History of Hungary Hungary is a country, very different from many of its neighbors around. To understand, one must reach back many years into history. In the 9th Century, the Magyars came from the far east to settle along the banks of the Danube River. They brought an entirely different language, culture, and way of life to the lands of Central Europe. Then in the early 1500s, the Ottoman Turks defeated the Hungarian kings, brining Islamic, Turkish influence to the region. With the help of the Austrian Hapsburgs, the Turks were expelled in 1699 and soon after, the Hungarians became a formal part of the Austrian empire until the Austro-Hungarian Empire was dissolved in 1918. Quickly, the communist found their way into the Hungarian lands and ruled from 1919 – 1989. During WWII, the Hungarians were strong allies to Hitler’s Nazi regime. Spiritually speaking, the Hungarian nation has many Christian churches and things are growing. In Budapest, one might find Christian churches of many kinds. Despite of this, the nation is still largely unreached and the work is great.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Republic of Hungary
- Population: 9.8 million (via UN, 2005)
- Capital: Budapest
- Area: 93,030 sq km (35,919 sq miles)
- Major language: Hungarian
- Major religion: Catholic & Christianity
- Monetary unit: Forint
- Main exports: Machinery and transport equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals
- GNI per capita: US $10,030 (World Bank, 2006)
In PI’s work in Hungary, we work side by side the Blast Team and their Hungarian friendships. We currently have a Hungarian school that meets in the Blast Headquarters in Graz.
Pali Nemesh & Pali Katona
The Palis together pastor a vibrant church in Szekesfehervar, Hungary and serve many smaller churches in their region. They make up a dynamic leadership team together with their wives. They also run a Christian Radio Station in the city in which they broadcast powerful teaching across the airwaves.
Paul Henderson
An American who came to Hungary 17-18 years ago and married a lovely Hungarian lady named Katy, currently pastors a church in Budapest and is very instrumental in many other churches banding together within their region of Budapest.
Click on flag to see more facts about Hungary from the CIA World FactbookThis school is in Graz, Austria and in partnership with BLAST Ministries and serves over fifteen churches in ten cities throughout Hungary.
