Click here to access the updated Reaching the Nations country profile for Hungary. I believe this profile is among the best we have written to date due to many high-quality sources. Here is the Future Prospects section of this profile:
Hungary will continue to be an important nation for the Church’s establishment in Central and Eastern Europe due to the number and strength of active members and its geographical location. A future small temple in Budapest may be likely within the foreseeable future. Increasing secularism and disinterest in religion threaten membership and congregational growth. A limited number of converts scattered throughout the country challenge future ambitions for the creation of additional congregations. Cities that seem most likely to open to missionary work include Nagykanizsa, Salgotarjan, Szekszard, and Zalaegerszeg, as these cities are the most populous without a congregation or are in counties without a congregation. Additional districts in the southern part of the country in Pecs and Szeged will become more likely once additional branches are established. A branch may be reopened in Vac and additional, small branches created to reduce travel time and increase outreach in suburban areas of Budapest. Additional groups may be organized in cities with missionaries who travel to nearby cities with congregations for Sunday meetings such as Hodmezovasarhely, Kolmo, and Oroshaza. A lack of converts has contributed to no additional congregations and may continue to challenge ambitions for opening and establishing a permanent Church presence. Furthermore, current growth trends suggest little or no interest by mission and area leadership in outreach expansion given declining receptivity and fewer mission resources allocated to the region. Moreover, the Hungary/Romania Mission now services approximately 31 million people in the two countries and as a result resources have become more limited for the Church to expand outreach in Hungary. Success with the establishment of the Church in additional locations will require initiative and vision from local church leadership.
I know a few former missionaries that served in Hungary and loved it. Other Christian faiths/religions would send trained ministers who get church funding to grow membership in a language and culture that they already know...
ReplyDeleteEurope is a tough nut, but it does have a good share of temples.
We've got a missionary from Hungary serving in our ward. Nice guy, seems to be picking up English pretty well. Even blessed sacrament today.
ReplyDeleteI worked with two Hungarians overseas. I am not sure if they remember me at all, but maybe they might recall me more as an American than a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hopefully a favorable impression all the same.
ReplyDeleteThey were good, dedicated, professionals. I learned to say the greetings of the day in Magyar and it was fun to be responeded to warmly by random groups of Hungarians.
Yonaput! Youwashtit! Yourigot!
When I began sharing my thoughts on potential future temple locations around this time 3 years ago, I was advised by someone of their opinion that Budapest Hungary would be the next European nation to get a temple. Since that time, temples have been announced for Russia and Cape Verde (which, although geographically closer to Africa, is considered part of the Europe Area by the Church). It could be the Church will announce other European temples before one is announced for Hungary, but I appreciate Matt's note about the prospect of a small temple in Budapest being likely at some point.
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