In l986, Jim and Valerie Knies were appointed with Baptist World Mission to minister in the country of Malaysia. They worked with the Chinese believers of Bible Baptist Church of Kuala Lumpur. After four years of ministry, Pastor Bill Toh took over the pastorate, and the Knieses transferred to the newly opened mission field of Hungary.

The Knies family arrived in Pécs, Hungary on July 2, 1993 to begin language school. They started services in their living room on September 4, 1994. With the help of their Hungarian co-workers, the Oláh family, other Hungarian believers, and much prayer and provision from the Lord, the church presently owns and meets in a large building. Bible Baptist Church of Pécs chartered on May 1, 1997. Through the years of ministry many people have found the Lord as their Savior. Currently, a group of 70 young believers faithfully attend the services, most of whom are baptized members of the church.

In April of l999, Dr. David and Jean Potter joined the missionary team and began a Bible Institute to train Hungarian nationals to serve the Lord. Presently, fifteen students regularly attend classes. The ministry in Pécs is only beginning. Much spiritual work remains in this city and in the country of Hungary. The Knieses praise the Lord for all of His wonderful works and for the potential of the future.

(click on Potters' picture to enlarge) [Pictured are David, Jean, Ami]

The Gedeon Oláh family came to Pécs from Eastern Hungary for the first ever service of Bible Baptist Church. They have been an integral part of the ministry ever since. Many Hungarians have come to Christ due to their witness. Several of our church members were brought to our ministry through their personal efforts. Gedeon has surrendered to full-time ministry and is preparing, along with his wife, in the Bible Institute. They are presently preparing to plant a new independent Baptist Church in Southern Hungary.

 The Oláh Family (names according to age) Gedeon, Jolanda, Ramona, David, Peter and Hanna

To receive the Knieses' weekly update from the field, "The Hungarian Munchies," please send an email request to knies@dravanet.hu

Here are some pictures of the ministry and people to whom they minister.

(Click on a picture to enlarge it.)

Ministry Pictures - 2006-2007
Jim preaching	Valentine Banquet - 2006
Couple's Retreat 2007--fellowship after a session at the Knies home	Bible Institute - Gedeon, Bela and Zoli study in Homeletics Class	Bible Institute - Szilard, Lajos and Zoltan listen carefully
Pastor Jim and Zoli Kiss teach Youth Sunday School	Youth Sunday School	Activity time
Béla Gadó teaches Junior Sunday School	Junior Sunday School Class	Rita Makura teaches Beginner Sunday School
Csilla Schnieder in teachers training	Sunday morning announcements	New church members
Anna Kiss makes her dedication of faith	81 year old Anna Rauchenberger	Horváth Béla baptizes Péter Oláh
Missions Conference - Fall 2006
International dinner	Pastor Jim and Pastor Bob Loggans	The Potter family from China
Anna and Judit Kiss come from India	Virág Gado enjoys international cuisine	Renata, Balazs and Laura come from the U.S.A
The Makura Family from Austria	Anna, Ami and Judit	Mary and Csilla enjoy the evening
Mate Makura, future Hungarian missionary/pastor?
Youth Activities - Summer 2006
Board game activity	Spectacular view	Visiting a castle
David Olah, Bela Gado, Brigitta Kovacs, and Anna Knies	David and Bela prepare for battle	Bela and Emilia Horvath were married on March 4, 2006
Anna and Mary's music theory class and teacher visit our home	Zoli watches as Ami, Judit, Brigitta and Mary make the other pizza	Reka, Anna and Bela make a pizza
Family Camp 2006 (July 2-6)
Watermelon Fellowship		Visiting with Dr. Fred Moritz
Makuras listen during session time	Schnieders and Werners at mealtime	Going for a hayride
Brigitta, Judit, Anna, & Ami relax	Sports Time: Eating contest	Lining up
The winners!	Hungarian style camp-fire	The Camp House
Session time
Guys Trio	Orchestra	Children's Choir

Children's Bible Week - summer 2006

Registration		Fun time with David and Bela
Kindergarten Class: Balazs, Mate, Csaba, Laura, Virag, Sanyi	Two visitors	Practice for the closing program
Goliath and his army	Sanyi Sashalmi is King Saul
Closing Program	Reka Gado is a soldier from Israel
Preaching time with Pastor Jim	Awards Time	Refreshment Time

Knies Family Pictures

James with the American Ambassador to Hungary, George Herbert Walker	Mary's 12th Birthday
Anna's 15th birthday	Jim and Valerie are honored for their 21st Wedding Anniversary	Anna and Mary

Families at Bible Baptist Church
Andrelli Family  (Gabor and his mother, Valeria)	Gado Family (Béla, Andrea, Béla, Jr., Réka, Virág, Máté)	Horvath Family (Bela and Emilia)
Kiss Family (Zoli, Anna, Zoltan, Judit)	Olah Family (Ramona, Peter, Yolanda, David, Gedeon, Hanna)	Margit Kreiner and Anna Rauchenberger
Makura Family (Lajos, Rita, and Mate)	Szilárd Nágy	Sashalmi Family (Gabriella, Sanyi, Sándor)
Bariczky family (Jozsef and Maria, Adam)	Arpád Bogdán	Hédi Sakifiu (Adam, Milan, Rita, Viktor)
Boros family (Jozsef and Illona, David, Eszter, Jozsi)	Renata Werner (Belazs and Laura)	Godwin (a medical student from Nigeria)
Berkes Marika	Karpati family (Gaby Gal; Zoltan and Betti)	Kovacs family (Attila and Erica and Brigitta)
Schnieder family (Gabor and Gyongyi; Csilla, Milan)	Jolanda Sapi
Szegfu Gabor	Gyorfi Arpad	Knies family (Jim, Valerie, Anna, Mary)

Click here to read: Testimonies of Church Members

Click here to see Pictures from 2004/2005

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