Esztergom, the beautiful city on the Danube, north of Budapest – is home to one of the earliest Calvary Chapels in Hungary. And it was actually from Esztergom that the Calvary Chapel in Budapest began.
The pastor at CC Esztergom is Laci Gyugyi. Laci was born in the town of Sturovo, just across the river in Slovakia, and recently graduated from the Bible College in Vajta. As well as pastoring CC Esztergom, Laci has a heart and vision for seeing God’s Word taught in Sturovo and spread throughout Slovakia. We are blessed to be able to support him in his ministry.
interview with Laci Gyugyi
You’re from Sturovo in Slovakia – how did you get saved?
I was born in Sturovo, Slovakia. From 1992 to 1996, I was studying 170 km away from home and there I met a friend who got saved from a Punk Rock lifestyle. The big change in his life made me interested in what had happened. He shared the Lord with me in a different way than what I had heard before. I remember praying one night: “God if You exist that please show me your self.”
God touched my heart that night and since than I believed. December 16, 1996, I got baptized in a bath tub.
You studied in the Vajta Bible College. What was that time in Vajta like? In what ways do you think it prepared you for ministry?
I started Bible Collage in Austria. It was revolutionary for me. After seeing so many churches and ministries I was pretty confused about the Bible. In Bible college it started making sense and it started changing my life radically. In Vajta I finished Bible College and started my Internship.
I had my first opportunities to teach. I didn't give myself a chance but the leaders did and I'm so thankful for that. In the College I first understood that for ministry you only need calling and that was given to everyone.
You’re now pastoring the Calvary Chapel in Esztergom. What do you find the most challenging about being a young pastor? What do you enjoy the most about it?
I officially started Pastoring Aug 6, 2006. There are different challenges that come up from time to time but my most difficult is organizing. I'm so glad for Mozbauer Peti who is my assistant because he has no problem with that. So I just need to delegate and the Lord takes care of the rest.
From the beginning I knew that my most important role is teaching the Word and that is what I enjoy the most.
What’s the “spiritual climate” like in Sturovo and in Slovakia? Do you have any plans or dreams for the work there?
Slovakia was not hit by the reformation as much as Czech or Hungary so it stayed Catholic. There are many who are open to talk about God but only a few who would like to change. Also many are stuck into the materialism. Sad. Pentecostal churches that are more formal are doing better, but there will be a time in the future when people will be hungry for the Word and then the Calvary Chapel style of ministry will explode. One day I would love to see a Bible College in Slovakia.
Away from pastoring and ministry, what are some things you like to do?
My number one hobby is Downhill Mountain Bike. We go out to the local forest and build some trails. It’s fun and I can also build some friendships.
Are there any Bible verses or characters that have become special to you – as you journey with God – verses that help you walk and face the things that God is putting in front of you?
I’m not the highlight or underline type of a Bible reader. But of course there are special verses.
One of them is Heb 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever”.
Also Heb 13:9, “Be not carried about with diverse and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace”. And a Bible character: Daniel who kept himself pure.
Thank you Budapest church for standing behind me in ministry.
