and women like Zoltan who can use scripture to convey the truths of God and who watch as the Spirit of God pierces the dark hearts of lost friends. He uses atheistic, skeptical young men like Attila who, once they come to embrace God’s life-changing power, will be transformed into vessels God will use to shake the darkness away in Deaf Hungary. He uses leaders like Szabi who, after understanding the liberty and empowerment of the Spirit of God, cast off the shackles of a legalistic, structured church organization in order to lead others. He uses Deaf believers in Budapest who may not fit the mold for what a church is supposed to look like, but who are impacting their Deaf communities. God uses people who are willing to be light in the darkness every day of the week.

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Attila’s Story: Sharing the Gospel with the Deaf Community in Hungary

Attila first began to seek the Lord in 2004 when a number of the Deaf Hungarians in Budapest began to talk about the people who were followers of Christ. These individuals were not doing the traditional church routine; instead, they were experiencing changed lives. Attila, a self-declared atheist, was curious. On New Year’s Eve there was a large celebration among the Deaf Hungarian Christians who were participating with a group of international students at a Deaf Christian training center in . It was here that the seeds of the gospel first began to settle in Attila’s heart. One of the Deaf Christians, Zoltan, was a longtime friend of Attila’s and began sharing Bible stories with him. When Attila heard them his heart was pierced; they made him hungry to know more.

It is important to know that Zoltan is not considered by the other Deaf in the community as very bright. He did not do well in school and some of the Deaf believers have been surprised when he has come up with insightful comments from the Bible stories. He did not have a lot of self-confidence to begin with; however, the issue was never about him, but about who lived in him.

After about of year of discipleship Attila became overwhelmed with a sense of his sin and guilt. It was clear that he needed Jesus. In February 2006 Attila fell to his knees and signed to heaven, “Forgive me! I choose to follow you all the way! Give me new life! I believe in you!” Attila was baptized and has demonstrated a humble, teachable attitude. Another Deaf believer, Szabi, has begun training and discipling Attila.

God uses young men and women like Zoltan who can use scripture to convey the truths of God and who watch as the Spirit of God pierces the dark hearts of lost friends. He uses atheistic, skeptical young men like Attila who, once they come to embrace God’s life-changing power, will be transformed into vessels God will use to shake the darkness away in Deaf Hungary. He uses leaders like Szabi who, after understanding the liberty and empowerment of the Spirit of God, cast off the shackles of a legalistic, structured church organization in order to lead others. He uses Deaf believers in Budapest who may not fit the mold for what a church is supposed to look like, but who are impacting their Deaf communities. God uses people who are willing to be light in the darkness every day of the week.