Our History

International Church of Budapest was the first church to be recognized by the Hungarian government after the fall of Communism. While not characterized by any one denomination, we are a member of the Association of International Churches of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Our congregation includes Lutheran, Reformed, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Independent, Charismatic, Anglican and others whose commonality is our love for the Lord Jesus Christ and our use of the English language.

We are pleased at how the Christian churches of Hungary have accepted us. This has opened doors to assist them in many ways, such as supplying equipment to a Methodist church; co-sponsoring a crusade with Baptist churches; contributing to the expansion of the library for the Reformed Seminary and hosting seminars to equip the saints and churches. We have also given away 50,000 copies of Josh McDowell's book More than a Carpenter in Hungarian, more than 300,000 copies of Is Jesus God? in Hungarian, and provided hundreds of Bibles to churches, schools and individuals. Many young people from Youth With a Mission, Campus Crusade for Christ, Moody Bible Institute, etc., have worked through ICB in providing outreach ministries on the streets of Budapest as well as being a part of special Sunday morning services.

A significant event was to host a variety of older pastors and wives from across the nation who stayed true to the Christian faith during the oppression of Communism. This "Celebration of Honor" provided a tasty lunch in a nice hotel, and sponsored a special service to honor their steadfast work with the Lord while experiencing the duress of persecution. At times there was not a dry eye among us all.

We have helped children's homes in Hungary and Romania, worked with the refugee community, fed and ministered to the homeless and ministered in homes for the elderly. Our church choir has sung for several Hungarian churches as well as Christmas caroling in the city. We have presented talent fests, special ministries to women and to men, started a "Mom's and Tots" group, developed the prayer ministry of the church, and participated in "Bridges of Prayer" to travel across Hungary to bless this nation and all seven neighbor nations. We have participated in "March for Jesus" events, and shared together in our annual "Celebration of Thanks" event.

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