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About us

Who are we?

The history of the Protestant Congregation in Belgium (BPGY) dates back to the 1920s. The major and defining events and milestones of world history (the post-World War I period, World War II, and the following era) and Hungarian history (the 1956 Revolution, the period of the socialist dictatorship in Hungary, the regime change in the 1990s, and Hungary's accession to the EU in 2004) have all influenced, and continue to influence, the life, composition, size, and character of the congregation. Before the 1990s, most Hungarians fled to Western Europe, including Belgium, due to the socialist dictatorship. However, after the regime change and Hungary's accession to the EU, Hungarians moved to Brussels and Belgium partly for employment opportunities and professional experience in the West and partly for positions and delegations within the EU and its affiliated institutions. Although the congregation's character has changed over the years, it has always provided and continues to provide a stable background and a welcoming community for Hungarian Protestants living in Belgium.

It is important to mention these historical facts because they help us understand that this congregation does not function as an average, conventional congregation and cannot be compared to a local church. The congregation has a so-called "diaspora" character and identity. This is significant because the congregation is structured in such a way that there is a core group who live in Belgium for the long term (often for life), while the other members stay in Belgium only for a limited period (a few years). Moreover, those working in EU institutions frequently travel between Hungary and Belgium due to the nature of their jobs. This is crucial because, as a result, the congregation cannot carry out the same quantity or quality of missionary and social work as a typical local congregation.

Our goals:

By God's grace, our congregation is growing, and as a Protestant congregation, one of its main goals is mission work—proclaiming the gospel and leading people to the kingdom of God, as stated in the Gospel of Matthew: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." Regarding congregational gatherings, the most important event is the worship service, which is held alongside a children's program (Sunday school). Additionally, we hold a Bible study. Occasionally, we also organize congregational retreats in the countryside. Many people who move from Hungary to Belgium find our congregation through Facebook and our website. Although most of our services are conducted in Hungarian, we consider it important to engage in mission work beyond the Hungarian-speaking community, reaching across Belgium. A good example of this is the joint worship services and fellowship events with the host congregation, as well as the baptisms of children born into mixed marriages. Our congregation includes mixed couples, Belgian-Hungarian marriages, and many members also invite colleagues, friends, and acquaintances from the EU institutions to our gatherings.

Another key goal of our congregation is diaconal work—supporting and assisting those in need in a social sense. This includes helping current members in various ways, which can be summarized as providing assistance in daily life in Belgium. Examples include financial and non-financial support for seriously ill individuals, family visits, pastoral care, help with moving, and targeted fundraising. Some social workers from Hungary have also come to our congregation, either for professional internships in Belgian nursing homes or as part of school scholarship programs while working in Belgium. The congregation participates in religious education at the European School in Belgium and considers it important to invite children attending these schools to join the congregation. Our children's mission work also includes maintaining a close relationship with the scouts. Occasionally, we organize concerts within the congregation as well.

Our congregation has been a member of EPUB for years, contributing to the functioning of the church.

Our faith:

  • The Ten Commandments

  • The Lord's Prayer

  • The Apostles' Creed

  • The Augsburg Confession

  • The Heidelberg Catechism

  • The Second Helvetic Confession

  • The Barmen Declaration

OUR TEAM
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Ákos
Topolánszky

Clergyman

Tel: +36 70 4520146
E-mail: topolanszky.akos@gmail.com

István
Németh
Krisztián
Huszár

Caretaker

Tel: +32 473 688 596
E-mail: protestans.be@gmail.com

Presbyter

E-mail: reformatszkij@gmail.com

Béla
Béres
Ferenc
Borsos
László
Gál

Presbyter

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Presbyter

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Presbyter

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Hungarian Protestant Congregation of Belgium

Église Protestant de Bruxelles Musée Chapelle Royale

Cím: Place du Musée 2, 1000 Bruxelles

E-mail: protestans.be@gmail.com

©2023 by Belgiumi Magyar Protestáns Gyülekezet

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