Our partners in Transcarpathia

l-r: Benefit Society chairman Christian Ehrler meets with pastor Sándor Zán, bishop of the Reformed Church of Transcarpathia

Our partners are parishes of the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia (70-75% of the Hungarians living there are members). This is the evangelical church of the Hungarian-speaking population in this region.
As early as 1530 the first evangelical parishes began in the vicinity--one could say this represented the very beginning of the Reformation in historic Hungary, including Transylvania.

Since the separation from Hungary, the church has been independent. The bishop's headquarters are in Beregszász/Beregovo. Sándor Zán Fábián, the bishop, exercises this office in addition to his duties as pastor of a parish consisting of several villages.
At this time 72 pastors have charge of 103 parishes of the Reformed Church, as well as of several Roma (Gypsy) parishes.
Today the church faces new challenges. Since the political change there are many new possibilities for the Word of God, among which are: Bible sessions, Sunday school and religion classes.
Some members of the church started a Blue Cross effort, which is devoted to people suffering from alcoholism and substance abuse.
After the change, a large number of churches and rectories could be renovated and rebuilt.
The church operates two institutions for children who are handicapped or homeless or have learning disabilities, and also maintains four reformed high schools.

Reformed church in Vári

The work with young people has had significant growth. In February 2002 KRISZ, the young people’s organization in the Reformed Church was founded. KRISZ maintains a partnership with the young people’s society in Saxony CEU (Christian Endeavor Union).