Knieses - Missionaries to Hungary

Jim ('83, '85MA) and Valerie ('82, '86MS, Quintana) Knies

Contact Information

Mr. and Mrs. James Knies
Angster Jozsef u. 10/1
Pecs 7624,  HUNGARY
Email: jimknies@yahoo.com
Website - www.valerieknies.com 

Mission Agency

Baptist World Mission

November 19, 2009

Dear Munchers:

To quote the sometimes goofy Dave Barba..."Here we go again!"

I have been doing a lot of PRAYING and listening to the Lord as He leads us to our next phase of ministry. We believe that ministry will be to plant a new church in the capital of Budapest. With a population of over two million, there is a pressing spiritual need. This will probably be the greatest challenge that Valerie and I have ever taken.

We have entitled our new push…”Just the Best for Budapest.” Neo-evangelical churches abound and the charismatics have a firm foothold upon some across Hungary. We seek to offer something that is unique in Budapest – a balanced, conservative church with high personal and music standards. Please PRAY as we begin canvassing and surveying the different districts in Budapest in 2010. We are PRAYING that God will form a team of like-minded team members for this grand adventure.

You can help in this new church planting endeavor:

1. PRAY for the “Just the Best for Budapest!” (JBB) outreach ministry. Clearly, your PRAYERS have enabled the planting of two churches already under national leadership. Your continued, fervent PRAYERS are vital to the success of JBB.

2. Give toward this new effort by sending funds to Baptist World Mission earmarked “JBB.” As many churches examine their missions budgets at the end of the year, excess funds would help get this fund off to a great start. Maybe some Munchers are considering tax or holiday giving to the Lord at the end of the year. This would be a great investment in God's work. Please let me know of any questions you have in this regard.

3. Plan to vacation in Budapest next summer and help us canvass for the new work. What a wonderful way to see a fascinating city and get a firsthand vision of the spiritual needs. We are planning to spend much time in Spring and throughout the Summer canvassing and reaching people on the streets in Budapest. Maybe you can spend a longer time beginning in the Fall of 2010 teaching English or helping as we start services. Please let me know what questions you have.

In two hours, I will leave to fly back to the USA. My USA cell phone number is: 262-443-7219. I look forward to our joint labors as we see God do "Just the Best for Budapest!"

Jim Knies

November 16, 2009

Dear Munchers:

A fascinating visit to Krakow, Poland this week afforded me the chance to indulge in the Georgian specialty above. It was like a deep dish pizza enjoyed at a quaint Georgian restaurant just off the main square in the historic old Square in Krakow.

1. What a privilege to minister with missionary friends at the Baptist church in Bochnya, Poland near Krakow. Bob and Tina McKinney are doing an outstanding job in this incredibly needy country of Poland. The Lord has begun a small gathering of middle class believers intently interested in building this church. The church folks were particularly receptive to my one and a half hour message. I would rank Poland right up with Spain as one of the greatest mission fields in Europe.

2. The two churches in Hungary are progressing well to the glory of God under national leadership. Please PRAY on for God's increase in the work in Pecs and Nagykanizsa.

3. IMPORTANT - In a few days I will send out an important announcement regarding the next phase of our ministry in Hungary. With the Lord there is no direction but forward. Next week I will rejoin my family for a few months before our return to Hungary.

Again I can only characterize my ministry here as a great privilege of the Lord. Please continue with us in this great spiritual work in Hungary and remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

November 8, 2009

Dear Munchers:

I was invited to the home of a church member for lunch and am taking this opportunity to send An Early Bite!

1. We only hear superlative reports from the new church plant in Nagykanizsa under the leadership of Gedeon and Yoli Olah. Each week they seem to be drawing new people and families to the ministry. Please PRAY on for this crucial work.

2. I had the privilege of preaching in Pecs Wednesday and this morning to begin our annual Missions Conference. WHat an encouragement to see the excellent spirit and regular visitors to the services. Please PRAY for the Conference running through Wednesday.

3. Valerie and Mary are guest missionaries this week at Missions Conferences in Downers Grove, IL and Menomonee Falls, WI. Next week I will join them for a Missions Conference at Mukwonago Baptist Church, our home church.Early next year, we look forward to return as a family to begin new challenges in Hungary planting churches.

4. As we enter the holiday season, be sure to take a swath out of your shopping list by visiting Valerie's website to purchase many of her CDs as holiday gifts. Just visit www.valerieknies.com to see the exceptional selection of good Christian music.

We value your on-going love and PRAYERS. Please remember this week . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

November 1, 2009

Dear Munchers: 

I am writing this Munchie a little earlier than normal as I am Waiting For Lunch. I am finally back in Pecs among my church friends. 

1. The work of God is so encouraging here in Hungary. My itinerant travels this month preaching in many sister churches has concluded. The work in Nagykanizsa is a blessing as God brings a number of new young families with children to the church. 

2. I preached in Pecs on Wednesday and rejoiced to see the response of God's people. Please PRAY as I will be preaching again Wednesday and next Sunday morning to kick of the annual Missions Conference here.

3. In about three weeks, I will join the girls in the USA for a time. Valerie writes:

"Valerie and the girls continue to stay busy in Wisconsin. Valerie wants to thank those who have been praying for her. Her travels have been a personal blessing and there have not been any problems. She will be home during this week, then off to Downers Grove, Illinois with Mary for the Missions Conference at Marquette Manor Baptist Church. The next week will find her at Falls Baptist Church and then Mukwonago Baptist Church for more missions conferences, then I will at last return to join my family on November 20. She would appreciate your continued prayer for her strength as she ministers from place to place.  

We are happy to announce that the Hungarian Men's Quartet CD, Glorious Victory is now ready to download. Go to http://valerieknies.com/, click on "Glorious Victory", then "click here to order" or click the "listen to samples" and it will take you to the site where you can download the songs individually. This can be repeated with all of the CD's, including My Faithful Lord songs and hymns and spiritual songs of prayer. CDs are also available. With the holidays coming up, where else can you find a gift for an entire family for only $10.00? Really, Valerie really just wants to get this conservative Christian music into the homes and hearts of the people of the Lord." 

May the Lord richly bless your Sunday services and please don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary'"

Jim Knies

October 25, 2009

Dear Munchers:

A delicious Hungarian tradition at a formal lunch is Hus Leves - meat soup. Served with vermicelli noodles, it is a great first course.

1. I had the privilege to preach in Nagykanizsa all day today. You would be so encouraged to see all the young families present. God is wonderfully blessing the Olahs new church plant.

2. We rejoice to report a great Sunday in Pecs with good attendance.

3. My itinerant preaching schedule is winding down and I will be home in Pecs preaching more the next couple of weeks. I will see Valerie and the girls next month.

I will be enjoying another bowl of Hus Leves here at the Olahs. God is to be praised for His goodness to me. Please remember this week . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

October 19, 2009

October 11, 2009

Dear Munchers:

As I am in Romania this week, I am enjoying Rich Romanian Cuisine.  Food is wonderful all around the world. 

1.  October begins a lot of preaching opportunities in Hungary and Romania.  I started preaching a series on the Holy Spirit at the new church in Nagykanizsa, Hungary.  That new work is such an encouragement to show that Jesus Christ still desires to build local churches.  I have not heard about the day in Pecs. 

2.  I love to preach and am humbled to see the Lord bless the messages at the Independent Baptist Church in Beuis, Romania today.  We began a five-day Missions Conference so please PRAY this week for the preaching each evening.  This Friday through Sunday I will preach Evangelistic Meetings at a sister Baptist church in Stei, Romania. 

3.  Under separate cover, you will receive all the information launching my wife Valerie,s new CDs.  As a slightly biased husband, I must say they turned out beautifully and you will enjoy hearing and distributing them.  If you don,t receive the separate letter, please let me know. 

I will be preaching ten times over eight days besides enjoying the Rich Romanian Cuisine.  So when you,re having physical or spiritual food this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"  

Jim Knies

September 27, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Today, I was the Visiting Cook at the Olah home and made the mashed potatoes for lunch.  Not quite the same as home, but passable.

1.  What a joy to see myself and practices followed in the churches. I was in the main service in Pecs this morning as they marked Friend Day with one visitor.  Bela is doing a fine job maintaining the church.

2.  Tears of joy were present as I witnessed four converts being baptized tonight in Nagykanizsa.  Gedeon and Joli are seeing God's rich blessing on their diligent work.

3.  Please PRAY as I will be preaching MANY times in the next four weeks in Hungary and Romania.

4.  Valerie and the girls are doing well and we thank you for your PRAYERS for them.

When you are Cooking this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

September 20, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Fruit is sweet - Lasting Fruit is even sweeter!

1. I was thankful for the privilege of preaching in Pecs tonight. How refreshing to see the Lasting Fruit evidenced in the lives of the faithful church members. One lady shared in depth the Lasting spiritual Fruit she is seeing now as God has worked in her life. She is now counseling and helping others to find Christ.

2. The new church in Nagykanizsa rejoiced to see 13 new visitors today including a brand new family looking for a church. One person trusted the Lord as Savior after the service. Praise the Lord for His answers to your PRAYERS.

3. The Knies girls are all doing well in Wisconsin and we are thankful for God's protection and provision.

If yopu bite into some Fruit this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

September 13, 2009

Dear Munchers:

I have been diligent in watching my Carb intake and weight gain. But every once in a while succumb to a Carb Attack at McDonalds believe it or not.

The churches in Hungary are doing well. Today, I was privileged to preach in the morning and evening services at the new church in Nagykanizsa. Please PRAY for Rosza who visited and needs the Lord. Yoli will visit her on Tuesday.

Both Anna and Mary have started school and are enjoying it. Valerie's next vocal CD will ready soon to order.

When you have a Carb Attack this week, please remember . . ."When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

September 8, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Since I have returned many Hungarian families have invited me over for dinner. I have been eating a lot of Hungarian Stuffed Peppers as the Peppers are in season. The churches in Hungary are Stuffed with God's blessings.

1. I preached in three churches last week and rejoice to report the continued blessing of God upon the works here. These are tough days spiritually in Hungary and people are not as open and receptive to spiritual matters. But God has raised up good churches faithfully preaching the Word.

2. In Nagykanizsa, Gedeon Olah and the church have done an excellent job in their new building reaching out to new people. In the northern suburb of Dunakeszi, Ervin Andrasik labors faithfully with his family in a responsive but small church. Sunday night, I rejoiced to return to the Bible Baptist Church in Budapest which I watched over last summer. The faithful families are still there and missionary friend Jim Pranger has the fire in his heart for powerful ministry in Budapest.

3. The work in Pecs does very well with visitors almost every service. Bela has devoted his heart to the ministry and the people have responded well. I will be preaching there tomorrow night.

4. My fall preaching schedule is virtually full and I look forward to my new ministry of encouraging the churches. Please PRAY for God's particular and continued blessings upon the churches here.

5. Valerie reports her and the girls are doing well getting started in school - Anna at Baptist College of Ministry and Mary at our home church's Mukwonago Baptist Academy. Please PRAY for Anna who is learning to drive that she will get her license sometime soon.

When you are Stuffed this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

August 30, 2009

Dear Munchers:

How true it is - There is no place like Home Sweet Home!

1. Pecs - What a joy to report the church here is stable, united and going forward for God. Wednesday night I was able to share about our summer furlough and preach to the church. Today, the church was full both morning and evening with two first time visitors tonight. Bela Horvath is to be commended for a job well done in fitting into the ministry. September begins our normal autumn evangelistic emphases. Please PRAY for the ministry here in Pecs.

2. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon reports a good Sunday with 18 present for the morning and evening services. Yesterday, Jenna was saved in the ministry.

3. In the early days of the ministry, the Szatmari family, Zoli and Eva came with their four children. Sadly, the family left the church and divorce separated the Dad and Mom. I learned the day I returned to Hungary that Eva died two weeks ago and Zoli asked that I come to their home to conduct a memorial service of sorts. Eight of us gathered as I shared about Jesus Christ remembering Eva's life and influence.

4. Valerie and the girls are enjoying life in Mukwonago, WI and getting ready for the start of school. God has graciously met all of our needs.

My preaching calendar is starting to fill up for the fall and I look carefully to the leading of the Lord in my ministry as we care for the churches in Hungary. Please remember to thank God for your Sweet Home this week and "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

August 24, 2009

Dear Munchers,

Valerie here. Last week, Jim and I had the privilege of touring a large garden in Michigan. Among the delicacies we found under healthy foliage were Purple Potatoes.

I took Jim to the O'Hare airport on Thursday from where he journeyed to Dublin, Ireland for the weekend. He reports a great day of ministering in church with Pastor and Mrs. David O'Gorman. In just a few hours he will be flying to Hungary. A day of rejoicing. He will have some on-site updates from the churches there next Sunday. Please PRAY for Jim as he resumes ministry in Hungary.

Mary, Anna and I are under the wonderful care of our home church, Mukwonago Baptist. We are presently preparing for Anna to begin college and Mary the 11th grade in the academy here. James and Jamie are now residing in Watertown, Wisconsin. James will soon begin work on his Master's of Divinity degree at the Maranatha Baptist Theological Seminary. The Lord has provided Jamie with an elementary teaching position in a Christian school. Please PRAY with me as I work in the next few weeks to publish my vocal CD, "My Faithful Lord", Songs and Hymns and Spiritual Songs of Prayer.

As you enjoy garden delicacies this week, please remember..."When You're Hungry, PRAY for Hungary!"

Valerie Knies

August 16, 2009

Dear Munchers:

The last few days I have been enjoying Onions, Sweet Onions! In a few days, I will be leaving for home in Hungary! Please take the time to read these Sweet notes.

1. "Ring the Bells of Heaven!" - We have been rejoicing in the salvation of Anett in recent months in Pecs. Today she was baptized into the membership. Her 44 year old brother Gyula came to the service. Realizing his need for Christ, he was saved after the service. I am looking forward to seeing this new Christian brother soon!

2. God continues to bless the vibrant ministry in the new church in Nagykanizsa. Please PRAY for Gedeon and Yoli as they minister to many new contacts and converts both inside and outside the church.

3. IMPORTANT - On Thursday I will begin my trek home to Hungary via Dublin, Ireland where I will be preaching next Sunday. As our daughter, Anna, will be starting Bible College next month, we felt it important for her Mom to help her through the transition to the USA. Mary will be enrolled at our home church's Christian School. I will be returning to Hungary work with the two existing churches and preaching in other churches in Hungary and Romania. The existing churches still need a lot of help and encouragement. After a few months I will return to Valerie and the girls. Please PRAY for these exciting times of preaching, PRAYING and seeing God work out our next steps in establishing indigenous Baptist churches in Hungary.

4. IMPORTANT - Many of you Munchers have already heard the news that heaven is sweeter with the promotion of Dr. David Cummins to glory last Thursday night. The funeral will be this Tuesday in Huntsville, Alabama. But, many of you may not know the tremendous impact Dr. Cummins had on the ministry in Pecs and Nagykanizsa. It was Dr. Cummins' influence that the Lord used to bring the Olahs to Pecs to work together with our family. He has visited the ministry three times over the years, including a sacrificial surprise visit last year to honor Gedeon at his ordination and commissioning. The believers in Hungary will sorely miss this man of God. We thank the Lord for Dr. Cummins world-wide impact for Christ.

5. I am in a wonderful Missions Conference during my last days here with Pastor Randy Clark (who also loves to cook and eat!) and the First Baptist Church in Goodells, MI. I will preach at Marquette Manor Baptist Church on Wednesday night before flying the next day from O'Hare. The Lord willing, my Munchies will revert back to the normal time to arrive on Sunday afternoon.

Some of nature's best foods are in season. . . sweet corn, tomatoes, and don't forget the Onions, Sweet Onions. When you crunch into some Sweet Onions this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

August 9, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Two weeks have passed since the last Munchie. Are you Hungry Yet? Here is a Munchie to chew on....

1. Praise the Lord for His work in the two churches in Hungary. The work in Pecs goes on faithfully as they work on several new visitors and unsaved contacts. Please PRAY for the annual Family Camp this week. Our good friend and fellow missionary Ray Virtue will be preaching. Last week, two souls were saved in the new church in Nagykanizsa. I have not yet seen the report of today's blessings. Please PRAY for the Olahs as they work tirelessly with many new contacts.

2. Anna, Mary and I traveled back from Oklahoma City to Wisconsin this week. Valerie will fly here this Tuesday. The three of us had a wonderful service at First Baptist Church in Rock Falls, WI near Minneapolis this morning. Pastor Phil Bushy and their people were very responsive and generous to our ministry. In this small college town, the Kansas City Chiefs have their preseason practices at the local college. Two employees of the team visited in the morning service. Anna even got someone's (???) autograph at our hotel last night.

3. Soon , we will leave for our last two furlough meetings before I return to Hungary in two weeks. Next week, I will share a few more details of our family plans this autumn for you to PRAY about.

We have eaten out a lot these past few days and I am not Hungry Yet! But please remember this week . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

July 26, 2009

Dear Munchers:

With summer and the slower pace you missed a Munchie last week. So I thought I would give you a double bite.

1. Hungary - God blesses the works in Pecs and Nagykanizsa. In Pecs, the church has seen new visitors the last two weeks. In Nagykanizsa, a man contacted the Olahs after hearing Gedeon's message over the radio. Gedeon was able to visit the man and lead him to the Lord. Please PRAY for these two vital works in Hungary.

2. USA - We are enjoying good fellowship with my in-laws and the preaching in their church. When our daughter Anna flew to Oklahoma City, she met and invited a lady to come to church with her and today she visited for the first time. Soon I will return to Wisconsin and will begin preaching in churches again and soon thereafter go back to Hungary.

I am having a Double Bite of celery sticks for dinner as I type this. But before you get the wrong idea, I think a bit of ice cream is for dessert!?! When you take a Double Bite this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

Summer 2009

Dear Praying friends,

We thank the Lord for a multitude of blessings and provision since we arrived in the United States. You can get weekly prayer updates by writing to jimknies@yahoo.com and request the Hungarian Munchies.

We stopped for a week in Ireland to be with our missionary friends Dave and Valerie O'Gorman and to show our girls the Emerald Isle. The Lord allowed our daughter to go through a medical crisis and she spent four nights in a Dublin hospital. Amazingly, since we are residents of th European Union, all charges were paid by the Irish government. We are thankful that Anna was able to fly on schedule and she has completely recovered.

Since we left Hungary, the Lord continues to prosper the two churches left behind under the leadership of national pastors. In Pecs, the church is doing well and seeing new visitors coming. A new ladies ministry and several church activities and services have seen a number of visitors attend. Their new pastor, Bela Horvath is doing a great job. Please pray for God's continued blessing upon the church in Pecs.

The exciting growth story continues in Nagykanizsa under the leadership of Gedeon Olah. They recently began English courses that have drawn about 20 students. One student came to the church and has been saved and is regularly attending the church. The church celebrated their first Anniversary and had its first Vacation Bible School recently. Praise the Lord for 45 in attendance at the closing program! Please pray on for the many new converts and unsaved contacts with whom Lighthouse Baptist Church is working.

As we had already visited all of our supporting churches two years ago, I had not planned to be in many churches. But the Lord has given us a full schedule of churches to visit and many non-supporting churches we had not expected. Thank the Lord for the loving and generous reception we have seen in these churches as they hear of the Lord's answer to prayers. I have had the precious opportunity to preach in a number of camps and teen meetings challenging young people for the mission fields of the world. We are thankful to be based at our home church, Mukwonago Baptist Church in Mukwonago, WI.

Many folks have inquired about our ministry plans for the immediate future. Turning over the church in Pecs was just one step in an all-encompassing plan of planting many churches in Hungary. Both the church in Pecs and the new work in Nagykanizsa will still need much prayer, encouragement and help. I believe other young men and couples will eventually be sent out as missionary church-planters. After a summer furlough, I will return on August 24 to resume our ministry of planting churches in Hungary. Anna will begin college in September and Valerie will be staying in WI with her and Mary for this school year. I will be back in the states in late Fall. Please pray for the Lord's provision and direction in our lives for the future.

What a joy to witness our son graduating from Maranatha Baptist Bible College in May and then getting married on June 20. The Lord provided a lovely day as James and his new wife, Jamie committed themselves to each other and to the Lord's work. James and his wife will live in Watertown, WI and he will begin seminary in the Fall.

We will enjoy some furlough rest and family time the next few weeks in Oklahoma City with my in-laws. I would love to hear from you at our email address above. Our cell phone while we are in the USA is 262-443-7219.

We count it a privilege to serve the Lord as your representatives in Hungary. Please always remember. . . "When You're Hungry, Pray for Hungary!".

July 14, 2009

Dear Munchers:

A Change of Menu brings new choices and new culinary adventures. Our summer furlough thus far has been very busy and blessed. This week we have a Change of Menu - a slower pace with new choices and adventures.

1. Hungary - Both churches in Pecs and Nagykanizsa report visitors and seeking souls. Please continue to PRAY for Pastors Bela in Pecs and Gedeon in Nagykanizsa. Please PRAY specifically for Bela as he seeks to purchase a larger home for his family and ministry needs. PRAY that God would work in the heart of the seller.

2. USA - I have been so refreshed by the response of Christians in the churches to the preaching of the Word. It seems that each Sunday gets better and better. I was privileged to preach a Teen Rally at our home church, Mukwonago Baptist Church. Praise the Lord for four teens that were saved through the week with 47 teens in attendance the last night. Concurrently, the daily VBS saw about six young people trust the Lord as their Savior.

This Munchie is late as Mary and I drove through Sunday night to Oklahoma City to spend some weeks with my in-laws. Anna is flying here today from Phoenix and Valerie is flying here from Milwaukee, arriving two hours apart. I leave for the airport soon and we will be all together again.

It will be sizzling at 105 degrees today. Maybe when you have something sizzling this week, you will be reminded . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

July 5, 2009

Dear Munchers:

That is what Valerie and I just had - Vince's Special! It was a giant pizza with all the toppings and slopped with plenty of cheese!

1. USA - Valerie and I remain very busy ministering and preaching in camps and churches. We praise the Lord for an excellent week at Camp Chetek with Brother Randy Tanis and his Camp Staff. We served as camp missionaries and were thankful for the response. What a wonderful day of ministry and preaching all day at Memorial Baptist Church in Rockford, IL. The people were very responsive to the preaching and generous to us. Please PRAY as I will be preaching the Teen Rally this week at our home church, Mukwonago Baptist Church. A 16 year old teen girl committed suicide last week and the funeral will be Tuesday. This is a family the church has been seeking to help. I PRAY the Lord will use this in the lives of the teens this week.

2. Pecs, Hungary - Bela reports a normal but blessed Sunday. He asks PRAYER for the following Christians: Gábor Schneider, Csilla Szots and Marika Berkes.

3. Nagykanizsa, Hungary - Gedeon and Yoli report an outstanding week of blessing in their first VBS with 45 in attendance at their closing program. Their weekly e-mail update can be procured from them at: gedeon.joly@yahoo.com Let me paste in a part of their report:

"Dear Praying Friends,

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GRACE AND ANSWERS TO PRAYERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS FOR OUR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL WEEK.

The Lord really blessed our first VBS. The first day we had 15 children, and on the next days 17, 20, and 22 children. These numbers included four of our church kids."

Praise God for our church people who were willing to come and help us every day with the kids, making refreshments, and playing in the skits. Even the adults were really enjoying the week. The Lord gave us many new connections during the week. One day, a radio reporter whom we knew came by and interviewed Gedeon about the growth and activities of the church. They will broadcast it this coming week on the local radio station. This was an extra blessing from the Lord.

Thursday evening we had our closing program of the VBS. Praise God that our "larger church building" was "packed" with more than 45 people. It was almost filled to capacity.

Following the Bible story skit of Noah and the ark, Gedeon preached about Noah, and concluded with a clear Gospel message. The Lord began to work in some of the hearts. Please pray for the salvation of a young man, Laszlo (23), Imre (Ibolya's husband), and Szilard and Anita.

God blessed our Sunday with a great attendance, though some of our church people were not there. Laszlo (23) came to our Sunday morning service, after having attended the VBS closing program. He has begun to realize that he is on the "wide road". Pray for God to continue to work in his heart.

Zoltan and Kati also came, with their four year old child. They are fruit of the VBS outreach, as well. Zoltan raised his hand for salvation. As he talked with Gedeon later, he came close to salvation, but still wanted time to think a bit. Pray that God will give him the time to get saved soon. Gedeon and Yoli Olah from Hungary"

We still have some leftovers from the Vince's Special. Wanna come over? We sure value your continued love and PRAYERS for us. If you crave a pizza this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

June 29, 2009

Dear Munchers:

I have always been a fan of A Late Snack! Here is A Late spiritual Snack.

1. Pecs, Hungary - Bela reports good services. I am so thankful for Bela's vision and calling to bear the burden and responsibility for the church. He requests PRAYER for a number of unsaved folks and returning visitors with whom they are working.

2. Nagykanizsa, Hungary - The Olahs wrote an exciting report of God's blessings. Their first Anniversary was very well attended and a picnic fellowship at their home found 35 attending with several unsaved. Yesterday morning the Lord brought 32 for the morning service. They just began their first VBS and 15 children attended the first day which includes four of their church children. These amazing blessings are in answer to your PRAYERS! Please keep PRAYING!

3. USA - I am writing this Munchie in a motel lobby right at check-out time. We had excellent meetings in churches in Michigan the last few weeks. I was privileged to preach at my home church, Mukwonago Baptist, yesterday and the Lord wonderfully blessed with many public decisions and one elderly lady trusting the Lord. This week we will minister as Camp Missionaries at Camp Chetek in Northern Wisconsin. Please PRAY for a profitable week. James and Jamie had a great honeymoon and will settle in Watertown, Wi this week.

Better Late than never! Early or Late, whenever you Snack this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

June 15, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Last night we had a great service at the Calvary Baptist Church in Charlotte, MI. Most encouraging was asking what they should do if the are hungry, A rousing chorus of, "PRAY For Hungary" was the unified reply. What a blessing to have A Church Full of Munchers!

1. USA - We are thankful for God's richest blessings and provisions as we are in the churches in the America. This week, our family will be busy preparing for the wedding of our son, James, this Saturday. Thank you for your ongoing love and PRAYERS.

2. Hungary - Praise the Lord that both churches, in Pecs and Nagykanizsa, are doing well and engaged in carrying on the Great Commission. Both congregations are working hard with new converts and other seeking souls.

As you read this, you are one of those Munchers scattered around the world. The ministry in Hungary values and greatly benefits from your faithful PRAYERS. Thanks for your joint ministry with us and please remember this week . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

June 7, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Last week at camp, I could not decide which salad dressing to have so I had A Little of All Three. Let me give you A Little of All Three.

1. USA - We have been very busy in ministry. Valerie and I were blessed to be teaching and preaching at Camp Joy's annual Leadership Camp. This activity packed week was enjoyed by all. We had a great morning service at Community Baptist Church in Saginaw. This week our family will take a needed break at a lake resort owned by Christian friends. We are gearing up for the marriage of our son in about two weeks.

2. Pecs, Hungary - The church had a church picnic last Monday (Pentecost Monday - a national holiday) with several visitors. Bela Horvath is doing a great job leading the church.

3. Nagykanizsa, Hungary - Gedeon and Yoli Olah have seen answered PRAYER and souls saved. Let me paste in their exciting weekly report,

"PRAISE GOD FOR HIS SAVING GRACE today.

Thank you for praying for Gina. Last week, Gina called Yoli (though they see each other everyday at the school) to say that she needed help. She was so depressed because of many kinds of problems. She said: "I would like to start a new life." Yoli said, "This is exactly what you need...", and asked her when they could meet. Gina said, "Now." So, she and her daughter bicycled to our home. After a long talk she prayed and accepted the Lord as her Savior.

Praise God for it. Today she came to church for the first time. Please pray for her spiritual growth in Christ and for the salvation of her husband, Lenard.

Today we had a great Sunday, with our monthly observance of the Lord's Supper.

Ibolya (51), our first English class student, came to church for the second time. She has a solid marriage and two adult children. She is a very nice lady. During the invitation, she raised her hand for salvation. Gedeon had the privilege of leading her to the Lord after the service. She gladly accepted Christ's forgiveness and eternal life. Praise God for it. We had a beautiful time with her afterwards, and we sang together "Ring the Bells of Heaven". Please pray for her husband, Imre, and their daughter, Anita and her husband Szilard's salvation.

On Tuesday, we had an American party as the closing program for the first semester of English class. After eating many kinds of delicious American food, made by Sheryl and Tim, Gedeon asked Tim to share with the students the simple plan of salvation and the main reason they came to Hungary. The Lord had already begun to work in some of the students hearts as they have been watching us. They have commented on Tim and Sheryl' shining faces and the joy which radiates from them. Terezia is one of those in whom the Lord is working. After Tim's message she had a lot of questions, and desired to have the same in her heart. Also, Szilard had some questions (Ibolya's son-in-law). This week Gedeon and Tim will have lunch together with Szilard. Please pray this week for Szilard and Terezia's salvation.

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR OUR DEAR HUNGARIAN FRIENDS. Thank you also for praying for us to have the leading of the Holy Spirit and walk close to the Lord.

God bless you abundantly by His grace. In His service, Gedeon and Yoli Olah from Nagykanizsa"

Well I guess you got more than A Little of the last one but let's rejoice together in answered PRAYER. Please remember this week. . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

May 31, 2009

Dear Munchers:

We have had the opportunity lately to taste some delicious home-grown Fresh Asparagus. It reminds me of the opportunity to see Fresh workings by the Lord at home in Hungary and here in the United States.

1. Hungary - Praise the Lord for encouraging reports from Bela Horvath in Pecs and Gedeon Olah in Nagykanizsa. What a joy to see the work press on in our absence. In Pecs, please PRAY for a church picnic tomorrow (Pentecost Monday) as these gatherings usually draw visitors. In Nagykanizsa, please PRAY for the salvation of Gina and Orsi.

2. USA - God has been very gracious to us in providing many opportunities to serve him at our home church and others in the area. Please PRAY as I will be speaking to many teenagers this week at Leadership Camp at Camp Joy in Whitewater, WI. Valerie will be very busy in the camp as well. Please PRAY for her health and strength.

Valerie recently finished recording her third CD of conservative Hymns - a collection of Prayer Songs. We will be sure to let you know when they are available. Many new pictures of our ministry have been uploaded to Valerie's website. Please go to: www.valerieknies.com and click on "More about the Knieses' ministry."

3. Family - Soon we will leave for Michigan and on June 20, will witness the wedding of our son James to Jamie Harvath. Come on over -- you are all invited!

Someone just dropped off some Fresh Asparagus at our Missions Apartment so after this...you know what will happen. Please don't forget this week . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

May 24, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Last month I mentioned that the Munchies may be sporadic in the next few months. With no Munchie last week, you get a Double Portion today.

1. Hungary - Both the churches in Pecs and Nagykanizsa remain blessed by the Lord under the capable leadership of Gedeon and Bela. God is answering your PRAYER as these congregations are faithfully serving the Lord and reaching those around them.

2. USA - I am currently with Valerie in a motel in Pittsburgh after being a part of an outstanding Missions Conference with Pastor Mark Montgomery at the Ambassador Baptist Church. Tomorrow, we will fly back to Milwaukee and to rejoin our children. God has given many opportunities to preach in churches since we have arrived in the states.

Last week, I had the wonderful privilege of marching with the faculty at the gradation of Baptist College of Ministry. God is blessing and using that school where we look forward to enrolling our daughter Anna in September.

We look forward to a full schedule of churches and camps in June and July. Our son James will be married in four weeks.

Thanh you for your love and PRAYERS for us. As we have visited some churches, new Munchers will get their first taste today. We have been eating some Double Portions and are thankful for the love and generosity of God's people. Please rememebr this week. . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

May 10, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Who would take Mom to a truck stop on her special day? My son worked at the Flying J - a truck stop off the Interstate - last summer. So on the rare occasion of our whole family being together, we had Mother's Day at the Flying J.

1. Pecs - This was a victorious week in Pecs. Thank you for PRAYING for Annette Hoffman. This week she trusted Christ as her Savior. During testimony time tonight she stood and publicly shared her testimony. Sorry - I don't know if they sang "Ring the Bells of Heaven" but I suspect they did. For those who PRAYED, this is fruit to your account. Please PRAY for several new visitors and contacts with whom the church is working.

2. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon reports good services and regular visitors to their services and the English courses they offer. They are preparing for the first anniversary of the church, June 21st. The local TV station is giving Gedeon a free ten minute spot to give a Biblical challenge every Saturday. Please PRAY for this new exciting church.

3. Family - Our family is staying very busy. Thank you for PRAYING for Anna's health. She is much better but still takes things slowly. The most common question I am asked is what we will do now that we have turned over the church to Bela. I will be returning at the end of summer to continue exactly what we have been doing - working with the two churches and training Christians and future church planters. This is definitely a large transition for us and we are excited to see how the Lord will exactly lead in the future. Praise the Lord for an excellent graduation ceremony for our son James. We are preparing for his wedding next month.

Thank the Lord for our Mother's! I am sure you all honored her today. So the next time you take Mom to a truck stop, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

May 3, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Having been in United States for less two weeks from our ministry in Hungary, yet we are Still Feasting Here and There!

1. Here - We are so thankful to be involved in our home church, Mukwonago Baptist Church, where many people are spoiling us with undeserved kindnesses. Anna's health continues to improve slowly day by day. She was discharged from the hospital in Dublin two weeks ago today. We are with fellow BWM folks at their Orientation Week where I will teach four sessions. Our son James will graduate later this week from Bible College and we look forward to his wedding next month in Michigan. Valerie is preparing to record her next CD two weeks from now. So we are keeping very busy these days.

2. There - (Pecs) The Lord's blessings abound in Pecs where recent activities have garnered many new and return visitors. Today the church remembered Mother's Day in the morning service and the 14th Anniversary of the church in the evening service. Let me again insert Bela Horvath's letter to me. I will (add information in parenthesis) for clarification. Bela writes,

"Thank you for praying for the ministry here in Pécs. God blessed this week too.

We had a great hiking-time on Friday. Please pray for the Müller Family, Sanyi's daughter, Hoffman Józsi's mother, Móni and her daughter Grace, Anett, Miklós who came and heard the gospel message there. (This was a church picnic on May 1 - a National Holiday.)

We celebrated the 14th anniversary of the church in the evening. In the morning we had Mothers' Day. (One week earlier in Europe.)

We praise God for our Sunday morning service. God brought Hoffman Józsi's mother and grandmother. What is more Anett brought her mother too. We especially praise the Lord for Varjú Viktor (age 32) who came for the second time. Réti Brigi' parents came and had a great experience. Miklós (Reti) was in church too. Gyöngyi and Gábor from Nagykanizsa (The city where the new church plant is located. They are related to the Makura's in our church.) visited us in the morning. Kiss Anna came because of Mothers' Day. Vivi's (Vivien - teenage church member) mother and grandmother came.

Anett was in church all day. We are amazed by the very obvious work of the Holy Spirit in Anett's heart. Please pray for the meeting we will have this week when we will talk about salvation. Please pray for our first Lady's Craft-time activity on Friday. We are expecting unsaved ladies to come. (This is a brand new monthly ministry meeting to reach out to unsaved ladies.)"

3. There - (Nagykanizsa) Gedeon and Yoli are doing a great job and send out a periodic update which you can receive directly by writing to them at: gedeon.joly@yahoo.com Let me share part of their report with you. The Olahs write,

"We praise God for a good Mother's Day service today. The Tibor Nagy family was there, with their three children, and Orsi had another chance to hear the message of the Gospel. This week Yoli is planning to meet her and challenge her about her spiritual needs.

Please pray also for Hannah's new classmate's mother, Georgina. She has marital problems, but mostly needs the Savior.

Thank you for praying for our first church picnic. The Lord really blessed this time in the huge yard of Bernadett's former husband, Ferenc . We had 32 people altogether, nine of whom were from that town. After the delicious venison stew, Gedeon served the "spiritual food"- the clear message of the Gospel. Many of them heard the Gospel for the first time in their life. Three of our church peoples' husbands (Gyuri, Mr.Dobo, & Ferenc) were among our number. Please pray that God will continue to work in their hearts for salvation."

Wherever you are Feasting Here or There, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

April 26, 2009

Dear Munchers:

If you are hungry for some news read all the way through to hear The Rest of the Story....

1. Pecs - It has been three weeks since we turned over the church to Bela Horvath's leadership. When a missionary leaves, he is happy when the work survives. Praise the Lord the work is thriving. Last Friday night brought new ladies to the monthly Ladies Fellowship. The Lord showed Himself powerful in specifically answering PRAYER in bringing in eight first-time visitors today. Let me insert part of Bela's letter to me...

"The Lord showed us today that He hears our prayers. On Wednesday and Saturday we prayed for some people to come for Sunday as new comers. God brought almost all the visitors we prayed for.

Réti Brigi witnessed to someone last week and she came for 9 and 10. She is unsaved. Rita (Makura) brought a work mate and her husband and also their daughter's family with two kids. They were here for SS only because of the 3 month old baby. A man (age 30) came just out of the blue. He had visited our website. He was here only for the SS. Seeing all these new faces I put (my SS lesson about) Jephthah aside and just preached the gospel in the SS. Please pray for them to come back and to be saved.

Anett (Hoffman) was in church again at 10 and at 5. It is amazing how God is working in her life and opening her heart to the gospel gradually. She was very open to the idea that we would start Biblia alapok (Discipleship Bible Study) with her in May. Bodó Márk came back also after "a long break". What is more Zoli and Lajos had a Biblia alapok session with him today also. Pray for him to be stable in his new life."

2. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon also reports many new contacts they are working on. Today was the fist Sunday in their new much larger location. This is an exciting new church that needs our on-going PRAYER.

3. USA - We safely flew back to the USA from Ireland. The next day, I took an Amtrak train (VERY enjoyable) to North Dakota to pick up a missionary vehicle the Lord provided for our furlough. I arrived back to our home church on Friday. Thank you for PRAYING for our daughter Anna. Her recovery remains slow but she is better.

4. And Now....The Rest of the Story.... Remember my incident with the admittance clerk at the hospital in Ireland. She repeatedly told me Anna's hospital stay would be 100 euros per night. Certainly, you have already learned the lesson that when something sounds too good to be true, it usually isn't true.

Last Monday, I went to pay Anna's bill. The accounts lady said she didn't think the bill was ready yet but when I told her I was leaving the country the next day, she said she would prepare it right away. When she returned to the window I noticed from afar a whole lot of digits before the decimal point. She presented me with a bill for 4560 euros (about $6000 USD). YIKES - I said, "But I was told repeatedly that the charge was only 100 euros per day." She pointed out to me that I was being charged the NON-resident fee.

As my heart was alternating from being in my throat to being in my stomach, I told her, "I can't pay this bill. I am not prepared to pay $6000." (We do have insurance that would have reimbursed us.) After five minutes of back and forth comments, I mentioned that in my country of Hungary when foreigners have emergencies in the hospital they are just taken care of. I had put our home church's address in the USA as our address. When I mentioned we lived in Hungary, she asked about our residence status. I whipped out my passport and showed her our residence permits in Hungary, saying we have lived there for 16 years. She took a photocopy of my passport and went to the back room again.

She came out and declared that since we were residents of the European Union and Anna came in through the emergency room here would be NO CHARGE. As my heart returned to its accustomed anatomical place, you can imagine the relief and gratitude I felt for God's provision. Though as frightening it was to see our daughter in excruciating pain and being in a foreign country, God had the PERFECT timing in all this.

The Lesson of this story - DON'T book your tickets to Dublin if you get sick.

Now you know The Rest of the Story....and "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

April 19, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Surely you have gone into a restaurant and ordered and endured a Long Wait for the Meal! The Wait is not always pleasant, but you are glad when the Meal comes.

1. Pecs - I heard just briefly that Bela preached excellent messages in Pecs today. We are thankful for God's man in His place. Hungarians reaching Hungarians! God is also working in Annette Hoffman's heart who attended both services again today. Jozsef Hoffman's mother also visited for the first time. Please keep PRAYING!

2. Dublin - God is doing an exciting work at the Lifegate Bible Baptist Church near Dublin, Ireland under the leadership and Pastor and Mrs. David O'Gorman. A group of independent Baptist churches are now involved in a mammoth project of placing an excellent gospel tract in EVERY home in Ireland. I had the privilege of preaching the morning service here and God wonderfully blessed His word. Valerie spoke to the ladies twice. Praise the Lord. Please PRAY for this strategic church as they seek to now knock on about 25,000 doors around their area this summer.

3. Anna Knies report - Now that you had the Long Wait....let me give you the Meal. Thank you so much for your heartfelt PRAYER and letters assuring us of your PRAYERS for Anna. She did not have appendicitis. Her condition, which caused the excruciating pain, was more serious. They found a very large cyst (12-15 centimeters) in her abdomen causing other problems only possible for women. Anna had two surgeries back to back on Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. Praise the Lord for the skilled doctors and very gracious and caring nurses who have dealt with the problem. Healing began slowly and Anna only returned home today. The doctors have given her permission to fly to the USA on Tuesday. Please PRAY that she will be able to travel comfortably.

Here is a little story you may find interesting....... You Munchers know I can get a little goofy at times but I usually catch on pretty quickly (Now be kind in your responses!) The admissions clerk came to me on the first day with a wad of paperwork in her hand. She explained the situation to me and informed me that Anna's bed would cost 100 euros (@$133) per night. After the long detailed explanation, I kindly asked, "But how much is this going to cost?" Very kindly she said that she had already explained to me that Anna's stay would cost 100 euro per night (and by the way, the limit is ten nights per year - 1000 euros per year). You would think I would have caught on already, but I just nervously chuckled and asked again, "But how much is EVERYTHING going to cost, surgeries, medicines, etc., etc.?" She said, "You must understand that the 100 euros per night includes EVERYTHING - surgeries, medicines, doctors, etc.!"

WOW - So the lesson of the story....if you are having a heart attack, fly to Dublin! I could check into burial plots if anyone is interested.

We are praising the Lord for His wonderful watchcare and grace to us. Please do PRAY as we fly to the USA and begin a ministry of preaching and reporting to churches. During the Long Wait for the Meal, you will certainly be hungry, so please don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

April 16, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Just when you thought the Munchies were going to be sparse, here is a little dessert.

We had a very nice flight to Dublin, Ireland yesterday. This afternoon, my daughter, Anna, began having severe cramps. She was admitted into the hospital and will probably have a laproscopic appendectomy tomorrow. The Irish doctors and nurses are very nice, competent, but don't speak Hungarian. We are getting by with English. Social medicine makes for loooong lines and waits but we will save our insurance company probably thousands of dollars.

Please PRAY for Anna's surgery tomorrow.

And, if you end up in the hospital tomorrow, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

April 12, 2009

Dear Munchers:

As Lajos Makura was decorating my wife's birthday cake, he put on A Few More Sprinkles. I thought the emotions of turning over the church to pastoral leadership was past. However, tonight there were A Few More Sprinkles.

1. Pecs - What a wonderful Easter Sunday we had in church. Thank you for PRAYING for Annette Hoffman, the unsaved wife of church member Jozsef. She came both morning and evening and seems to be really softening toward spiritual things. Please PRAY for her soon salvation. Tonight, I preached and challenged the church to press ahead and never give up the fight. As Anna is formally leaving Hungary to begin Bible College, the church had a fellowship for her. Many tears, hugs and promises of PRAYER followed the service. Please PRAY for the church under the leadership of their new pastor, Bela Horvath.

2. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon rejoiced to see everyone present in their service today. Tibor Nagy and his wife, Orsi, and their three children attended again. After lunch at the Olahs, Gedeon was able to lead Tibor, the father, to Christ. Praise the Lord! Orsi, the wife, is also close to salvation. Please PRAY for her soon salvation. You can receive the Olah's updates by sending them a note at: gedeon.joly@yahoo.com

3. IMPORTANT - If you don't get a Munchie every Sunday night from this point, don't change the channel or adjust your monitor. The Munchies will be sporadic as we begin an extensive schedule of traveling and preaching. Tuesday we will fly to Dublin, Ireland and spend a week with missionary friends before flying to the United States. Please PRAY for the many, many miles we will travel in the next two weeks.

You cannot imagine the warm sunshine, fragrant air, and incredibly beautiful Spring blossom views from our home. We are a bit sad to be leaving home for a while, but look forward to returning to our home and ministry in Hungary in God's will and time. I am sure when we arrive in Dublin this week, we will be greeted with A Few More Sprinkles. Please remember this week . . . "When You're Hungry PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

April 8, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Yoli Sapi in great Christian love bakes special treats for her former Pastor. She baked her very special Honey Buns before the service tonight. I put them in a special place and consequently forgot to take them home. I madly raced back to church to rescue The Forgotten Honey Buns! Praise the Lord He never forgets us!

1. Praise the Lord for the good services these past four nights. We had about five first time visitors and a number of return visitors. Pastor Roberts preached very practical messages every night. Please PRAY for the new contacts to bring forth spiritual fruit.

2. What a privilege to have Pastor Roberts, our home pastor, with us. As a visiting Muncher, he writes,

"It is a joy to be back in Hungary once again and see familiar faces as well as meet new folks the Lord has brought to Bible Baptist Church. It was a thrill to be at Nagkanisa and see what the Lord is doing there and also to be a part of the Spring Bible Conference at Pecs. The contacts made through the Bible conference seem to be serious enquirers. We are so thankful for the good music, the sweet Christians, and the national pastor the Lord has raised up here. It is truly a miracle of God."

3. Brother Lajos Makura wanted to send an update to all the Munchers. He writes,

" Dear Bretheren, My name is Makura Lajos, and I am from Bible Baptist Church. Sixteen months ago I had a severe car accident. I went into a coma, my breathing stopped, and I had serious skull injuries. The doctors gave up on me and told my loved ones to say their good-byes. My wife, my Pastor, and my brothers and sisters in the Lord came to the hospital, but not to say good-bye, but to ask the All-Mighty to heal me. Pastor Jim told you all who serve the Lord around the world what happened to me, and asked you to pray for me. God heard your prayers, and I am thankful for all those who did pray for me. My health has gone back to the state it was before the accident. However, my desire has increased to serve our Lord with even more dedication. May God bless you all according to the richness of His grace! With Thankfulness: Brother Makura Lajos"

4. With are busily preparing for our summer furlough, departing Hungary next Tuesday. After next Sunday, the Munchies will be more sporadic. Please PRAY as we have a very busy schedule of ministering in the USA.

When you husbands are guilty of Forgetting your Honey Bun, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

April 5, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Nearly sixteen years of PRAYER and labor among spiritually needy Hungarians culminated in a grand day today. It was like the Cherry on the Top!

1. Pecs - For weeks we have been PRAYING and preparing for the transition of the church to national leadership. We were priviledged to have visitors from five churches and individuals from four countries with us this weekend. For three hours, Bela Horvath did an excellent, spirited job defending his call, conversion and doctrinal statement on Saturday. The council of visiting, ordained pastors unanimously voted to recommend to the church to ordain Bela to the Gospel ministry. We had four services today and a great spirit among the people. At our afternoon service, Dave Potter gave the challenge to the candidate and I gave the charge to the church. We then ordained Bela to the ministry and installed him as Pastor. The church was very expressive of their appreciation of our ministry and we are excited to see what the Lord will do in the future.

Tonight, we began our Spring Bible Conference with my home pastor Rhon Roberts speaking. Praise the Lord for four visitors. Please PRAY each day this week through Wednesday for our nightly evangelistic meetings.

2. Nagykanizsa - You can imagine how encouraged we were to journey to the new church ministry for their Thursday night service with Pastor Roberts. Thank the Lord for 21 in attendance including a new family of five. This new family returned this morning for their Sunday services. Their English language courses are drawing nearly 20 people and have had to divide into two groups. God is to be PRAISED for providing a new church building to rent that will more than double the size of their meeting place. If you want to get on the Olah's mailing list for occasional e-mail updates, send a note to: gedeon.joly@yahoo.com

3. Future - Many folks from around the world have enquired about our ministry plans for the immediate future. Turning over the church to Bela was really only a small step in a all-encompassing plan of planting many churches in Hungary. Both the church in Pecs and the new work in Nagykanizsa will still need much PRAYER, encouragement and help. I believe other young men and couples will eventually be sent out as missionary church-planters. After a summer furlough, I will return at the end of August to resume our ministry of actively planting churches in Hungary.

4. Visiting Muncher - Sometimes when I board a plane in Budapest to Chicago, Rich Toole, member of Marquette Manor Baptist Church, will be on the other side to pick me up. Rich is a long-time Muncher and made the effort to be with us today. He writes,

"I have been reading the Munchies for years, and what a blessing to visit the work first hand. It was a great joy to attend the service where Bela Horvath was installed as national pastor. After PRAYING years for the Knies family and the people, what a blessing to see how God has used their ministry and answered PRAYER. The church members are enthusiastic and committed to serving the Lord. It is hard to express how grateful I am to have seen all that God is doing in Pecs. If you ever have the opportunity to visit the work, PRAY about it and do it."

One usually eats the Cherry on the Top! and then the good stuff comes next. Please PRAY with us as we believe the sweetest blessings are yet to come. When you pop something sweet in your mouth this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungary, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

March 29, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Amazingly, it was SEVENTEEN Years ago to the day when on March 29, 1992, I read my pastoral resignation letter to the Bible Baptist Church in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tearfully, I read my pastoral resignation letter this morning after the service. Yet, I rejoice in seeing how the church will grow and prosper under Hungarian national leadership.

1. Pecs - Praise the Lord for a great Sunday in church all day. I finished my series on Godly Music in the Local Church this morning while Dave Potter preached tonight for his last time before their short summer furlough. Almost every church member has been involved in distributing about 7500 invitations for our Bible Conference next week.

Please PRAY for our historic weekend next week as Bela will be ordained and installed as the pastor of the church. My home pastor Rhon Roberts from Mukwonago, Wisconsin will then preach a Bible Conference focusing on current issues in our society. Please PRAY that many visitors will come Sunday through Wednesday nights, April 5-8.

2. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon reports a wonderful Sunday of blessing as one man returned after a long absence. The church voted to move to a new location on May 1st, significantly expanding their meeting facilities. Their English classes saw 19 attend so classes have been split and will meet on two separate days. Please PRAY as the Olahs work with many new contacts in their community.

3. Family - We are working hard to prepare for our summer furlough. We will depart April 14, visit friends in Ireland for a week, before returning to see our son, James, graduate in May from Bible College and get married in June. Please PRAY for our family as we minister in several churches and camps.

Please be sure to CHANGE our e-mail to this address: jimknies@yahoo.com. Our old e-mail address will expire soon.

My soul is flooded with emotions and gratitude to see what God has done in our church over the years. Trusting God's grace and blessing, the best is yet to come so please don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

March 22, 2009

Dear Munchers:

1. PLEASE update your records right away. In about a month, several contact details will change:

Please use only this address jimknies@yahoo.com as our main e-mail address contact. Please remove my old address knies@dravanet.hu from your records. The following land line phone numbers are already not in service or will be cut on April 13:

36-72-212-822 and 36-72-325-372.

2. Now on to the Sweets!

Pecs - We thank the Lord for a good Sunday in church. I preached on Music and the Local Church both morning and evening. Six teams of church members have diligently distributed many thousands of invitations for our upcoming Bible Conference, April 5-8.

Please PRAY that many will attend these special meetings. We also will mark this weekend as the leadership transition of Bela Horvath to the pastorate.

3. Nagykanizsa - I finished a three-week emphasis preaching on the Local Church in the new church plant. Gedeon had asked me to challenge his people. A couple of weeks ago English lessons brought many new people. Please PRAY as the church is seriously considering a new location that will double the size of their meeting place.

4. Furlough - We are busily preparing for a summer furlough. We look forward to ministering in a number of camps and churches. If your church would like us to come and give a personal update, please let me know right away.

Please keep PRAYING as we are very busy these days, knowing by faith that God is Savings the Sweets for Last! When something Sweet enters your mouth this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

March 15, 2009

Dear Munchers:

 

Last night I made chocolate chip-raisin Oatmeal Cookies.  If you tried one, you would want a big bite.  Jim asked me to write the Munchie tonight, so you are going to get a bigger bite.

 

Since last Saturday we have had three all-church prayer meetings at church and four in the apartments of our church members.  I wish you could have been there with the 17-20 adults and teens who came to pray.  The spirit was one of simple faith.  Some of the requests were for clear weather for tracting, many individual names for salvation and for the openness of the people we will meet on the streets the next few weeks.

 

Bela has divided our church family into six teams.  Each team will go out twice each week for at least 1 1/2 hours.  We will be stuffing mailboxes with invitations on one day and personally inviting people to our special meetings on the next day.  The men have prepared 20 sandwich boards with large copies of our invitation on them.  These will be strategically placed in the city for maximum effectiveness.  We have about 30 people who will be passing out  around three-thousand of invitations in a three-week period.  Please PRAY with our church family for God to bless these efforts with Hungarian souls.  

 

Our family hosted Marta and Peter Marks in our home for dinner this week.  Marta is my voice teacher and has become a good friend.  Jim was able to spend over an hour explaining salvation to them.  They have promised to come to the meetings.  Please PRAY for their salvation.  Many others are being prayed for specifically.

 

Jim was in Nagykanizsa for a few days this week.  He reports:

 

"God continues to bless the new work under Gedeon's leadership.  Gedeon has asked me to preach on the local church before we leave for summer furlough.  We rejoiced to have 16 present this morning in the service.  The Olahs along with their co-workers, Tim & Sheryl Hughes began offering English language courses and had 14 attend their first session this last Tuesday.  More are expected this week.  Please PRAY for many unsaved folks with whom they are working."

 

If you eat any Cookies this week please don't forget . . .  "When You're Hungary, PRAY

for Hungary!"

 

 

Valerie Knies

 

March 2009

Dear Praying Friends:

We praise the Lord for His many answers to your PRAYERS these past few months. I am amazed at the many activities and people involved in our ministry, which this report can only briefly highlight. To get weekly PRAYER updates, just send your e-mail address to jimknies@yahoo.com to receive the Hungarian Munchies. These are historic days in the ministry. Please keep PRAYING.

Pecs - We were privileged to hold many Christmas concerts and meetings both in the church and at local venues. We are thankful for the opportunity to spread the seed of the Gospel to many people. At the turn of the year, we were thankful to host a couples retreat with missionary friend Jim Pranger speaking and ten married couples attending. Our church still enjoys good attendance and regular visitors.

Praise the Lord for the evangelistic efforts of our youth. In the past two month two young men trusted Christ. Krisztian Pirgl visited a youth activity where Bela Gado, Jr. preached the message. Zoli Kiss, Jr. led Krisztian to the Lord afterward. Krisztian rose to his feet during a recent testimony time in our service and unashamedly declared his new faith in Christ. The church spontaneously sang "Ring the Bells of Heaven." Mark Bodo, the younger brother of our church member Vivien, was saved one week later. Both are attending services and are involved in follow-up Bible studies.

The local kindergarten still uses the upper floor of our church building. We allowed the kindergarten to use our auditorium for their Christmas program, and about 125 parents saw the "scary" inside of a Baptist church for the first time. Please PRAY we will be able to reach some of these young families.

Please PRAY as we devote the month of March to PRAYER and preparation for our Spring Bible Conference April 4-8. Join us the week of March 9-14 as we have a week of PRAYER. New signboards are being prepared, and invitations will be take out to the streets to compel folks to attend. My home pastor and his wife, Rhon and Tonda Roberts, from Mukwonago, Wisconsin, are coming to minister to the church.

On March 1, the church voted to extend a call to Bela Horvath to become the pastor of the church here. We are planning to ordain Bela to the gospel ministry and install him as pastor on April 5.

Nagykanizsa - God continues to bless the new church plant under the leadership of Gedeon Olah. We rejoiced to see 42 present for a Christmas concert in a rented hall. They regularly see new visitors attend and souls saved. Tim and Cheryl Hughes, a newly-married American couple, have joined the Olahs in the ministry and will begin teaching English courses to draw new contacts into the church.

USA - God gave me an excellent opportunity to return to the USA in January to teach Introduction to Missions at Baptist College of Ministry in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. A great group of 25 students listened attentively to the challenge and opportunity of missions around the world.

Family - We were thankful to have our son James home to visit over Christmas. He is finishing his last semester at Maranatha BBC and will graduate in May. He is planning to be married to Jaime Harvath on June 20, 2009. With the turnover of the ministry to Bela and James' graduation and wedding, we are planning a summer furlough this year.

Valerie is feeling much better after visiting a specialist and getting new medicine. Your PRAYERS have been appreciated. Please don't forget... "When You're Hungry, PRAY for Hungary!" 

March 8, 2009

Dear Munchers:

As you Munchers know all too well . . . Food is IMPORTANT at the Knies House. Please read on for this is an IMPORTANT Munchie!

1. Pecs - These are historic days of blessing and answers to your PRAYERS. This morning, Bela Horvath informed the church that he accepted the church's call to be their pastor. The Lord willing, we will install Bela in four weeks time at our special Spring meetings, April 5-8. Please PRAY with us as we have a Prayer Week with meetings every night in homes near the church and Wednesday and Saturday at church.

Both morning and evening, I continued my series on the Local Church preaching on the importance of ecclesiastical separation to an attentive audience. Tonight the Olahs and their new co-workers, the Hughes' visited our services.

2. Nagykanizsa - Tim and Sheryl Hughes are a newly married, godly young couple. They felt the calling of God to the mission field, sold their most of their possessions and came to help the Olahs in Nagykanizsa, by faith. Tim is a New Muncher and writes,

"We are happy for the opportunity to visit Pecs this Sunday. The Knies family has graciously given us their guest bedroom for the night. The work in Nagykanizsa is going well. We continue to pray for the salvation of several spouses of church members. We will be starting English classes in Nagykanizsa on Tuesday. There are about 12 people signed up. We trust that the Lord will use these classes to bring people to Christ."

3. IMPORTANT - With our son James graduating from Bible College in May and getting married in June, we are planning to take a summer furlough from mid-April through August. As we visited all our churches in 2007, we are not planning to visit supporting churches extensively. However, I would love to visit and report to any church that would like us to come and minister. Please let me know if you are interested in a personal report in your church regarding Hungary. Please PRAY that we would be able to raise a small amount of monthly support.

4. IMPORTANT - As we leave for furlough next month, my normal e-mail address knies@dravanet.hu will cease to exist. Please begin using this address from which this Munchie originates jimknies@yahoo.com

Nothing is more encouraging and IMPORTANT to us than your continued PRAYERS. So please don't forget this week . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

March 1, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Believe it or not, I have been getting away from making my "infamous" Power Potatoes. Instead, I am making more Plain Potatoes these days. Our Munchie today is far from Plain!

1. Pecs - Praise the Lord for leading the church to vote unanimously tonight to extend a call to Bela Horvath to be the pastor of the church. Bela has a couple of issues he is considering before accepting the call. Please PRAY for the will of the Lord to be done.

God answered a wonderful PRAYER of our congregation in bringing Annette Hoffman to church this morning. Her husband Jozsef is one of our newest members and his wife once said she would never come to church. Please PRAY for Annette's soon salvation.

This month will find the church PRAYING and preparing for our Bible Conference April 5-8. Please PRAY with us as we devote this month to preparing ourselves for God to work in our midst. Pastor Rhon Roberts and his wife Tonda will come to minister with us.

2. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon reports a good Sunday with one important new visitor, Ferenc Karai. Ferenc is the divorced husband of Bernadette, a member of the church. He promised to return so please PRAY for his salvation.

Many of us have just routine Plain weeks with uninspiring meals. SO in the midst of your Plain week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

February 22, 2009

Dear Munchers:

As I write the Munchie I am having Just a Salad! But what a delicious salad it is with a number of goodies added to the lettuce. The Lord is giving us many good things in the ministry.

1. Pecs - Sickness has kept our numbers down for a couple of weeks now. I feel like the third string preacher with Bela Horvath home with mononucleosis for a couple of weeks and now Dave Potter getting sick. But I sure enjoyed preaching all day today. In my latest series on the local church, I preached on the Position and Responsibilities of the Pastor in the local church. Please PRAY as the church meets next week to discuss voting to extend a call to Bela to become the Pastor of the church. We are seeking the mind of the Holy Spirit.

2. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon reports a great day in the new church work with 15 present including EIGHT men. This is certainly a work of the Lord and bodes well for future strong growth. Please PRAY for the Olah family as they labor for lost Hungarian souls.

3. March - This will be a very important month. We will hold a PRAYER Week March 9-14, Bela will lead and organize us as we go out in our community evangelizing and inviting folk to our Bible Conference April 5-8. We are looking forward to hosting my home pastor Rhon Roberts and his wife, Tonda for these special meetings.

I Just finished my Salad but somehow am still a little hungry. Our believers are hungry for more spiritual fruit and your PRAYERS with us are incredibly important. SO this week when you have Just a Salad, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

February 15, 2009

Dear Munchers:

As the number of invited guests swelled, I didn't think we would have enough meat. So we had both Roasted Chicken and Turkey. In the ministry there are no shortage of blessings whatsoever.

1. Pecs - Praise the Lord for good services in church today, even though we were down in attendance due to illness. These are historic days here as we plan on voting in two weeks time to extend a call to Bela Horvath to become pastor of the church. This morning, I began a preaching series on the local church. Tonight, I began a series on the Biblical teaching of the pastor/people relationship. Dave Potter offered excellent insights to the church regrading this landmark decision.

2. Thank you for PRAYING for Janos, the 17 year old young man considering his spiritual condition. At this point, Janos said, "I think I want to stick with my religion." Janos plans to visit our home again this week. Please PRAY that the Holy Spirit would intervene in this spiritual battle.

3. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon was very encouraged with services today. Several regular attenders returned after being absent due to illness. Please PRAY as the Olahs reach out to many new and unsaved contacts.

4. Family - Thanks for PRAYING for our family's health. Valerie saw the orthopedist and he gave her medicine that has been very helpful. Our son James' foot is healing well. He only needs his temporary foot brace for two more weeks. I was having a bad Hungarian day today and reported to the church that James is getting around without his crutches (manko). Instead I said, James is getting around without his sleds (szanko). Maybe in Wisconsin, he would get around better with sleds!?!

What a joy to preach God's truth to eager listeners. Please PRAY on with us for these important days in our church. If you have Roasted Chicken or Turkey or BOTH, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

February 8, 2009

Dear Munchers:

I don't understand why, but my wife Valerie likes the European, sit-on-the-shelf-for-three-months 1.5 % fat BOX milk. However, I am a connoisseur of ice cold 2.8% fat MMmmm - Fresh Milk! For the first time we served some of that white liquid gold to our lunch guests, who were here to celebrate Mary's 15th birthday (Tuesday), and they loved it. The blessings of today was like devouring a liter of MMmmm - Fresh Milk!

1. Thank the Lord for a full church this morning. As we lead up to the transition to national leadership in two months, I am preaching more often to prepare the church for this major decision. Tonight, your heart would have been delighted to hear so many testimonies of people interacting with unsaved friends and new contacts. I preached about the church at Antioch, which was a major part of our Annual Business Meeting tonight. Please PRAY for these important weeks of spiritual opportunity.

2. Tonight, we were Ringing the Bells of Heaven in song! Mark is the younger brother of Vivien, one of our newest church members. THANKS for PRAYING for his salvation as he was led to the Lord Monday night at his home by Zoli Kiss, Jr. Mark, along with Kristian, are two new teenage boy converts. Please PRAY for a third young man, Janos. Our family met his mother in January and she encouraged him to meet us. This week Janos asked many meaningful, searching questions during a visit to our home. Please PRAY that Janos will be saved this Friday when we meet him again.

3. Gedeon reports a great Sunday of further building the new work in Nagykanizsa. This week, they will be advertising a new free English language course to the end of making new evangelistic contacts. Please PRAY for the many contacts with whom they are working.

4. Further PRAYER is needed for Adrienne Boros who remains in a medically induced coma two weeks after being hit by a car. Please PRAY for the health and strength of Valerie. She will visit an orthopedic specialist tomorrow.

I just finished a liter of ice cold MMmmm - Fresh Milk! I am contemplating but should dismiss the idea of downing another liter. Yet, I expect many more spiritual blessings in answer to your faithful PRAYERS. When you indulge in a glass of ice cold MMmm -

Fresh Milk this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

February 1, 2009

Dear Munchers:

After traveling many miles, there is No Place Like Home Cooking! I am currently munching on some leftover Home Cooking! We had a great spiritual feast today!

1. Travels - With a grateful heart I was privileged to teach Introductions to Missions to 25 eager, receptive students at Baptist College of Ministry in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. God is doing great things through that school preparing servants for the Lord. With both of my parents now with the Lord, I had a great time visiting Neno and Maxine Quintana, my in-laws, this past week. Praise the Lord for the LOOONGG but safe trip home yesterday.

2. Pecs - Bela had me hit the ground running by asking me to preach morning and evening. We had good attendance all day and receptive hearts listened attentively. Valerie mentioned in last week's Munchies about Krisztian (Christian) receiving Christ after our last Youth Activity. Krisztian came to his first church service tonight. At testimony time, he unashamedly rose to his feet and declared his decision of receiving Christ. The accompanists hurried to the instruments as we joyfully sang, "Ring the Bells of Heaven."

Vivien, one of our newest church members, has brought her brother Mark to church several times. Tonight, he raised his hand for salvation. Please pray for him as Zoli Kiss, Jr. visits with him this week to present the gospel again.

3. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon reports good services in the new church plant. Ministering similarly as in Pecs, the Olahs are working with a number of evangelistic contacts outside the church. Please PRAY for God's rich blessings.

4. Please PRAY For:

a. Our son, James, as his foot heals and he bears the load of classes in his senior year.

b. Adrienne Boros, the 15 year old daughter of a former church member, was hit by a car. After three brain surgeries, she still has not awakened out of her coma. Please PRAY for God's healing according to His will.

After being gone for three weeks, Valerie will give me a long shopping list...because...there is No Place Like Home Cooking! When you settle down for some Home Cooking this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

January 25, 2009

Dear Munchers:

When Jim is gone the girls get "Mommy Food". This week we dined several days on Turkey Tetrazzini. We are still working on the leftovers.

1. Pecs - The Bible Institute is off to a good start, having met for four classes already.

Dr. Potter is teaching the Pauline Epistles here and also in Nagykanizsa. Dr. Potter will be going to Romania this week for three days to teach, and then back to Nagykanizsa. Our students in Pecs will resume class on Saturday. Please PRAY for Dave Potter as he travels and teaches this week, for strength, wisdom and safety.

On Saturday there was a youth activity with three unsaved visitors. Bela Gado, Jr. preached a very clear message of the gospel. When Zoli Kiss drove one of the boys home, Christian was full of questions regarding the gospel. While they were parked outside the boys' house, Zoli answered all of his questions. Christian then asked Zoli if he would lead him to Christ. After he was sure Christian understood what he was doing, Zoli gladly prayed with Christian who became a Christian. Please PRAY for the growth of Christian Pirgl. He would like to come to church, he had to miss today. Although our attendance was down considerably today, we had good services. Bela Horvath preached three times.

2. Nagykanizsa - Many thanks to those who sent 25th Anniversary greetings to the Olahs. Gedeon reports a good day of growth today with a business meeting.

3. Teaching - Jim has finished teaching his Introduction to Missions class and was humbled by the response of the students. He has joined my parents and siblings for a few days before his return to his waiting family and church. He will fly directly from Oklahoma City on Friday and should be home by Saturday. Please PRAY for his safely as he travels.

4. Family - James' foot is slowly improving. He is at the halfway point before he can get his cast removed. Thank you for praying for him. Anna and Mary both did very well on their piano exam this week at the local music academy. They are working hard at their homeschool lessons. I am grateful for my husband and children. God has been extremely good to me; it has been my privilege to serve Him on the mission field for nearly half of my life. We thank the Lord for the part you have in the ministry here in PRAYER.

If you eat some Turkey Tetrazzini this week, please remember... "When You're Hungry,

PRAY for Hungary!"

Valerie Knies

January 18, 2009

Dear Munchers:

Today, the girls and I were invited for lunch at the Makura's. I thought I smelled Middle Eastern spices when I walked in the door. Guess what we had for lunch? Hungarian Gyros!

1. Pecs - We had a great attendance today with 65 in the morning service including two visitors from out of town. Bela Gado, Jr. did a great job of leading his first special music. He directed the youth choir. Bela and Emilia started a home Bible Study this week in their apartment with good results.

2. Nagykanizsa - There were 16 in the service today, and 8 men prayed before the service. Gedeon and Joli celebrate their 25th Anniversary this week. If you would like to send them greetings, their e-mail address is: gedeon.joly@yahoo.com.

3. Teaching - Jim is halfway through his class of Introduction to Missions at the Baptist College of Ministry in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. He is enjoying his class and wants to thank you for PRAYING for him.

4. Family - James made it safely back to Maranatha on Tuesday. His first days back were difficult, but now things are looking up. He went to the doctor who x-rayed his broken foot, and declared it is beginning to heal nicely. The doctor removed his plaster cast and replaced it with a quilted/velcro cast. He is still on crutches and continues to face the challenge of manuvering around campus for his classes. Please continue to PRAY for his strength and healing.

Some of you wrote in surprise that James is engaged. We announced it last August, but some missed it. He is planning to be married on June 20, 2009 to a lovely young lady named Jamie Harvath from Delton, Michigan. She is an elementary education major presently doing her student teaching.

James and Jamie have sung together in the Maranatha Madrigal choir and played in the Symphonic Band of which Jamie is secretary. She plays the clarinet (James plays the trumpet). They are on track to graduate this Spring. Jim has been spending some time with the two of them this week. This young couple would appreciate if you would PRAY for them as they finish their college training in preparation to serve the Lord together.

Hungarian Gyros are great too! If you haven't tried one, you should. When you do, don't forget...When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!

Valerie Knies

January 11, 2009

Dear Munchers:

James, Anna and Mary appreciate good Middle Eastern food. Believe it or not, the best Gyros we know of in Europe are found right here in Pecs. Our children are enjoying a "Going Away Gyros" treat along with Szilard, who will drive James to the airport in the morning.

1. Pecs - We had sweet services today and 18 for prayer meeting on Saturday morning. This week, Kati Horvath, one of our church members, neighbor and family friend, said good-bye to the woman she has cared for the past several years. It was a Catholic funeral, but Kati was very grateful for our church members who came after the mass to be with her. Sandor, the son of the 83 year old woman who died, came to our morning service today. He received some gospel literature and David Potter was able to witness to him. Sandor will return to California on Tuesday. Pazmanyi Agi came again to our Ladies Bible Study on Friday. She has an appointment to meet with Lajos and Rita Makura on Monday night. Our church has been praying for her salvation and working with her for over a year. Please PRAY for God to work in Sandor's heart and to show Agi her need to be saved.

2. Nagykanizsa - There were 15 in the service today. Gedeon is delighted that there were seven men who prayed together before the service. Tim and Cheryl Hughes arrived safely in Hungary on Friday to help the Olahs in the ministry. They were warmly welcomed by the Olahs and the church family today at a fellowship.

3. Teaching - Jim arrived safely in Chicago on Friday night. He is looking forward to being at the Baptist College of Ministry in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin to challenge the students there about missions.

4. Family - James had a mishap on Monday and broke his foot. He has a knee-high cast and cannot put any pressure on his right foot. We praise the Lord he did not need surgery. After resting for several days, he is going to leave us tomorrow for the long trek back to Marantha BBC in Wisconsin for his final semester in the Pastoral Studies program. Jim will be about one hour away from James, but very busy. Please remember to PRAY for James as he travels back, and also as he manuvers his crutches through the snow, sidewalks, and stairs of the college campus. He will have the cast on for six weeks. We have thoroughly enjoyed having him home with us and thank the Lord for the opportunity. Next time he comes home, he will be a husband!

Gyros are great anytime. If you haven't tried one, you should. When you do,

don't forget...When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!

Valerie Knies

January 4, 2009

Dear Munchers:

It is always good to have A New Muncher around the table. Missionary Jim Pranger and his wife Laura joined us this weekend for the first time. He is A New Muncher and adds a few bytes below:

1. Pecs - Praise the Lord for a full church both morning and night and a great first offering on the first Sunday of the year. We began the New Year with ten couples attending our annual Couples Retreat this weekend. Brother Pranger spoke and Mrs. Pranger challenged the ladies. Brother Pranger preached this morning. Tonight, I was glad to be back in the pulpit again after we remembered the Lord's Supper.

2. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon reports good services today in the new church plant with two visitors in the service. Please PRAY as a young Christian couple, Tim and Cheryl Hughes, arrive this week in Hungary to help the Olahs in the ministry.

3. Teaching - On Friday, I will fly to states to teach a Missions course at Baptist College of Ministry in Menomonee Falls, WI. Please PRAY for traveling mercies and that I would be an encouragement to the students. Valerie should be writing the Munchies for the next few weeks.

4. A New Muncher - Jim Pranger has been a missionary in Siberia for 11 years and now has come to Hungary. He writes,

"We have had a wonderful time in Pecs. The munchies were wonderful, and the fellowship was even better. The only drawback was our inability to speak with these dear people in their own language, We will not leave hungry, but we will leave hungry for God to do something for Hungary. I recommend for you to visit Pecs sometime soon, and bring an appetite!!"

Please PRAY as we anticipate the greatest year in the history of our church in Pecs. Thank you for your faithful PRAYERS and please don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

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December 28, 2008

Dear Munchers:

Early this morning, James and I set out for Nagykanizsa to preach for Gedeon and then needed to return quickly for our evening service. This only gave us time for a delicious but Speedy Lunch at the Olahs. The Lord is giving us many blessings this Christmas season.

1. Pecs - We have thankfully had high attendances for all of our Christmas season services. Bela Horvath preached this morning and challenged the church for needed changes going into 2009. Please PRAY for Bela as he gets closer to becoming the pastor of the church. One elderly lady with an Adventist background has visited several times during the last week or so. Please PRAY for Maria as we seek to minister to her. Please PRAY for a Couples Retreat we will hold this Friday evening and Saturday morning.

2. CD Recording - Our son James grew up together with David Olah, Bela Gado, Jr. and Zoli Kiss, Jr. These young men have been singing together since they were in beginner and primary Sunday School. It has been Valerie's desire for years to do a conservative recording of hymns in Hungarian. On Monday, this quartet will do a professional recording. They sang a concert in our evening service tonight. Please PRAY for this recording tomorrow.

3. Nagykanizsa - The Olahs continue to see the blessings of God in the new church. As 17 year old David Olah is with us tonight, he pens the following note,

"Hi everyone! Can somebody help me? I am starving to death...just kidding. If you are at the Knieses you cannot even talk about this. God is sooo good to us. In Nagykanizsa we are seeing God's hand, as we see people growing and being interested in God's work. They are like babies desiring spiritual milk. We can look forward joyfully to the next year as we can say with Samuel (I Sam.7,12b) "Hitherto hath the LORD helped us." and He will continue to help us in the future, no matter what happens, because "God is good everyday all the time" and we can feel it. Have a blessed year of 2009! Love in Christ, David Olah."

Thank you for standing with us in PRAYER throughout this year. Please continue with us in spiritual warfare into the new year and please don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

December 21, 2008

Dear Munchers:

My boy is home! He is enjoying the PP & KFC & PP (Power Potatoes & Knies' Fried Chicken & Power Peas - of course!). We are also enjoying many spiritual blessings this Christmas season in the ministry.

1. Pecs - Praise the Lord for the full house this morning and packed church tonight. Bela Horvath preached a Christmas message in the morning service. Tonight, we had our annual Christmas Concert. Several first time visitors joined many repeat visitors as the concert proclaimed the glory of Christmas. Everyone seemed to listen intently to the gospel message at the end. Please PRAY for spiritual fruit from many outreach opportunities we have had this month.

2. Nagykanizsa - What an answer to PRAYER to see 42 people attend the Christmas concert in Nagykanizsa, including 14 from our church in Pecs. Gedeon preached a clear gospel message and several received a witness after the service. Please PRAY for the many new contacts the Olahs work with every week and for a larger meeting place to be found.

3. We still have a few special services around Christmas and New Year. Please PRAY for our Couples Retreat January 2 and 3, 2009. Please PRAY for Bela as he PRAYS and plans the church program for 2009.

4. My son James is in his senior year of Bible College training for the ministry. He is a visiting Muncher. He writes,

"It has given me great joy to see my family once again. The work that God has accomplished in the ministry is evident by the zeal portrayed through the Hungarian believers here in Pecs. I thoroughly enjoyed singing tonight in the choir I sang in as a child, and to converse in Hungarian to many of my friends whom I have missed for a long time. Praise the Lord for His bountiful blessings!"

Valerie and I and our children want to wish all the Munchers the best Christmas you and your family have ever had! As you eat special treats this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

December 14, 2008

Dear Munchers:

Wednesday, December 10, 1978 is when I trusted Christ as my personal Savior and have since been enjoying 30 Years of Feasting! What a humbling thought to be 30 years old in the Lord.

1. Pecs - We had an outstanding Sunday today both morning and evening. We praise the Lord for Agnes, a former workmate of Rita Makura, who visited for the first time. In conjunction with my spiritual birthday, I preached about Jeremiah's call to the ministry from Jeremiah 1. Agnes came forward with many other Christians at the invitation. She still has many questions so please PRAY for her salvation. Tonight, the children performed their Christmas play and four returning visitors joined us. To preach the Christmas story to several lost folks was a privilege for me.

2. Nagykanizsa - I had a good time of discussion, planning and PRAYER with Gedeon this week and stayed for their mid-week service. I had the pleasure to preach and I sensed a great liberty of the Holy Spirit among the new believers. Please PRAY for the Christmas Concert with the Olah family and our Pecs musicians at a centrally located rented facility this THURSDAY.

3. Praise the Lord our church received great exposure in the Christmas concert presented at a local museum this past Monday. Our ladies enjoyed teaching the public kindergartners the Christmas story this week. Valerie taught the ladies at their Christmas ladies fellowship on Friday. Please PRAY for these special holiday services:

a. 18th - Christmas Concert in Nagykanizsa

b. 19th - Kindergarten will use our church sanctuary for their closing program

c. 21st - Christmas Sunday with an evening Concert

d. 25th - Christmas service

e. January 2-3 - Couples Retreat

Our son James will be home for the holidays this week. You know how our family enjoys good food. We hope to enjoy 3 Weeks of Feasting. If you should have a Feast this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

December 7, 2008

Dear Munchers:

When my wife comes around the corner, she will be shocked to see me writing A Munchie in the Kitchen. I am heating up some leftover tomato soup and didn't want it to burn, so on the laptop I am writing A Munchie in the Kitchen.

1. What a wonderful day the Lord gave to us in Pecs. We had a full church this morning and the same number tonight as we remembered the Lord's Supper. Bela preached this morning and I this evening. Please PRAY as we have many different Christmas related services in and around our city and in Nagykanizsa. (Valerie just saw me and expressed her surprise.)

2. Gedeon reports a very good service in Nagykanizsa with his normal folks all present as they remembered their second Lord's Supper service. Please PRAY for the Lord to provide a different meeting place according to God's will and timing. Gedeon has an opportunity to rent and/or purchase a large building.

3. Please PRAY for these ministry opportunities in December

a. 8th - We are participating in a Christmas concert at a local museum.
b. 9th - Church ladies will be presenting the Christmas story to the kindergarten.
c. 12th - Ladies Christmas Fellowship
d. 14th p.m. - Chidren's Christmas Drama
e. 18th - Christmas Concert in Nagykanizsa
f. 19th - Kindergarten will use our church sanctuary for their closing program
g. 21st - Christmas Sunday with an evening Concert
h. 25th - Christmas service
i. January 2-3 - Couples Retreat

Anna just saw me pecking away in the Kitchen and said, "Dad, you could say...A Munchie from the kitchen." Well you get the idea. So when you are in the kitchen this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!

Jim Knies

December 2, 2008

Dear Munchers:

Thanks you for PRAYING with us for the Pieri family these months. Please focus your PRAYERS for the funeral Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. (9:00 eastern time in the USA).

Larry sent this message on Monday,
 "This morning at 6:45 Marilyn went into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. She ran her race well. She had a stellar testimony during her life and time of illness. Her serene angelic smile touched many lives. Pray for the funeral and people attending, especially the lost, on Wednesday at 3 PM here in Aprilia.

 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
 Larry and family

November 30, 2008

Dear Munchers:

The leftover Thanksgiving Turkey was not enough for lunch today so we had Turkey and Fried Chicken. God continues to bless in both Pecs and Nagykanizsa.

1. Pecs - It was great being back in the pulpit again in Pecs. With our prospective pastor, Bela Horvath, and his family gone on a needed break, I preached in the morning service and was thankful to see Christians respond at the invitation. Please PRAY as we are practicing and preparing for several Christmas concerts in various locations in December.

2. Nagykanizsa - "Ring the Bells of Heaven." Joszef, a 54 year old man, just moved to Nagykanizsa a few days ago and visited our new church plant on Thursday. He returned to church this morning and responded to the gospel message and was saved. Gedeon is encouraged by the Lord's working there and values your continued PRAYER.

3. We hosted three missionary families in our home this weekend for our annual Thanksgiving get together. This is always a good time of refreshment and fellowship for all, especially the children.

4. Praise the Lord that Jean Potter had successful surgery to remove a small mass in her lung. It was not cancerous. She will remain in the hospital for a few more days to be sure all is well. Please continue to PRAY for Jean Potter. Please also PRAY for much grace and wisdom for Larry and Marilyn Pieri as she grows weaker in her battle with cancer. Today is Marilyn's birthday.

My Fried Chicken was a new recipe that I had never tried before. Please PRAY with us for many more new blessings as we labor on for Christ. Please remember this week. . . "When You're Hungary, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

November 23, 2008

Valerie here. Today the girls and I enjoyed a delicious lunch at the home of our dear Auntie Jolanka. She is Jolanda Olah's mother and lives near our church in Pecs. She brilliantly prepared chicken soup and then battered and fried the boiled chicken after the soup broth was clear and delicious. We had a lovely lunch and a lovely day at church today.

1. Pecs - On Friday night, the all-time attendance record for Ladies Bible Study was broken as we had 22 ladies present to hear Emilia Rakovics speak. The small apartment of the Makura's was packed. We had two very sweet church prayer meetings on Wednesday and Saturday. Bela preached this morning about spiritual laziness and several people responded. Tonight Dave Potter preached, but I missed his sermon as I was observing Brigitta Reti teaching her first class of Junior Church. We had a long and serious practice with the choir after the service in preparation for our Christmas Concert.

There will be a youth activity this coming Saturday. Please begin to PRAY now about these outreach opportunities.

2. Romania - Jim is presently making the five hour drive home from Romania. Jim preached there six times in two churches. Today he preached about soulwinning, and he reports the Spirit of God worked in several hearts. Three feet of snow fell while he was there and he said the resulting landscape was breathtaking. Please PRAY for those who made decisions this week in Romania.

3. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon reports a good day. He and Jolanda are working steadily with contacts and new converts from the meetings last week. Please PRAY for the Olahs as the continue their diligent work.

4. Special Request - Our co-worker, Jean Potter, will be going in for surgery this week.

Dave writes the following: "In January of this year doctors found a 13 millimeter spot on my wife's right lung that was cause for concern. The location behind the collar bone made taking a biopsy difficult. They recommended monitoring the spot for further developments. Another scan taken last month showed that the spot had grown to 17 millimeters (about the size of a quarter). Further testing has convinced the doctors here that the risk of waiting now exceed the risks of surgery. Her surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, November 25. We would appreciate your prayers. I will be posting further developments on our web site. Go to http://www.missioncentral.net/miss/potter/index.htm and click on Our Journal." Please PRAY for Jean this week.

5. Thanksgiving - We will be hosting three missionary families this week for our annual Thanksgiving dinner. This will be our 16th Thanksgiving in Hungary. There will be 14 of us spending the night in our house on Friday night. It should be quite a celebration.

May I invite you to take look at my website at http://www.valerieknies.com/. There are many ministry pictures there and my music is presently on special offer for Christmas.

From our family to yours, we want to wish you all a Blessed Thanksgiving. We are truly grateful for your many prayers on our behalf. Maybe you should try batter fried boiled TURKEY this week and remember . . ."When You're Hungry, PRAY for Hungary!"

Valerie Knies

***Holiday Special*** What a great way to remove a swath of names off your Christmas shopping list by going to Valerie's website and order some CDs of conservative Christian music. She just dropped the price to $10 each. Please visit her website at www.valerieknies.com

Pork or Turkey? Such choices. Thank you for CHOOSING to PRAY for us in Hungary as your representatives. When you sit down to eat this week, and you are facing a choice, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

November 16, 2008

Dear Munchers:

We spent the weekend at the Olah home and enjoyed stuffed cabbage every day. In deference to my wife's Pork allergy, the stuffed cabbage were made with either ground Pork or ground Turkey. God's blessings this week gave us NO choice but to Praise Him!

1. Nagykanisza - The Olah family worked to prepare for a weekend of evangelistic meetings at a rented facility in the center of town. Praise the Lord for 20 first time visitors throughout the weekend. Many of them were personally presented the gospel again after they heard the evangelistic preaching. Two men were saved - Gabor and Laszlo. Gabor visited on Saturday night and came to church this morning and was saved. He was back at the rented hall tonight. Saturday night we were blessed to have 38 come to the meetings. Tonight only three visitors came and Laszlo reported that God had clearly led him to the meeting. Afterwards he PRAYED with Gedeon to be saved. Please also PRAY for another older couple who were both counseled and close to salvation. Please PRAY for lasting fruit from the follow-up.

2. Pecs - Praise the Lord for workers from Pecs who came to help in the meetings in the new church Friday and Saturday nights. Today, the Lord used the preaching of Bela Horvath in the morning and Zoltan Kiss, Jr. tonight.

The Monday through Wednesday Missions Conference meetings were blessed by God. Pastor Mark Booth preached excellent clear messages each night and a number of decisions were made. Our second year of Faith Promise commitments started off very well.

3. Romania - This weekend I have been invited to preach in two independent Baptist churches. Please PRAY that we will be a blessing to these churches.

***Holiday Special*** What a great way to remove a swath of names off your Christmas shopping list by going to Valerie's website and order some CDs of conservative Christian music. She just dropped the price to $10 each. Please visit her website at www.valerieknies.com

Pork or Turkey? Such choices. Thank you for CHOOSING to PRAY for us in Hungary as your representatives. When you sit down to eat this week, and you are facing a choice, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

November 9, 2008

Dear Munchers:

When Pastor Mark Booth (see his visiting Muncher report below) saw his plate of Hungarian food at lunch today, he said it was "Too Much Food!" Our Missions Conference is full of abundant blessings as well.

1. Pecs - Praise the Lord for an excellent start to our Missions Conference. We had excellent attendance at church PRAYER meeting Saturday morning. Pastor Booth spoke to the men while Mrs. Booth challenged the ladies. Our people enthusiastically took part in wearing International dress last night. You can see some pictures from last night by accessing my co-worker, David Potter's site at
http://www.missioncentral.net/miss/potter/index.htm and click on "Our Journal"

Pastor Booth has been used of God to challenge our hearts for missions and many decisions were seen in both the morning and evening services. The highlight of the day was the return of the Olah family, our missionaries. What a stirring and encouraging service we had tonight.

Please PRAY as we continue our Missions Conference each night this week through Wednesday night.

2. Pastor Mark Booth is a supporting pastor and long-time Muncher. He writes,

"We thank the Lord for the opportunity that we have had to visit with the Knies family. It is very clear that they have a love for the Lord and the Hungarian people. The opportunity to minister to the people of Bible Baptist Church has been a great encouragement to us. It has been a blessing to hear several people give testimony to the fact that they have been saved through the ministry of the church.

"Another blessing has been to see how the people have received the preaching of the Word of God. A majority of the people have been faithful to every service in which the Word of God has been preached. Most of the people are like sponges desiring to soak in the Word of God in their lives.

"A third blessing has been to see how many of the people in Bible Baptist Church have a desire to serve the Lord full-time. They have this vision from the Knies family and see that there is great harvest field in their country and around the world. God has truly been good to Sharon and me to give us this opportunity of ministering with the Knies family."

3. Nagykanizsa - Please PRAY for evangelistic services in Nagykanizsa in a rented hall this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Gedeon has asked me to preach these meetings and some folks from Pecs will come to help with visitors and providing special music. Please PRAY for souls to be saved and new people to be contacted.

These meetings have us bulging with blessings. Thank you for your on-going PRAYERS this week. When you look around the table this week and conclude, "Too Much Food," please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

November 2, 2008

Dear Munchers:

You look at the picture in the cookbook and conclude, "I can try to cook that, but it will never turn out like the Picture." Yet, every once in a while, the seasoning and presentation turns out Just Like the Picture! Today was one of those ideal days when one could see how the Lord is answering your PRAYERS and building churches in Hungary!

1. Nagykanizsa - The Olah family ministered in a Missions Conference in Romania this weekend. My daughter, Anna, and I traveled to the new church early this morning to serve in their place. We found a number of attentive, responsive and appreciative Christians in the morning service. The Lord is answering your PRAYERS and is using the Olah family to build an excellent work for His glory.

2. Pecs - I heard great reports of the morning service where Bela Horvath preached and people responded. As we remembered the Lord's Supper tonight, we had a Sunday morning crew in church Sunday night. I think we had the most people partake of the Lord's Supper than we have ever had. Bela again preached a good message.

3. Please PRAY for our Missions Conference starting next weekend. Pastor and Mrs. Mark Booth will minister to our church. We begin with an International night Saturday and services next Sunday through Wednesday. We are looking forward to hearing from the Gedeon Olah family and the Ervin Andrasik family, Gedeon and Ervin are married to sisters. The Andrasik family is doing an excellent job in Dunakeszi, just north of Budapest, planting the Independent Baptist Church of Dunakeszi. Our church hopes to begin supporting this family soon.

4. Please continue to PRAY for the following health needs:

a) Mrs. Marilyn Pieri in Italy in her battle with cancer.

b) Valerie needs strength and stamina.

c) Jean Potter, our co-worker, as she has a health need.

We never forget the privilege we have being your representatives in Hungary. The battle for lost soul rages. Please PRAY on as we press on in Pecs and please don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

October 26, 2008

Dear Munchers:

We picked up some Chinese Cabbage and needed to cook it up. You would think that our Hungarian guests would get used to the fact that everything I cook is always Unique. Today, along with lunch, we served Unique Chinese Cabbage! The Lord continues to do Unique things among us.

1. Pecs - With our European time change last night, almost everyone was in their place in church before Sunday School. With our Missions Conference just two weeks away, I challenged our church regarding world missions beginning first at home in Pecs. We already received our first Faith Promise commitment card for next year. Please PRAY for Pastor and Mrs. Mark Booth from Charlotte, Michigan as they come to minister along with two Hungarian missionary families for our Missions Conference.

2. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon had a Unique Sunday in that they remembered the Lord's Supper for the first time. The Olahs need your on-going PRAYERS as they minister to many new converts and contacts.

3. November - Next month will bring many opportunties to preach in Pecs, Nagykanizsa and Romania. Please PRAY:

a. November 2 - I will be preaching for Gedeon in Nagykanizsa as his family has been invited to a Missions Conference in Romania.

b. November 8-12 - Missions Conference in Pecs

c. November 14-16 - I will be preaching in Nagykanizsa for a three day evangelistic meeting. PRAY for many new people to be reached.

d. November 21-23 - I will be preaching in Stei, Romania at an independent Baptist church.

4. Health - Valerie needs prayer for strength and stamina. Please PRAY on for Marilyn Pieri serving in Italy, as she continues to battle with cancer.

What Unique days of blessing and privilege to trust and serve the Lord in days of spiritual peril and financial upheaval. What a Unique time to proclaim God's certain truths to people in great uncertainty. Certainly, you will pop something Unique in your mouth this week. When you do, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

October 19, 2008

Dear Munchers:

Returning home from Rome, we traversed the Tuscan topography and decided to stop for Falafels in Florence! The cook, of Lebanese origin, carefully crafted the flavorful Falafels in Florence.

1. Near Rome, Italy - We were deeply humbled and privileged to spend three precious days with our good friends Larry and Marilyn Pieri and their children, Faith and Joseph. Marilyn is battling advanced stage cancer and manifests a wonderful testimony to the lost Italians around her. Please PRAY with us for God's grace and healing according to His will.

2. Pecs - We remembered our annual Family Day with special preaching on the family and enjoying a fellowship lunch at the church. Praise the Lord for two first time visitors and God moving in hearts on both the morning and evening service. Seeing the contrasts of ministry and culture in Italy and Hungary this week, I am so THANKFUL for the faithful group of believers - our family - God has gathered in Pecs for His glory.

3. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon reports an excellent service today in the new church work. All the new baptized people were in their places. I am looking forward to preaching twice in November for Gedeon including an evangelistic weekend, November 14-16. Please PRAY.

Our family loves Arabic food though it is rarely presents itself. When you are presented with your favorite food this week, please don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

October 13, 2008

Dear Munchers:

Valerie and I barreled down the Italian Autostrada between Trieste and Venice in the middle of the night - hence no Munchie last night. But we enjoyed a Midnight Snack as the kilometers whizzed by.

1. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon Olah gave me the great privilege to preach in the new work yesterday, exactly one year to the day when they started their Bible studies. Praise the Lord for spiritually hungry converts growing on the Word of God. Rejoice with us as Gedeon baptized his first four believers after stirring testimonies of salvation. About 20 people from Pecs came to witness this grand service. Please PRAY for the Lighthouse Baptist Church and the Olah family.

2. Pecs - Bela Horvath preached a good message and saw Christians make decisions. Thank you for PRAYING for Bence Nagy, the university student who visited last week. He desires to be discipled and baptized. Please PRAY for annual Family Day next Sunday and our Missions Conference November 8-12.

3. Near Rome, Italy - Last week I received the somber update from my missionary friend Larry Pieri regarding his wife Marilyn facing an advanced stage of cancer. After the service in Hungary, we drove ten hours to spend a few days encouraging and helping this dear missionary couple. Brother Larry is one of the greatest soulwinners I know. We are all PRAYING for God's Name will be glorified through this fiery trial.

We plan to drive home sometime this week to be at our Family Day in Pecs next Sunday. Please PRAY for God to use us in Rome this week and then back in Hungary. Whether at Midnight or whenever you have a Snack, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

October 5, 2008

Dear Munchers:

As one of our guests had special dietary needs, I baked plain, seasoned chicken breasts for lunch. My brilliant wife Valerie suggested I make a Fresh Mushroom Sauce for the rest of us normal, hungry people. Now don't even THINK of a can opener when you imagine me making the Fresh Mushroom Sauce. Reports on my first try at the Sauce were very positive and provided a Fresh taste with the chicken. The Lord has been giving us many Fresh tastes these days.

1. Pecs - Praise the Lord for a wonderful day of service and blessing in church today as attendance was up a bit. God is using Bela Horvath, our prospective pastor, in the pulpit. Tonight we remembered the Lord's Supper and I preached on Having a Heart for the Local Church. Bence, a senior at the local university, visited tonight and enjoyed the message and fellowship. We have hope that he will return soon. Dr. David Potter just finished teaching Biblical Separation in our Bible Institute and will immediately begin teaching the book of Acts tomorrow night. The students all do well in their studies and we are thankful for this deep rooting ministry.

2. Nagykanizsa - I rejoiced to have a good visit at the new church plant this week. Thursday night I found a number of new converts who continue to carefully learn the foundational truths of the Bible from their pastor, Gedeon. Please PRAY for next Sunday as there will be five baptismal candidates giving their testimonies and getting baptized. This will be exactly one year to the day (10/12) when the Olahs had their first service in Nagykanizsa. Praise the Lord for one man who PRAYED and received the Lord this morning in Nagykanizsa.

We are thankful for what the Lord is doing to see souls saved, believers discipled, and churches planted. However, I am constantly reminded of so many more Hungarian cities in need of a new church. So when you slather on the Sauce this week to one of your meals, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!

Jim Knies

September 29, 2008

Dear Munchers:

Our special Sunday lunch today featured Leftovers and Lasagna. We gave our girls and two teen guests the Lasagna and Valerie and I ate the Leftovers. Both were excellent. God continues to give us the best!

1. Pecs - Today was a rewarding Sunday as two preachers in training preached - Bela Horvath in the morning service and Zoli Kiss, Jr. in the evening service. What a blessing to see Hungarians effectively reaching and discipling Hungarians. Praise the Lord for one first time visitor, Krisztina, a long-time friend of Rita Makura. Please PRAY as God continues to build the work in Pecs. Our people remain soul conscious and committed to PRAYER!

2. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon reports another great day in the new work with ten local folks added to their family of six. Please PRAY as they conduct their first baptismal service in two weeks corresponding to the one year anniversary of starting Bible studies in their city. Please PRAY for the many spiritual and ministry responsibilities of the Olahs.

One week you may have Lasagna, another week just Leftovers. We can be equally thankful for both. Praise the Lord God always gives us the best. So when you are hungry this week and delve into the best, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!

Jim Knies

September 21, 2008

Dear Munchers:   "Tomeg az Asztal Korul" is Hungarian for "Crowd Around the Table." What a glorious day of feasting as God brought a Tomeg az Asztal Korul. We had a bountiful Fellowship Lunch AND Fellowship Dinner with the leftovers tonight after the service. Even though this Hungarian title is missing the appropriate consonant accents, there were no shortage of God's blessing.   1. Ring the Bells of Heaven! God wonderfully blessed our second Friend Day with 65 in attendance including a number of first time and returning visitors. Aniko, neighbor of David Potter, attended and listened carefully to the gospel. After the service Andi Gado led her to Christ! Please PRAY for Aniko - she has a desire to return next Sunday.   I was thankful to see some of my old friends return. One highlight for me was that Zsuzsa Temesi came. She is the leader of the kindergarten using our building. Zsuzsa brought her work colleague, Gisela and both listened to the preaching. Please also PRAY for Maria Meszaros, a 45 year old lady brought by my daughter, Anna. Other new folks have begun visiting over the past few weeks. Please PRAY for lasting fruit from these new souls.   2. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon reports a full week of blessing in the new church plant. Praise the Lord that two souls were saved this week - one on Tuesday and one today. Gedeon hosted a fellowship in his home this afternoon and 23 were present including some of his new neighbors. Gedeon is now preparing six to be baptized on the first anniversary of starting the Bible Study, October 12. Please PRAY for this new church plant.   3. Tonight, Bela Horvath shared his testimony, call to the ministry and vision for the future of the church. The people asked good questions. I am endeavoring to take an even further step into the background as Bela begins leading the church. Please PRAY for God to give Bela wisdom and courage to step up and lead and for the people to follow.   You may not have many around your table each meal or you may have a Tomeg az Asztal Korul. Just please don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"   Jim Knies

September 14, 2008

Dear Munchers:   We had trouble naming today's lunch concoction so we settled on, "Knies's Kaposzta," or KK for short. My wife's blending of rice, ground turkey, onions, sour cream, paprika and Kaposzta (Hungarian for cabbage but in this case, sauerkraut) turned out very delicious. Similarily, we are enjoying what God is doing in our midst.   1. Pecs - What a joy to be home to preach morning and evening in the church and see the tender response of His people to the preaching. We held our first of two Friend Days today. Two first time visitors and three unsaved folks were present as the gospel was preached. Please PRAY with us as we work toward our second Friend Day next Sunday. We will have a fellowship lunch and that usually garners more visitors - Hhmmm!   2. Nagykanizsa - I just got opff the phone with Gedeon and he reports another excellent Sunday with a responsive core of people growing in the Lord. FIVE people are awaiting their first baptismal service on October 12 - which is the first anniversary since they began meeting. Please PRAY for more to be reached through this exciting new church plant.   3. Dublin, Ireland - I was very thankful to be able to teach Missions in the Bible College there and witness what God is doing in this foundational church in Ireland. I was deeply moved to hear at their weekly gathering, Irish pastors crying out to God to send a revival across Ireland. They are preparing a massive outreach to every home in Ireland next spring. Honestly, God has been working in my heart for a number of weeks now about the need to PRAY for revival in Hungary and for more new churches to be planted. Kaposzta (cabbage) is a staple in many Hungarian dishes. If you enjoy some cabbage this week, please don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"   Jim Knies

August 31, 2008

John Knies (April 9, 1925 - August 30, 2008)

With a thankful heart, I report that my father, John Knies, is enjoying the wonderful blessings of heaven.  My Dad peacefully passed into the presence of the Lord early Saturday morning.  It was his testimony along with my sister, Gabriellle Riley, that the Lord used to influence me toward salvation.  My Dad always had a sweet and gracious disposition to all those he knew.  We will miss him but are thankful for the richness of his life and testimony.  His funeral will likely be on Wednesday of this week in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area.

1.  Pecs - I had the joy of preaching all day in Pecs.  I preached on the Characteristics of Backsliding.  Thankfully, many believers made decisions this morning.

Please PRAY as we will have a baptismal service next Sunday.  Please also PRAY for our two annual Friend Days - September 14 and 21.  These are big evangelistic pushes.

2.  Nagykanizsa - I was thankful for the chance to spend Thursday this week PRAYING and planning with Gedeon regarding the new work.  I sensed a wonderful spirit among the new believers as I preached in the mid-week service.  Gedeon is preparing for his first baptism, which will be soon.  They had 15 in their service this morning.

3.  Budapest - Bela Horvath preached for our last week of watching over the Bible Baptist Church.  I grew to appreciate the believers there and made some personal friends.

4.  Kindergarten - It is hard to believe that the upstairs of our building looks like a kindergarten.  The first children will arrive in the morning.  Contracts have been signed and a great relationship has been established already in the community.  Please PRAY that the Lord will use this to enable us to reach new families.

5.  Ireland - Brother David O'Gorman called me this week and, due to a schedule conflict, he needed some help at the last minute.  The Lord has worked it out for me to travel to Dublin tomorrow and teach a Bible College course on Missions for twelve days.  Please PRAY that my ministry would be used by the Lord to encourage the students and this exceptional church in Ireland.

We are looking to the Lord for a very full and fruitful autumn of ministry for the Lord..  Your encouragement and prayers are always welcome and greatly valued.  Please don't forget... "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

August 24, 2008

Dear Munchers:   You've never eaten at the Road Kill Cafe? Poodles and Noodles...yummm. German Shepherd Pie...delicious. Even the Chinese have a new cookbook..."100 Ways to Wok your Dog." I have driven about 2000 kilometers the past ten days and I have seen several delicacies on the road! Now on to the good stuff....   1. Pecs - We were surely blessed with the BEST Family Camp we ever had with 50 attending (49+our church dog, Bukta). Missionary David O'Gorman preached excellent powerful messages that made a great impact upon our church. Praise the Lord that 11 year old Gabor PRAYED to accept Christ the last night of the camp. Gabor is from Gedeon's new church in Nagykanizsa. Gabor was in our church all day and has voraciously been reading the Bible since his conversion. The full spiritual impact of the camp was evidenced in an excellent all church PRAYER meeting yesterday. The Lord gave good services today with Bela Horvath and Dave Potter preaching.   2. Nagykanizsa - Praise the Lord for 16 in attendance. Gedeon preached about the local church and five indicated their desire to participate in their first baptism service, likely in October. Please PRAY as I seek to journey to Nagykanizsa this week to spend some time in strategic PRAYER and planning with Gedeon.   3. Budapest - Sadly, I departed from Bible Baptist Church for the last time this summer. Bela will preach the final week next weekend. The Lord gave us good services today with very responsive believers. It was only in the last two weeks that God made it clear why I ministered in Budapest this summer. Before I had seen Budapest as just a beautiful tourist city. Now I have clearly seen that more than two million people live there, overwhelmingly without Christ. To plant a new conservative, evangelistic, independent Baptist church in this great city may be one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century.   4. Kindergarten - It seems that the Lord is bringing many things together to enable us to house the local public kindergarten for the next school year. Our desire is to help our community who is in great need of an immediate location. We are offering very reasonable terms and the city has gladly accepted. We desire two things to emerge from this undertaking: 1) A positive community image of our church. 2) Be enabled to reach some of the many young families bringing their children to kindergarten in our building. The Lord has already given us a lot of "positive press" in the local papers regarding our willingness to help. Even the mayor of the city wrote a small article acknowledging the very positive terms we are offering to help them. Please PRAY as the kindergarten will be in full swing next week.   5. Health - Thank you PRAYING for my Dad. He has still not left the hospital after his open heart surgery a number of weeks ago. He is not getting worse but he is not getting better either. Please PRAY for grace and wisdom. Though my summer travels are winding down, our autumn schedule is heating up. Thank you for PRAYING and upholding this ministry in the days and weeks ahead. They may not have a Road Kill Cafe in your town but when you taste a delicacy this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"   Jim Knies   August 17, 2008   Dear Munchers:   Praise the Lord for exciting days of blessing here in Hungary. Don't miss one Important Bite!   1. Pecs - The Lord gave us a great day in church as almost everyone returned from their summer travels and ministry. The Lord brought 54 to our services and I heard Bela preached very well in the morning and Zoli Kiss, Jr. preached in the evening service.   2. Nagykanizsa - I just got off the phone with Gedeon and he remains very encouraged by the faithfulness of the local folks together with his family. God blessed their services with 14 in attendance.   3. Budapest - I am writing this from the Bible Baptist Church in Budapest. The Lord brought 15 different folks to our services today. One church member remarked that he has learned a lot this summer from all our church folks who have come up to minister this summer. He said he sensed a renewed spirit of unity in the church.   4. Matty - Everyone is gearing up for our annual Family Camp this week in Matty, very near the Croatian border. We are expecting one of our largest attendances with 50 people attending. Missionary David O'Gorman, his wife Valerie and their daughter will minister with us at camp. Please PRAY as I will depart Budapest tomorrow at dawn to drive to Bratislava, Slovakia to pick up the O'Gormans. We will drive straight south to the camp site then return to Budapest on Friday for an evening service in Budapest. Early Saturday morning, it is back to Bratislava to send the O'Gormans back to Ireland.   5. Wedding Bells - Valerie and I are delighted to announce the engagement of our son, James, to Jamie Harvath. James and Jamie will both graduate next May from Bible College and plan a June wedding in Michigan. Jamie comes from a good Christian home where she has served in a local Baptist church all of her life. They both are headed for full-time Chrisrian service together as the Lord leads them. James' e-mail address is: kniesjr@gmail.com   Please don't think you have firgured out how to correctly pronounced, Matty, the little village where we will hold our Family Camp. I don't think I can even spell it out phonetically. But don't worry it is NOT an Important Bite! Whatever you Bite into this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"   Jim Knies

August 10, 2008 Dear Munchers: I became the impromptu cook at our Youth Week the last seven days. The parents sent up some foodstuffs which was a great help to keep expenses down. Some Unique Concoctions were presented for consumption. Praise the Lord all survived! The Lord is doing some Unique things among us these days. 1. Pecs - Considering all the families and people ministering elsewhere, there was a great attendance at the main church. Bela continues to preach excellent messages and our people are gearing up for our annual Family Camp next week. Please PRAY as missionary partner David O'Gorman from Ireland will preach to us. We expect one of the largest crowds in years. 2. Nagykanizsa - The Gado family visited the new work here this morning. Gedeon reports the Holy Spirit's blessing on the preaching as nine local people attended besides the 6 Olahs and 4 Gados. Please PRAY for God's further blessing upon the Olah family. 3. Budapest - We were also surprised by the Schneider family who took an early morning train from Pecs to be with us. Three men responded to the invitation after I preached on the importance of a godly Christian home. About 20 were present in the services today. 4. Dunakeszi - We brought the youth group to the Independent Baptist Church of Dunakeszi last Wednesday night. This fledging church is pastored by Ervin Andrasik, the brother-in-law of Gedeon Olah. We rejoiced to see a good crowd and even two new visitors. This church is in a booming suburb north of Budapest. I am planning to preach their weekend of evangelistic meetings at the end of September. We also hope to have the Andrasik family for our Missions Conference in Pecs in November as this family is still very much a church planting missionary in need of support. 5. Praise the Lord that it seems like the kindergarten will be using our church building for the next ten months. Though we will have to squeeze a bit, the terms will be in our favor. We are most excited about the public goodwill this has already generated. I am told the mayor of the city is aware of our offer to help and believes our terms are very reasonable to help them through their crisis. Please PRAY for us that God will use these next months to reach new families for Christ. 6. Thank you for PRAYING for my father, John Knies, who has improved after some serious complications following his open heart surgery. He still needs your PRAYERS! I must confess to a bit of road-weariness but what a joy to serve the Lord preaching and hearing young Timothys preaching God's Word. When you look into the fridge this week and wonder what Unique Concoction will emerge from the leftovers, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!: Jim Knies

August 3, 2008

Dear Munchers:

I like Hot Soup to be Piping Hot Soup! My rule of thumb, if you'll excuse the pun, is that if you can stick your finger in the Soup, it is not Hot enough! These summer days are Piping Hot and full of blessings!

Our summer travels continue to give many church members and our family multiple blessings.

1. Nagykanizsa - Praise the Lord for successful sinus cavity laser surgery for Gedeon this past week. Though he enjoyed a swift recovery, I was thankful to preach for Gedeon last Thursday and this morning. The Lord continues to bless with an eagerness among the core people and regular visitors from week to week. The Olahs have completed their move to Nagykanizsa. They send out occasional e-mail updates. Please contact them at: gedeon.joly@yahoo.com to request them.

2. Pecs - I hurried back to be in the afternoon service in Pecs. What a vibrant, excellent service we had. We had more in the evening service than in the morning. God blessed with a new visitor. The four teens gave a report from their ministry in Romania and others testified of their wonderful experiences at the church in Budapest. We remembered the Lord's Supper and Lajos Makura, the man God brought back from the brink of death, preached a challenging sermon.

3. Budapest - The David Potter family reported good services in Budapest this weekend. Brother Dave said people especially respondeded well to the teaching and preaching.

4. Please PRAY:
         a. God has presented what may be an excellent outreach opportunity. Remember when we had to spend so much money reinforcing our building a few years ago? Some area schools never reinforced their buildings and the day of reckoning has come for them. Engineers will not sign off on another school year. The parents of school children all around our area are very concerned about their future. We have offered to help the school by allowing the upper floor of our building to be temporarily used for the local kindergarten. This will give us much positive community rapport and of course much contact with young families on a regular basis. This is a very fast moving process which could end as fast as it started. Tonight, our church overwhelmingly voted in favor of proceeding. Please join us in PRAYER for God's will to be done.

       b. Tomorrow, I will take a group of teens up to the church in Budapest for Youth Week. We will minister in two different churches and spend time in fellowship and "exploring."

       c. Our Family Camp which begins two weeks from tomorrow. Missionary colleague David O'Gorman from Ireland will be preaching for us.

       d. My father, John Knies, is still in fair condition after complications following his heart surgery. Please PRAY for healing and strength. My father-in-law, Neno Quintana, suffered a heart attack this past week. He is now at home after a brief hospitalization.

We have started heating up the Soup for this Fall with many evangelistic outreaches and Bible Institutete courses planned. When you delve into some Piping Hot food this week, please don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

July 27, 2008

Dear Munchers: Thank you for PRAYING for our trip to Germany this week. We just got home after a quick ten hour drive from Stuttgart, Germany! As soon as I crossed the Hungarian border and I received a Hungarian cell signal, I joyfully started calling all around to see how all the church services went..... 1. Germany - God gave us a great week of fellowship and refreshment at our annual BWM European Family Retreat. We spent the weekend with 40 year missionary veterans Russ and Mary Lou Frederick. We were thankful to preach this morning in their church and I felt I was able to "connect" with the congregation. 2. Pecs - Dave Potter reported good services all day though attendance was way down with several families and youth gone ministering in different places. New convert Erika returned to the services today. Please PRAY for our Church Camp August 18-23 with Missionary David O'Gorman from Ireland speaking. 3. Nagykanizsa - Gedeon ALMOST had more people in his service than Pecs! He rejoiced to see 12 local folks and his family numbering seven. There is a great spirit in the new work. 4. Budapest - The Bela Gado family and Lajos Makura family spent the week in Budapest and ministered this weekend. They had the time of their lives. Nothing like Hungarians connecting with Hungarians. Everyone was greatly encouraged and attendance was higher than normal. 5. Romania - I received a brief report that the group of four teens are having a good time ministering in the camp and were out evangelizing this past weekend. They will be there one more week. We still have five busy weeks left this summer before we all gather together in Pecs to launch into our regular evangelistic outreaches in autumn. When you are hungry for a Midnight Snack this week, please don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!" Jim Knies

July 21, 2008

Dear Munchers:

You German-language Munchers will know that I am sending you A Little Sauerkraut!

1. We were thankful to the Lord to safely make it to Germany for our annual BWM Family Retreat. Please PRAY for God's revival and refreshment in our lives this week as we are challenged by the preaching of Ron Brooks and David Canedy. The fellowship with missionary friends has been a blessing already.

2. Praise the Lord for good services in the three churches where our church folks ministered yesterday.

a. In Pecs, I heard that Bela preached good messages. All the regular folks and two new converts/contacts were present. Earlier in the week, we continued canvassing Kozarmisleny, a bedroom community near Pecs, with Scripture portions and church invitations. Please PRAY for God to continue to grow our church in Pecs.

b. In Nagykanizsa, Gedeon reports a very good Sunday there with seven local folks joining his family. God is answering your PRAYER in this new work. Please PRAY on for the salvation of Tony.

c. In Budapest, I was thankful to see fifteen gather for our services which included a fellowship lunch. We had an early afternoon service after lunch. The Gado family and Makura family will be at the church in Budapest all this week and preach in all the services this weekend.

3. A group of four young people traveled to Romania to minister in churches and in a Christian camps for two weeks. This has been a great summer of many varied experiences in ministry for our church people

4. I am humbled and very thankful to the Lord for allowing my 83 year old father, John Knies, to endure triple bypass open heart surgery on Friday. Please PRAY for my Dad's recovery.

With the early afternoon service in Budapest, we were enabled by the Lord to journey over to Stuttgart, Germany by 1:00 am - just a short nine and a half hour drive. Along many kilometers of travels and in many days of ministry, your PRAYERS are valued and needed. Nothing "Sauer" about our ministry here. We are just praising the Lord for His Sweet blessings. If you per chance have Sauerkraut this week, or even Sweet and Sour Chicken, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

July 2008 Prayer Letter

 Dear Praying Friends:

We are praising the Lord for His marvelous work among us these months. We have seen the fruit of years of labor culminate in wonderful landmarks for God's glory! You can get a weekly report of all the blessings by sending your email address to knies@dravanet.hu to receive the Hungarian Munchies.

Thank the Lord for regular progress and growth in the church in Pecs. We continue to emphasize corporate PRAYER. The Men's PRAYER meeting held every Saturday morning for 12 years morphed into all-church PRAYER meetings every Saturday morning and Wednesday night. In May, Erzsi Csegregi received Christ during our services. We continue to see others saved and to work hard on discipling our converts. I am thankful for a loving church family that remembered my 50th birthday at a surprise fellowship after a morning service. Please PRAY for the Lord to further spiritually prosper the church.

Dr. Terry Price and his wife, Colene taught a children's ministry course to 22 students in our Bible Institute. Their testimony and the preaching of Dr. Price had a great impact on our people.

June brought historic events in our church history. Ten pastors from six churches and three countries gathered to form an ordination council to examine Gedeon Olah for the ministry. Gedeon did an excellent job defending his faith and call to the ministry. On June 8, ninety-two gathered to witness the first graduation service of our Bible Institute. Bela Horvath, our prospective national pastor graduated along with Gedeon Olah. Later that day, we were privileged to ordain Gedeon to the Gospel ministry and to commission the Olahs as our first missionaries to plant a new church in Nagykanizsa, Hungary. Dr. David Cummins surprised the Olahs by flying to Hungary for the special weekend.

On June 15, we rejoiced to baptize Erzsi Csepregi and Vivien Bodo into the membership of the church. Twelve fathers lined up across the front of the church that morning on Father's Day! That evening, we rejoiced to have a 'mortgage burning' service marking the complete payments of all debt on our church building.

In one day, the Olahs sold their home in Pecsand purchased a beautiful home in Nagykanizsa. On June 22, we rejoiced to see 31 in attendance for the first Sunday service of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Nagykanizsa. The Olahs will move to their new city in July. Please pray for the new work.

On June 10, we received a group of seven young people from my home church. They labored unceasingly in physical work and spiritual ministry. Praise the Lord for a successful children's Bible week. Attendance was down but we were able to see 23 new children come. Several interested parents came, and we will be following up these contacts.

From June 29 to the end of the summer, I have taken the oversight of the Bible Baptist Church in Budapest. This will give the young people and preachers in training opportunities to minister in another church. In fact, these past two Sundays have seen preachers from our church preach in four different churches in Hungary and Romania. Please PRAY for much fruit and blessing.

Please visit Valerie's updated website to view ministry pictures at: www.valerieknies.com. We really appreciate and deeply value your PRAYERS and remind you to remember. . .' When You're Hungry, PRAY for Hungary!'

July 13, 2008

Dear Munchers: Though I grew up in the restaurant business and love cooking and EATING, I am not a widely experienced cook. Only recently have I started to make Rice. Of course I add plenty of GARLIC and other flavorings, and after a number of recent tries, I am finally Satisfied with the Rice! God's multitude of blessings is more than Satisfying to us here. 1. I was finally in my home pulpit in Pecs, and God gave us a wonderful day with very good attendance including two visiting ladies. The Holy Spirit's deep work was evidenced at the invitation and by questions and comments afterwards. Tonight, Lajos Makura, the one who suffered a near fatal car accident but for whom you PRAYED, preached an excellent sermon. We had a very good offering and our folks are rejoicing and growing in the Lord. 2. Bela Horvath preached in Budapest this weekend and reported very good services. It was a spiritual refreshment and blessing for him and his family. 3. Gedeon reported 13 present in Nagykanizsa at their 4th service including one visiting young lady who has a Baptist background and seems to be saved. Please PRAY for Tony to be soon trust Christ as his Savior. Jozsi, a regular attender, must be in the hospital for ten days and needs PRAYER as well. 4. Dave Potter had great services in Romania and preached in Hungary today. This week the Potters will journey toward Germany. Next week, we will have our annual BWM Family Retreat. The Knies family will be in Budapest next Sunday and will drive straight through to Germany after the services. 5. For a long time I have had the burden to evangelize a "bedroom community" in close proximity to Pecs. Last Thursday, I took a group of teens and we began canvassing Kozarmisleny (KOH-zsar-mish-lane) with John/Romans and detailed invitations from our church. This middle class suburb is full of lovely homes occupied by young, spiritually empty Hungarian families that need the gospel. This community has about 10,000 residents. Please PRAY for fruit from this outreach. We canvassed about 20% of this town and will continue tomorrow. 6. Please PRAY for a group of four teens going to minister in an independent Baptist Camp in Romania for two weeks. Please also PRAY for the Gedeon Olah family as they move to Nagykanizsa on Tuesday. 7. Please visit Valerie's website at: www.valerieknies.com to see updated ministry pictures. Some of the simplest foods taste the best. When you soon sample some delicious rice, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry PRAY For Hungary!" Jim Knies

July 6, 2008

Dear Munchers:

Choices, choices...Do I take just 4 Hungarian jelly-filled doughnuts or 4 + 1? Praise the Lord that spiritually this week was 4 + 1!

1. Pecs, Hungary - The Lord blessed our combined efforts as we held VBS this week. God brought in 23 visitors this week and a number of parents. Though attendance was down, we saw some folks travel a good distance to bring there children for VBS. Please PRAY for the follow-up of several promising contacts. Bela Horvath preached all day and reported a "thin" crowd but a great spirit in the church.

2. Budapest, Hungary - We had a great weekend in the church in Budapest. Again, though many were gone on vacation, we had the opportunity to preach, encourage, and pass out gospel tracts and invitations.

3. Nagykanizsa, Hungary - Gedeon reported an excellent third Sunday service of the new church there with 15 in attendance. Please PRAY as the Olah family will be moving to Nagykanizsa in the next few weeks.

4. Beius, Romania - David Potter is preaching in several churches in Romania this week. I have not heard any report yet, but we are thankful for the fellowship we enjoy with these startegic independent Baptist churches.

5. + 1 Beloit, Wisconsin - I am very grateful to the Lord for my son James who will be preaching soon after you receive this Munchie. Please PRAY for James as he soon begins his senior year at Maranatha BBC preparing for the ministry.

This summer is presenting our church preachers and young people many rich opportunities and experiences in ministry. We are spread thin these months, but God is certainly accomplishing His purposes across the region and the world. When you reach for + 1 more this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

June 29, 2008

Dear Munchers: Our ministry palate is completely different these days. Preachers from Pecs preached in Three different churches today. Here are your Three Courses! 1. Pecs - The main church saw good attendance morning and evening, despite being in the "dog days of summer." Bela Horvath preached in the morning and David Potter in the evening service. There were 12 year old twin sisters who visited this evening. They are ready to attend our VBS which begins tomorrow through Thursday. Please PRAY for God to richly bless our VBS. We have been out every night this week inviting children to attend. 2. Nagykanizsa - Praise the Lord for 11 in attendance at the second Sunday service in Nagykanizsa. Gedeon was able to lead one soul to Christ after the service and they sang, "Ring the Bells of Heaven." The blessing came despite many not being able to attend. All the local folks that attended were men! Please PRAY for this new work to grow. 3. Budapest - Brother David Fraunhoffer and family have labored faithfully over the years at the Bible Baptist Church in Budapest. They left for a year of furlough this week. I began my summer commitment of leading this ministry. The Thursday evening service as well as the morning and evening service today were well attended. Many responded publicly to the preaching this morning, and I think we got off to a great start. I will oversee this work for the next ten weeks with the help of other preachers and young people from the church in Pecs. The next two Sundays will see us preachers ministering in FOUR different Baptist churches. Many will be very busy traveling and preaching. Please PRAY for the Lord to multiply fruit for His glory in the churches! When you delve into a multi-course meal this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!" Jim Knies

June 22, 2008 Update

Dear Munchers:

Our last night with the group of young people from my home church was to be spent eating Giant Crepes. But alas, the restaurant was closed so we had 18 for a dinner of hot dogs and salads. What another historic day we had!

1. Praise the Lord for the birth of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Nagykanizsa, Hungary! Imagine the blessing of hearing Gedeon preach to a room full of 31 of us! I presented a small wooden offering house which my home pastor made for our church. Several even utilized it the first Sunday! It was a crowning day of blessing from the Lord.

2. Gedeon is one of the few Munchers in our ministry. He writes,

" It was a great joy today to experience how wonderfully God answers prayers. Today we had our very first service of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Nagykanizsa. What a blessing it was to see 16 of us praying together before the service started and to hear that they were praying for their Pastor. Praise God for the 31 people we had in the first service including 10 people from Pecs. It was a privilege for us to have Pastor Jim Knies challenge our church and present the offering box for the church to use. We were thankful to have Dr. David Potter, my teacher for nine years, lead in opening prayer. We pray that our small building will be filled soon. We are already praying that God will provide a larger building. Praise God for your prayers. Psalm 56:4”

3. Bela Horvath preached all three services today. Four families returned from Nagykanizsa to be a part of the full house in Pecs tonight. Please PRAY as we go out onto the streets inviting children to our Children's Bible Week - June 30-July 3. We continue to emphasize corporate PRAYER and the Lord is giving us sweet times of group intercession.

4. Next Sunday, I will begin overseeing the Bible Baptist Church in Budapest for the next ten weeks. Several families, preachers, and young people from our church will take part in this summer outreach ministry. I will be away preaching many Sundays this summer. Please PRAY as Bela gets even more acclimated leading the church in Pecs.

5. Please PRAY for our son James who is having trouble getting a reliable summer job.

I left the hot dogs in the boiling water a little too long. So, instead of Giant Crepes, we had Giant hot dogs. When you bite into a Giant this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!

Jim Knies

June 15, 2008

Dear Munchers:

After our grand weekend last Sunday, the Feasting Continues...

1. Praise the Lord for 60 in attendance in our morning service. We were rejoicing to hear the testimonies of new converts, Erzsi Csepregi, an elderly lady, and teenager Vivien as they followed the Lord in believers’ baptism and became church members. Praise the Lord we had 12 fathers lined up at the front of the church today as they were honored.

2. Tonight, another milestone was reached in our church as we had a mortgage burning ceremony to mark the complete retirement of the debt on our church building. We praise the Lord for the sacrifice of our believers. Thank the Lord our believers recently voted to increase the monthly support of Bela Horvath our prospective national pastor. We also doubled our financial commitment to the Olahs as they plant the new church in Nagykanizsa. Our people are giving faithfully to Faith Promise Missions and our regular offerings are up as well. Praise the Lord this church is well on its way to becoming completely indigenous.

3. I am grateful for my home church, Mukwonago Baptist Church, and Pastor Rhon Roberts. A group of seven young people have been a tremendous blessing to us this week working very diligently and serving in our services. Significantly, Mukwonago Baptist Church will mark their 30th anniversary next Sunday. The Mukwonago church will become grandparents as our church births the new church in Nagykanizsa. Please PRAY for the Olah family as they begin Sunday services next Sunday.

4. Ben Hatchett, is one of several visiting Munchers. He writes,

“As the official guest Muncher of the visiting Mukwonago group, I am honored to relate the local happenings. Things are going well here in Pecs. We are privileged to be helping out with several work projects at the church as well as ministering in services through preaching and music. Actually living on the “mission field” for this short time provides an incredible opportunity for us to see in real life how a missionary ministry functions. We are having a wonderful time with the Knieses, Potters, and other church families, and we trust that the Lord will continue to bless our trip as He has so far. “

5. In two weeks, I will undertake the oversight of the Bible Baptist Church in Budapest for the summer. This will give some of our church families and teenagers the opportunity to preach and minister. With the new church in Nagykanizsa, the church in Pecs and in Budapest, we will have a full summer of ministry opportunities.

6. My co-worker, David Potter, has diligently posted more pictures of today's happenings on his website. You can access this at: http://www.missioncentral.net/miss/potter/index.htm. Click on Our Journal.

I cannot fully relate the blessing and privilege I feel ministering as your representatives in Hungary. Truly the Feasting Continues... When you are Feasting this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

June 8, 2008

Dear Munchers:

As I pen this Munchie we have a houseful of folks eating Leftovers for 50+. It would be very difficult to describe this magnificently historic day in our church. God is to be praised for His work in His church.

1. Our weekend began on Saturday when 10 ordained ministers from 6 churches met, along with the men of our church, to examine Gedeon at his ordination counsel. They met for three hours and then unanimously voted to recommend to our church that Gedeon be ordained to the gospel ministry.

2. It had not been since our 10th anniversary several years ago that we were in church all day. Many visitors from Romania and two cities in Hungary joined together today as we ordained Gedeon Olah to the gospel ministry. Our church then commissioned the family to be our missionaries to Nagykanizsa where they will hold their first Sunday service in two weeks. We saw 92 in attendance as we met for a 9:00 am Sunday School service, 10:00 am Morning Worship service, Fellowship Lunch, 1:30 pm Graduation ceremony, and a 3:00 pm Ordination and Commissioning service. Now everyone is here at our house!

3. Another highlight of the day was seven believers from the new work who journeyed to Pecs to be a part of the special day. Along with the Olahs, they sang their first “church choir” special. We rejoice that Gedeon and Bela Horvath graduated with diplomas marking their completion of our Bible Institute curriculum.

4. We worked hard to surprise Gedeon with a super secret special guest. We were humbled to have Dr. David Cummins fly over just for Gedeon's special weekend. Dr. Cummins was used by the Lord to match up the Olahs and Knieses many years ago. I brought Dr. Cummins to preach in Romania. He also preached at the new work in Nagykanizsa and he challenged our church today.

5. As a visiting Muncher, Dr. Cummins writes,

"WHAT A DAY! I don’t think I could endure many days like this one. To paraphrase an old song, ‘It just keeps (kept) getting better ‘n better!’ Sunday School was a blessing; the Morning Service brought out the ‘Amens.’ The 1:30 Graduation Service was thrilling as two Hungarian preachers were pronounced ready to enter into the fray for the Lord. Then the 3:00 Ordination/Commissioning Service produced the ‘Hallelujahs!’ This is the epitome of what real missions is all about. Salvation, discipleship, church-planting, God’s call upon young believers to serve; the local church training such young men in a Bible college, and then the local church seeing itself actually duplicated. Emotionally I am drained; physically I am exhausted, but spiritually I am crying out, ‘Lord, do it again, and again, and again.’ I thank God for this great work and would love to see such fruit over and again in Europe.”

6. Please PRAY for the funeral of Marta Nagy on Tuesday. We expect many unsaved friends and relatives in attendance. The gospel will be clearly preached and the family will be invited to the church for a fellowship lunch.

7. A group of seven young people from Mukwonago Baptist Church, my home church, arrive Tuesday for a two week time of ministry. Please PRAY for the physical and spiritual work we are planning.

8. Please PRAY for a baptismal service next Sunday. We hope to see some unsaved guests. We also are planning to have a mortgage burning service rejoicing in the Lord’s provision to own our church building free and clear.

9. My co-worker, David Potter, posted 15 pictures on his website. You can access this site at: http://www.missioncentral.net/miss/potter/index.htm In the left column, click on “our Journal.”

This was a day that Pastors and missionaries just dream about. It was the culmination of your diligent PRAYER over many years. Let us rejoice together! When you have Leftovers for 5 or 50+ this week, please remember . . . “When You’re Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!”

Jim Knies

June 1, 2008

Dear Munchers:

These are very busy and blessed days in our ministry. We are coming to a crescendo of activity and ministry this week. Just time for a Quick Meal!

1. Dr. Terry and Colene Price have been a great blessing teaching 22 students in the Bible Institute. Brother Terry has been wonderfully used of the Lord in the pulpit. Praise the Lord for a spiritually energetic crowd in the morning and evening services today. Please PRAY for Erika, who visited for the first time this morning, and is searching for the truth.

As a visiting Muncher, Mrs. Colene Price writes,

"I have so enjoyed teaching here. Our students are so energetic and creative even after being at work all day! On Saturday we met for three hours and enjoyed seeing them develop creative characters to enhance their storytelling skills! In other methods we have seen artistic and musical abilities that have been an inspiration to all of us! The people in this church have eagerly shared their testimonies, opened their homes, and fed us all too well! Jean Potter has been a dear accommodating us day and night. Dr. Potter and Amy have taken us to see the sights. Pecs goes way back to the fourth century! We thank God and feel so richly blessed to be here!"

2. Please PRAY for our historic weekend coming this Saturday and Sunday. By God's grace, we plan to examine and, the Lord willing, ordain Gedeon Olah to the gospel ministry.

Gedeon and Bela Horvath constitute the first graduating class of our Bible Institute and will graduate next Sunday afternoon. A special service will follow as our church plans to commission and send out the Olah family to plant a new church in Nagykanizsa. Many visitors are planning to join us to mark these special occasions with us. Please PRAY for a great outpouring of God's blessing during this week.

3. Please PRAY for:
    a. The first Sunday services at the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Nagykanizsa on June 22.
    b. A group of 7 young people from my home church, Mukwonago Baptist Church, coming to minister with us from June 10-23.
    c. Funeral services for Marta Nagy, mother of Szilard Nagy, on June 10. Marta is our first church member to be with the Lord. Please PRAY as we conduct the funeral and host the family in our church for a fellowship.
    d. Spiritual stamina and wisdom for many more ministry opportunities this summer.

I am sure life is similarly busy in your part of the harvest field and when you only have time for a Quick Meal this week, please don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

May 25, 2008 Update

Dear Munchers:

What a privilege to host the Gedeon Olah family with Dr. and Mrs. Terry Price for lunch today. Two kilos of flour, more than a pinch of salt and 12 eggs yielded Plenty of Noodles! There sure are Plenty of programs and blessings here in the church.

1. How could I forget last week, to acknowledge and thank about 150 people that sent heart-felt birthday wishes to help me cross the great divide into my fifth decade of life? Tallying the sage comments I received, they warned me of two challenges of being 50. 1) Beware of increasing aches and pains. 2) HHmmmm...I forgot the second one!?! Thank you for your evident love and encouragement.

2. What a wonderful Sunday we had today. God's house was full morning and evening. Dr. Terry Price (Coach) and his wife, Colene, arrived to team teach Children's Ministries in the Local Church. Brother Price did an excellent job preaching in the services today. We have a record number of 22 students who are participating in the two-week intensive course. (See their visiting Muncher report below.)

3. Please PRAY for a number of folks we are following up. In three weeks, on June 15, we will have a baptism for several candidates. God is blessing our emphasis upon corporate PRAYER. Our mid-week service has a brief challenge followed by all church joint PRAYER. We have had a refreshing turnout and encouragement in our weekly Saturday morning PRAYER times. Please labor on with us in PRAYER.

4. We are planning for a huge weekend - June 7-8. A number of visiting pastors will join us as we seek to ordain Gedeon Olah to the ministry and commission the Olah family as our missionaries to Nagykanizsa - pronounced "NAWDGE-kah-nee-zsaw". Give it a try and say it fast! I cannot tell you how blessed I was on Friday night to see seven local folks gathering to study the Bible there. These folks are anticipating their first Sunday services on June 22. God ANSWERED PRAYER as Gedeon signed two contracts last week. He sold his home in Pecs, and purchased a home in (say it fast) Nagykanizsa.

5. I speak for many fellow missionaries as we have seen a breathtaking decline in the value of the dollar over the past two years. Our gas prices here are a little bit cheaper than other countries in Western Europe. I am only paying $7.50 per gallon in Hungary. How thrilling it has been to see the Lord richly meet our needs and more. Please PRAY for this on-going challenge that missionaries around the world face.

6. As visiting Munchers, Terry and Colene Price report:

“We happily arrived in Pecs on Friday. We have greatly enjoyed our time already. We've really enjoyed the fellowship with God's people in Bible Baptist Church. We are teaching a Children's Ministry course. Saturday began with a prayer meeting at nine. Many attended and it was so wonderful to hear them pray in Hungarian to the same God to whom we pray in English. The fervency of their spirit and lives is so wonderful and challenges us to be vibrant for the Lord as well!

“The students get involved in the teaching sessions and they seem to be eager participants! Our time here will end with an ordination, first graduation of two men from the Bible Institute, and then a commissioning service for a national pastor.

“Today's church services were richly rewarding as we heard the people sing, give testimonies and read God's Word. The special music and group numbers and choir practice were all outstanding. The food here has been outstanding. The Potters have been taking good care of us with delicious homemade soups and breads unique to Europe. The Knies family fed us a wonderful Hungarian meal today. We feel richly rewarded already! Please pray for the work here and that we will have a good impact on the folk that attend our classes.”

This Munchie certainly dished up Plenty of Praises and PRAYER requests. The month of June promises to be one of the busiest months in the history of the church. Please remember with us . . . “When You’re Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!”

Jim Knies

May 18, 2008 Update

Dear Munchers:

My dear church family surprised me after the morning service to remember my birthday and showered me with loving gifts. What do you get a guy who has everything? Chips, Chocolate and a Garlic "Csokor" among many other Munchies. The "Csokor" is a Hungarian word, pronounced "CHOE-core" meaning bouquet - yes a bouquet of Garlic!

1. Praise the Lord that we arrived safely home after our family trip. We praise the Lord for new friends in the ministry and new experiences of God's wonderful grace.

2. Praise the Lord for 67 present in the morning service. God gave great liberty in preaching and several raised their hands indicating they were unsure of their salvation. How humbled I was to see the Lord working in hearts as they expressed their love for their pastor after the service.

3. This Saturday we welcome Brother Terry and Colene Price who will spend more than two weeks challenging our church and teaching in the Bible Institute. This intensive course will culminate in a grand weekend of ministry and blessing, June 7-8. We expect many guests to join us as we: 1) seek to ordain Gedeon Olah to the ministry, 2) conduct our first graduation of the Bible Institute, and 3) commission and send the Olah family out as our first missionaries.

4. Praise the Lord for God's blessings upon the new church plant in Nagykanizsa under Gedeon Olah's leadership. Recently, they have had as many as 11 local folks attend their Bible study. Please PRAY diligently as this week the Olahs hope to sign two contracts, one selling their home in Pecs, and another purchasing a new home in Nagykanizsa. Please PRAY as they begin Sunday services on June 22 in Nagykanizsa.

5. Please PRAY as several of our new converts have drifted away from the Lord. We maintain contact and have hope that God will bring some back to the church. Praise the Lord for growth in Vivien who has seen a great change in her life.

6. Please check Valerie's redesigned website, www.valerieknies.com which has many new pictures of our ministry.

This is shaping up to be one of the busiest and, we are PRAYING, most blessed summer of ministry we have ever had. Our church continues our emphasis upon corporate PRAYER with all church PRAYER meetings twice a week. Please join us in this vital ministry opportunity in Hungary and don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

May 11, 2008

Dear Munchers:

Life doesn´t get much better than to have Real Spanish Paella in Barcelona!

1. Praise the Lord for His rich grace, protection, and blessings on our travels this week. We had an excellent time of ministry as a family in a church in Barcelona. I was privileged to preach in both their morning and evening services where I sensed God´s clear moving.

2. We have heard nothing but good reports from the church in Pecs in our absence. They had over 50 in attendance and Bela preached three excellent messages on the work of the Holy Spirit 1) in salvation 2) at Pentecost and 3) in the church. One of our new converts Vivien has not missed a service in weeks since her salvation. Her mother attended last week. Vivien was very close to receiving her Catholic rite of confirmation, but her mother has agreed that she need not be confirmed. Please PRAY for Jozsi Hoffman, who returned again today, that his wife would visit the church with him.

3. Please PRAY for my Dad, John Knies, who has been in and out of the hospital this week with heart problems. God spared his life a few weeks ago.

We are 1800 kilometers from home and we will begin the long trek home Monday night. Your PRAYERS for further protection would be much appreciated. With the rising price of rice, your better get out those Paella recipes. It may not be as good as Real Spanish Paella in Barcelona but will certainly remind you . . . "When You´re Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

May 6, 2008

Dear Munchers:

The Lord is to be praised in giving our family a wonderful time of refreshment and ministry around Spain. I am writing this on a foreign keyboard in an Intenet cafe in Santiago de Compostena, Spain. Sadly, a huge Catholic cathedral draws thousands of "pilgrims." Spain is a tremendously needy and unevangelized country. I was able to preach twice on Sunday and look forward to preaching again this Sunday in Barcelona.

1. God blessed in many ways back in the church in Pecs. Both myself and Bela are gone from the church but Gedeon and David Potter did an excellent job conducting the services. Praise the Lord that Erzsi, an elderly lady attending for several months, received Christ as her Savior last Sunday.

2. The church remembered mothers on Sunday. Vivien, the teenage recent convert, brought her mother to church and she listened intently to the gospel. In the evening service, David Potter preached an excellent message on the past, present, and future of the church as we marked the 13th anniversary of the church with a big cake.

3. During the week, the church had a blessed church picnic enjoyed by all. We rejoice to see how well the church functions and fellowships in our absence. Please PRAY as the devil is working in some of our new converts already.

Though this Munchie will seem to come from my "dravanet.hu" address, if you want to write back a quick note, please send it to jimknies@yahoo.com. Please forgive all the typos as this is Just a Bite on the Run. Please PRAY on and don´t forget . . .¨"When You´re Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

May 2008 Prayer Letter

Dear Praying Friends:

We are praising the Lord for HIs marvelous answers to your PRAYERS in recent weeks. We have seen a spark of revival, and God is clearly working in the church. Souls have been saved and new converts are eager to begin discipleship lessons. You can get a weekly report of all the blessings by sending your e-mail address to knies@dravanet.hu to receive the Hungarian Munchies.

Bela Horvath, our prospective national pastor, has been doing an excellent job of preaching and administration. Please PRAY for his further development. OUr first year of Faith Promise missions giving has gone very well, and our overall offerings are up 20%, showing our people that they cannot out give God! We rejoice that we regularly minister to 70 folks on a Sunday with many unsaved hearing the Gospel. Praise the Lord for seven souls who have been saved since our last report. Thank you for PRAYING for Lizzy Kocziany who was saved right hafter I wrote my last letter. Please PRAY for Lizzy to grow in the Lord.

God blessed the massive outreach effort of our believers: 71 were present at our Easter concert, including 17 visitors. That day was also historic as three believers from teh new church plant in Nagykanizsa visited our services. This was a great encouragement for them to see what God WILL do in their city!

God greatly moved in our church during the spring evangelistic meetings with Pastor Wayne VanGelderen. Thousands of flyers were given out and 500 posters hung. We also purchased a large newspaper advertisement. For the week, we probably ministered to about 85-90 people with many new and returning visitors. I met Gabor Emberovics while out visiting for the meetings. Praise the Lord that Gabor was saved on Sunday morning.

About two months ago, I was involved in a traffic accident in the city. God turned this event to His glory! I have kept in contact with Laszlo Karoly and his friend Krisztina, and they visited the meetings. On Sunday night, Laszlo was saved. Tuesday night Krisztina was saved, and this new couple has been to every church service since and desire to begin discipleship courses. Wednesday night, Vivien Bodo, a friend of Brigitta Kovacs, was saved. Last Sunday, all four new converts returned to thte services. Please also PRAY for Jozsef Hoffman who visited several nights and is looking for a church home.

Our biggest spiritual breakthrough has been the challenge of Spirit-enabled corporate PRAYER meetings. The past two Saturdays, we had about 25 gather for these all-church PRAYER meetings, and God is teaching us many lessons about PRAYER and dependence upon Him! Please PRAY as we continue this new PRAYER emphasis.

The new church work in Nagykanizsa under the leadership of the Olah family continues to progress well. God blessed during a one-day evangelistic meeting with Pastor VanGelderen. Twenty local people attended along with about 15 from Pecs. Valerie was able to lead Margaret Otvos to the Lord afterward. Please PRAY much for the Olah family to sell their house; they plan to move to Nagykanizsa to start services soon.

We were thankful to take two separate trips to visit another independent Baptist church in Romania recently. For our next big activity, Brother and Mrs. Terry Price will come to teach a Bible institute course in late May. This will lead to our first graduation service. We are also planning on ordaining Gedeon Olah and then commissioning the family to go out as missionaries to Nagykanizsa, Hungary.

Please PRAY for the ongoing, but minor, health needs of our family. Please also PRAY for our son James as he words this summer before his senior year of Bible college. We deeply value your PRAYERS and remind you to remember. . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY for Hungary!"

April 26, 2008

Dear Munchers:

I am NOT a breakfast eater. I usually prefer to have an Early Lunch!

1. Our family will take a needed break for a couple of weeks visiting around the Iberian Peninsula and preaching in a couple of churches. Please PRAY as we will travel many miles.

2. God gave our congregation a great work of ministry and PRAYER this week. We are now meeting twice weekly in corporate, Spirit led PRAYER for our church and ourselves. God seems to be changing both!

3. Please PRAY for our services tomorrow as we continue to work with our new converts. The devil has not been idle, so we need your focused PRAYER with us. I will preach in the morning and Zoli Kiss, Jr. in the evening service.

4. I spent an entire day this week with Gedeon in Nagykanizsa where he is planting a new church. I am again convinced that God desires to build a great work in that city. Friday night was another blessed meeting in that city with one new visitor attending.

5. Thank the Lord for sparing the life of my father, John Knies, this week as he suffered multiple heart attacks. He received a pacemaker today and hopes to return home from the hospital soon.

The Munchies will be irregular for a few weeks but please do not let that allow you to forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

April 20, 2008

Dear Munchers:

We just didn't know what to do for lunch today with the Chicken breast from the freezer. Valerie suggested a Knies version of Chicken paprikas into which I launched! The Chicken Turned Out Wonderfully! Spiritually, this past week alsoTurned Out Wonderfully!

1. God Wonderfully answered our corporate prayer time with FOUR souls saved during the meetings in Pecs. Last week's Munchie mentioned about Gabor Emberovics and Laszlo Karoly who were saved last Sunday. Laszlo's friend Krisztina has been in every service since Sunday. Tuesday night the Lord opened her heart and Krisztina received Christ after the service. Wednesday night, a teenage girl, Vivien Bodo, who was brought by Brigitta Kovacs, was led to the Lord by Andi Gado after the service.

2. God wonderfully answered our PRAYERS as all FOUR new believers were in our services this morning and three of four tonight. All are interested in beginning follow-up Bible Studies immediately. Three other regular attendees, who have been delaying their obedience to be baptized, expressed interest today in following the Lord in baptism.

3. God wonderfully used Pastor VanGelderen to challenge our church regarding the power of corporate revival PRAYING. For the past two Saturday mornings, we have had glorious, spontaneous PRAYER among about 25 who gathered together. We plan to revamp our Wednesday night service to devote much more time to corporate revival PRAYING. This has really changed the thinking and expectations of our people.

4. God wonderfully led as about 25 gathered in a post service meeting to divide visitation and follow-up responsibilities for many of the new visitors and new converts. God gave us a sweet time of PRAYER at the end. This is a very pivotal time in our church. Please PRAY for the Holy Spirit to continue to work and that we would be joyfully obedient to His promptings among us.

5. God wonderfully honored the work and PRAYER of the Olah family and many others as 20 people from Nagykanizsa joined about 15 of us from Pecs for an evangelistic meeting on Thursday night in this new city. Valerie PRAYED with Margaret Otvos to receive Christ after the service. Please PRAY much for the Olah family as they face many decisions in the next few months.

These are exciting days of harvest in Hungary. We are convinced more than ever that PRAYER will give the victory. Will you press on with us at the Throne of Grace? Together let's confidently expect God to Wonderfully answer our corporate PRAYERS. Please remember this week . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

 

April 14, 2008 Update

Dear Munchers:

These are days of answered PRAYER and Harvesting Sweet Spiritual Fruit. God has already greatly blessed His Word and used Pastor Wayne VanGelderen (see his excerpt below) to encourage our church. Munch the Sweet Fruit with us....

1. Praise the Lord for two souls saved today in our services. Pastor VanGelderen, who is seeing revival in his church, challenged our church about fervent trusting PRAYER. We had a wonderful all-church PRAYER meeting yesterday and God answered our PRAYERS today with eight new visitors - four in the morning and four in the evening.

2. A number of weeks ago as we were out evangelizing on the street, I met Gabor Emberovics who came to one service already. This morning Gabor returned and the Lord convicted him during the message. He stepped out at the invitation and Bela led him to Christ after the service. Please PRAY for Gabor's spiritual growth.

3. About two months ago I was involved in a traffic accident in the city. A third car hit a car next to me and then ran into me. God turned this event to His glory! I have kept in contact with Laszlo Karoly (the other driver not at fault) and his friend Krisztina. Tonight, they came to the services as my guests. Again the Holy Spirit was moving and after the service Gedeon was able to lead Laszlo to Christ. We joyfully sang, "Ring the Bells of Heaven!" Amazingly, Laszlo voluntarily served for six years as a Roman Catholic priest's assistant. He had much religious knowledge and a desire to know God. Gedeon showed him John 3 and how religion was not enough for Nicodemus. Praise the Lord Laszlo was BORN AGAIN tonight. His friend, Krisztina, I believe, is close to salvation and both plan to return tomorrow night.

4. Please PRAY for a married couple Sandor and Sara, friends of the Makura family, who came tonight. Sara was very interested in the preaching and the panel discussion which followed. Sara promised to return tomorrow night. God brought another new friend of mine, Tamas Kardos, to the morning service. He works at the local wholesale club and I have talked with him for many months. God brought him this morning and he listened with interest to the preaching. Jozsef Hoffman lives near the church and just came seeing one of our meeting posters. He is looking for a church for his family. Please PRAY for the rest of our meetings this week - Monday through Wednesday in Pecs. Thursday night we will have a service in Nagykanizsa. Please pray for God to work in the heart of Agi Bozo as we expect her to come tomorrow night.

5. What a privilege to have Pastor VanGelderen, a visiting Muncher, with us. He writes, "It is a joy to be able to finally see the work here at Pecs. We have supported the Knies family from the beginning, but I have never had the opportunity to be on the field with them. I certainly have not been disappointed in what I have seen. The strength of the church is clearly evident and I believe the Lord is ready to expand the work in the days ahead. Also, I am encouraged by the number of men that are being trained for the ministry. We need to pray the Lord will send them all out to effective ministry here in this needy country.”

6. A note from Valerie, “What a delight is was to hear from so many of you this week as you sent Birthday greetings. Thank you for your kindness and encouragement. Jim and the girls made sure my birthday was special, and your notes and e-cards were an extra blessing.”

Your fervent PRAYERS this week are needed for the continuing Harvest of Sweet Spiritual Fruit. Please remember this week. . . “When You’re Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!”

Jim Knies

April 6, 2008 Update

Dear Munchers:

Experienced Munchers know my LOVE for Garlic. We fried over a hundred cloves of Garlic to munch on with the rest of the grilled foods we had at lunch today. While seasoning those little white bundles of flavor, I doused the batch with traditional salt and pepper, before catching myself putting Garlic on Garlic! Somehow my mistake was not detected. The Lord seems to be piling blessings upon blessings on the ministry here.

1. Praise the Lord for a great day in His house. The Lord gave us one new visitor tonight and we are working hard with a number of recent visitors.

2. Our people have been out all week putting up posters and personally inviting people to our Spring Bible Conference starting next week with Pastor Wayne VanGelderen. Please PRAY as we will blitz areas throughout the city with more invitations almost every day this week. We paid to have a large advertisement put in the local advertiser paper. All this effort would be in vain without your diligent, fervent PRAYERS this week for God's blessings.

3. How we praise the Lord for the privilege of ministering in three different places at the same time last Friday. 1) Dave Potter, Bela Horvath, Zoltan Kiss, Jr., and I went to a fellowship of Independent Baptist pastors in Romania where we were able to preach, teach, and testify. 2) Gedeon reported another great night of ministry in the new work at Nagykanizsa. Two of our men, Lajos Makura and Zoltan Kiss, Sr. journeyed to be a part. 3) Thirteen ladies gathered for their monthly Ladies Fellowship which included one new visitor.

4. Valerie does final proofing before I send out the Munchie and I am adding this after she has proofed the Munchie. I could not ask for a better helpmeet and loving wife than Valerie. She labors on through many nagging but not serious health issues. Valerie has a birthday this week (4/10). Maybe the Lord would allow you to send her a word of encouragement and birthday greeting. Thank!

These are great days of opportunity and harvest in Hungary. Please PRAY for the work especially this week that the Lord will pile blessings upon blessings and please don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

March 30, 2008 Update

Valerie here, Jim is still in a meeting at church, so he asked me to get the Munchie out. This week, our favorite grocery store had lettuce and several other vegetables on sale, so Jim brought home four heads of lettuce! Needless to say, we had plenty of salad this week with all the fixin’s. We are fixin’ for a great April of Evangelism here in Pecs!

1. Our church family was faithful today to the services. A man whom Jim met during street evangelism prior to the Easter Concert visited today. We picked up Gabor Emberovics, a man in his late twenties, for Sunday School early this morning. Lizzy came back tonight as is growing in her new faith.

2. Illona Hack (Ica neni), aged 64, has come to a few worship services over the past month. Bela Horvath took her through the gospel after a service recently. Jim and Gedeon went to visit her on this past Thursday night and she prayed and received Christ as her Savior! Today, Ica came to all the services and joined us for lunch. She gave a clear testimony before the church tonight of her salvation. Please PRAY as she begins to grow in the Lord.

3. This week we will be in the city hanging posters for our coming Evangelistic Outreach meetings. Bela has printed off 500 posters. Starting next Saturday and continuing through the next week, we will be out with handbills, individually inviting people to come to the meetings. There will be several prayer meetings and special music preparation as well. Please PRAY for our church families, both adults and students, as we juggle daily responsibilities and this important ministry to our city. Please PRAY as we seek to see more folks hear and respond to the gospel message.

4. There are many unsaved people with whom our church family works on a continuous basis to bring them to Christ. Several have visited concerts and church services over the past few months. We continue to pray for and reach out to these people and are trusting the Lord to bring several to the Evangelistic meetings and to Himself. Please continue to PRAY for many of these you have met in recent Munchies. Your prayers are precious to us and to the ministry and the work of God in this place. Thank you for praying.

As you are fixin’ with us for some incredible answers to prayer in the next month,

don’t forget….”When You’re Hungry, PRAY for Hungary!”

Valerie Knies

March 23, 2008

Dear Munchers:

I went to the store Saturday looking for some sort of Ham for Easter dinner. None was to be found, but I did purchase what seems to be a smoked pork shoulder. It tasted better than Ham. What a blessing to find a great Easter "Ham!" Our blessings today were also much better then we expected.

1. God wonderfully blessed our Easter services today with a full auditorium both morning and evening, ministering to about 70 people today. We have been thankful for higher attendances and a regular stream of new and returning visitors. Three different preachers preached on various aspects of the Resurrection today. The Lord stirred in many hearts.

2. I could detail many stories of how God is drawing individuals to Himself. Tonight, there were seven lost souls present. Please PRAY for the obvious spiritual work going on in the hearts many unsaved folks. We need PRAYER for those entangled in spiritual battles keeping them from Christ.

3. The Lord was very gracious to allow a group of five to go to Romania this week to visit a thriving independent Baptist church in Beuis. Our teens, along with David Potter and Gedeon Olah, had a great experience at this church last year, but I had never visited. I was invited to preached in the church and teach a number of classes in their Bible College. The young people presented several special music numbers. These missions trips help our teens develop a burden for others.

4. We will be gearing up for our next large evangelistic outreach - our Spring Bible Conference - April 13-16. Pastor Wayne Van Gelderen will be preaching and we will be heavily advertising, inviting people and PRAYING for these meetings. On April 17 there will be a one day meeting in Nagykanizsa with Pastor Van Gelderen.

Please continue to PRAY with us for a great spring harvest of souls. When you sit down with your Easter "Ham," please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

March 17, 2008

Dear Munchers:

Needing to be back at church at 3:15 to prepare for our Easter concert, we made a simple Spaghetti lunch. But God gave us More than Just Spaghetti!

1. What a tremendous day of blessing in answer to your PRAYERS! Our church had the best Sunday morning attendance yet this year. Thank you for PRAYING for Lizzy. Anna's friend spent Saturday night at our home and came to church with us. Lizzy responded at the invitation regarding her lost condition. After our Spaghetti lunch, I had the privilege of carefully sharing the gospel and Lizzy PRAYED to receive Christ. I have rarely seen a new convert so joyous and relieved of her sin burden. Lizzy left to find her friend Tamas and brought him to our evening service tonight!

2. This morning was a grand historic day as three people from the new work in Nagykanizsa journeyed two hours to be in our morning services. Gedeon was like a proud new father introducing Jozsi, Gabriella and her mother, Irene, the spiritual fruit of his labors. Unfortunately, they could not remain for the concert this evening but they were moved by the service and got a real taste of what God desires to build in Nagykanizsa.

3. The hard work of many paid off as we had our Easter concert tonight. Our folks went out inviting people and distributed over 1000 invitations. Praise the Lord that 71 were present including 17 visitors. The music glorified the Lord and a number of folks listened attentively to the gospel message. Several were individually presented with the gospel again after the service by members of our church family. Please PRAY as we follow up on these many new contacts.

4. I finished teaching my course on Biblical Counseling in the Local Church. All the students did an excellent job. I will continue teaching on that subject in upcoming church services. I will take a small group of church young people to visit a good independent Baptist church in Romania. The youth had an excellent time there last summer, but I have not yet seen this work. Please PRAY for our travels and as I will teach in their Bible College twice and preach in the church.

5. After some health concerns, certain tests gave me a clean bill of health. Please PRAY on for Valerie for her continued health and strength (she is making some progress and is grateful for those who pray for her), and our girls as they study in home school. Please remember our son James studying in his third year in Bible College.

What a humbling privilege to be your fellow-laborers here in Hungary. If you have Spaghetti soon or something More than Just Spaghetti this week, please don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

March 10, 2008

Dear Munchers:

After all the "Power" food recipes we make, it is time to shed a few pounds. What an unusual, yet delightful Sunday lunch we enjoyed with just Cabbage Soup. The blessings of God have been rich throughout this week.

1. God gave us a full house this morning in church. Bela Horvath did a great job preaching. Tonight, we were delighted to have a first time visitor as I continued my series on the Biblical Teaching on Finances.

2. This week was blessed as several groups of people went out on the street evangelizing and inviting folks to church and our Easter concert. I led the morning group and we met a number of people who listened receptively to a gospel presentation. Please PRAY as we work with many contacts.

3. We are working, PRAYING, and preparing for our Easter concert next Sunday and Easter services the following Sunday. Please PRAY for many new people to be reached and souls to be saved. I keep contact with Gazmand, my Kosovo friend, and ask you to continue to PRAY for his salvation.

4. Tomorrow, I will teach the final session in my Biblical Counseling in the Local Church course. The church will then completely "switch gears" to our spring evangelistic outreaches. We will be out in the city inviting again this week. There will also be several concert rehearsals. I am very thankful and humbled by the devotion and spiritual vitality of our church members.

5. The Olahs continue to do an excellent job in the new work in Nagykanizsa. Next Sunday will be a great opportunity as regular attendees of the new work will journey to Pecs to experience our services. We expect some unsaved spouses may come. Hence, the next two Sundays will be abundant harvest opportunities. Please PRAY!

What a wonderful privilege it is to serve the Lord in Hungary as your representatives. Please don't underestimate the necessity and power of your continued PRAYERS. Let's press on and PRAY on trusting the Lord for a harvest that glorifies Him! Please don't forget this week . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

March 3, 2008

Dear Munchers:

I made my oodles of homemade noodles yesterday for lunch today. I wanted the egg noodles to be really "eggie" so I was emboldened to use 10 Eggs! They turned out to be a great foundation for the oniony, garlicy chicken stew slathered over the top. Like 10 Eggs, God has brought 10 new people with whom to minister.

1. God has blessed your PRAYERS and the work of our daughter, Anna. Another friend of hers, Alexandra, came to a youth activity at our home yesterday. Please keep PRAYING for Alexandra and Lizzy from last week that we will see spiritual fruit.

2. What a blessing to see the "newer" Erzsi neni return for both services today. She loves the church - her only complaint is that my preaching is a little bit too loud!?! ;O) Please PRAY for spiritual fruit from Erzsi neni and Erzsi Csordas (the other Erzsi).

3. Praise the Lord for a good crowd both morning and evening in church. My new friend from Kosovo, Gazmand, returned to church this morning and brought a relative, Kostream, with him. They joined us at our lunch table afterward. Gazmand is a worldly businessman who claims to be a Muslim. Please keep PRAYING as he keeps hearing the preaching and he still wants to be my friend. He asked me how long I will remain in Hungary. I said, probably the rest of my life -- OR -- maybe go to Kosovo! He was excited by that thought and wants to introduce me to his country. Let's see what the Lord will bring about from this.

4. Janos came to the church tonight but never entered the service. Afterwards, he returned explaining his dire financial needs hoping for some help. Bela Horvath challenged him with his main need of salvation in Christ. Please PRAY for Janos to return on Wednesday night with an open heart to receive Christ.

5. We will be PRAYING over a new list of people and going out to distribute hundreds of invitations for our Easter concert in two weeks and Easter services in three weeks. Please PRAY for the many outreach efforts underway. We are PRAYING about a group of 5-8 people coming from the new church in Nagykanizsa to visit the main church in Pecs on March 16.

That probably adds up to more than a dozen Eggs. As plants and blossoms are beginning to emerge, it seems like the Lord is working in many hearts. Please remain with us in diligent PRAYER for the Lord to crack some of the hard shells of these Eggs. If you crack an Egg this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

February 25, 2008

Dear Munchers:

YIKES - You think Power Potatoes are delectable. You should try Power Cauliflower! With three elderly ladies coming for lunch today, it was a bold experiment. It was good and it was Powerful. What a Powerful Sunday the Lord gave us today.

1. Almost everyone was present for services this morning with one new visitor and one returning visitor. Tonight, I had a new friend, Gazmand, (read more below) come to the service with two other returning visitors. How thrilling it is to see Bela Horvath teach an outstanding lesson on what the Bible teaches about dancing. Then God used him powerfully in the main service as he preached about the Biblical Characteristics of Love. A number of decisions were made. Tonight, we had four clearly unsaved people present and the Holy Spirit led me to preach primarily about the gospel. The entire Sunday was a day of spiritual power and conviction.

2. Erzsi neni (Hungarian term for "auntie"), is an elderly friend of church member Anna neni. She came to church this morning for the first time. She followed two other ladies to our home for lunch and also returned for the evening service. She said the gospel message touched her heart. Another Erzsi neni, returned to the service tonight. Valerie and Rita Makura have visited her repeatedly. Tonight, she said, "all of the visits from the ladies were helpful, but the preaching deeply moved me tonight." Praise the Lord that Miklos Reti, the unsaved husband of a church member, returned after a long absence. Please PRAY for the soon salvation of these three visitors.

3. I went shopping at a wholesale club after visitation on Tuesday evening. As I pondered the cheese prices, a man (Gazmand) next to me was doing the same. I offered my unsolicited opinion on which cheese to buy and why. Striking up a conversation in Hungarian, I realized he wasn't a native Hungarian. I asked him where he was from. He said, "Kosovo!" I immediately congratulated him on his newly independent state. Learning I was an American, I became his best friend in under three minutes. He and his family own three bakeries in the area. I had a delightful time visiting with Gazmand on Thursday night and he came to church tonight. Gazmand is first and foremost a businessman, distrusts people in general and is a Muslim. (Tonight, he raised his hand believing he was on his way to heaven.) I believe God led me to start a long term friendship with this man who wants to be my friend and take me to Kosovo one day soon (maybe not through Serbia these days!) What a vast spiritual potential this may hold for the future of the gospel in his life and maybe reaching into Kosovo one day. Please PRAY for much wisdom as I interact with Gazmand.

4. Please continue to PRAY for Lizzy, Anna's friend, who visited last week. She could not attend services today, but spent the afternoon at our home yesterday. The Lord is working in her heart toward salvation.

5. My Bible Institute class on Biblical Counseling in the Local Church is going well. In the meantime, we are gearing up for an Easter evangelistic outreaches Sundays, March 16 and 23. Please PRAY with our congregation for the many contacts with whom we are working inside and outside the church.

6. Gedeon Olah and family were gone all day today ministering in another independent Baptist church in Szolnok, Hungary. What a privilege to see the Lord use him in the new work in Nagykanizsa. Friday night, five local folks gathered as Gedeon taught simple yet profound Bible truth. You could see the passion in his eyes as he proclaimed the wonderful truth of eternal security to these new converts. Please PRAY for this new church planting outreach under the Olah's direction. He will invite some of his people to join us in Pecs for the first time at our Easter concert on March 16.

These are exciting days of ministry and harvest in Hungary. What a profound privilege to be a part as your representatives in Hungary! Please remember this week . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

February 17, 2008

Dear Munchers:

What an honor to be asked by my dad to write the Munchie tonight. Today, around the lunch table, our family had the privilege of having three Christians, and a brand new visitor, sitting at our table enjoying the Sweet Fellowship of Christians.

1. Today we had wonderful Fellowship around the Word of God. It was a great blessing to enjoy rich Biblical teaching about why Christ came to this earth, a reason even we as Christians should be reminded of continually. We were thankful to have a brand new visitor tonight, Elizabeth Kocziany, who was also the brand new visitor at our lunch table. She is my former friend from kindergarten. This young teenage lady is filled with spiritual questions. Please PRAY as she continues to seek the Truth.

2. The course on Genesis was successfully finished on Saturday. A few minutes later, the next course, Biblical Counseling in the Local Church, began. The students are as eager as ever to continue on in their Biblical studies. It looks as if one more student will be joining this Monday. Please PRAY for this course to be a useful tool to all those who listen. The church members are continuing in preparation for the up-coming special events in our church calendar. Please PRAY for everything to go according to God’s will.

3. This week we experienced God’s hand of protection on my dad. On Monday of this week, my dad stopped to let a driver in front of him. When this happened, a driver was coming very fast in the other direction, and crashed into the other car, then ran into my dad’s side of the car. The side airbags immediately inflated. Praise the Lord, my dad suffered no injuries and no one was hurt.

4. It was a true blessing to have Lajos Makura visit the church in Nagykanizsa this past Friday. He was able to share his testimony about his recent car accident and recovery. What a testimony to have! Please continue to PRAY for him as he still has one small surgery left.

This week, while you are enjoying the Sweet Fellowship of Christians, please don’t forget…”When You’re Hungry, PRAY for Hungary!”

Anna Knies

February 11, 2008

Dear Munchers:

We sang to three Birthday babies today in church and at lunch there was Birthday Cake Galore! Such are the blessings upon the work here.

1. What a wonderful church-building Sunday the Lord gave to us. For the second time, when both Bela Horvath and myself were present on a Sunday, Bela preached on Sunday morning. God wonderfully used Bela and the preaching as a number of people made public decisions. Please continue to PRAY as Bela eventually assumes the pastorate here. We were thankful to have a Ghanaese first year medical student, Ruth Anderson, visit for the first time.

2. The full schedule and impact of our 2008 church program is coming to light. I will begin teaching a course on Advanced Counseling in our Bible Institute immediately after David Potter finishes giving the final exam for his course on Genesis. An Easter concert is being prepared for March and Spring Revival Meetings in April. Please PRAY for the many outreach opportunities the Lord gives to us.

3. We had another good night in the new work in Nagykanizsa. Gedeon and Yoli are working hard building a small core of believers.

4. Valerie thanks everyone for PRAYING for her health as she feels better this week. Please PRAY on for strength and wisdom for our family. Anna and Mary are working diligently in home school. Today is Mary’s 14^th birthday. Please remember James studying in his third year in Bible College.

When you remember the Blessings Galore this week, please don't forget . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

February 3, 2008

Dear Munchers:

I am delighted to be back home and back in my own kitchen. Yesterday, I made 4.4 pounds of flour and nine eggs into Oodles and Oodles of Noodles! What a joy to have church folks around our lunch table again and God's people filling our church auditorium all day.

1. There is no place like Home! How thankful I was to be back with our dear believers in Pecs. We ministered to 62 folks today. Our people were receptive to the preaching of the Word. What a humbling blessing to see Makura Lajos, the man involved in the terrible car crash, stride up to the pulpit to read our Scripture portion. Tonight, we remembered the Lord's Supper and had an excellent (read... concise and unified) annual business meeting. Bela Horvath and the entire church grew in my short absence last month.

2. What a joy to see the work in Nagykanizsa progress as well. God is building a core of believers hungry and learn the Scriptures and be a part of the future church. Gedeon is leading and teaching the group through our Discipleship Course materials. Please PRAY for the Olahs as they face the challenge of selling their home in the middle of this year and moving to Nagykanizsa to begin a full schedule of services.

3. I am thankful for the protection of God, and the great privilege of teaching a course on Missions and spending precious time with my Dad and my son, James in the United States. We are looking forward to many exciting discipleship and outreach activities planned this year in Hungary.

4. Please PRAY for Valerie's health as she struggles with her normal nagging concerns. Please PRAY for our girls, Anna and Mary, as they learn and study in home school. Please PRAY for James as he is as busy as ever studying, working, and preaching every weekend.

2008 presents Oodles and Oodles of opportunities to serve our Savior in Hungary. Please stand on with us in PRAYER and don't forget this week . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

January 27,2008

Dear Munchers,

We have been eating down the food supplies my husband left us when he went to the States earlier this month. After three weeks, our supplies are depleting, but I found enough ingredients last night to make a pot of Homemade Tomato Soup. Yes, it was mmm, mmm, good!

1. Today was a good day in church. We had a solid attendance for all the services. Some of our flu patients were back, praise the Lord. We had a business man from

Boise, Idaho came for visit this weekend. He was a blessing to the ministry. Bela and Dr. Potter both preached practical messages today.

2. Gedeon reported a first time visitor in Nagykanizsa on Friday night. Balazs stayed

for almost two hours after the service asking questions and hearing the gospel. Please PRAY for Balazs to soon be saved.

3. A report on Maxine Quintana. I spoke with my mother on Friday night. She is grateful to report that her cancer is under control. She is doing much better, feeling

well and able to do several daily activities. She continues to receive intravenous medication once a week and is under careful watch by her physicians. Praise the Lord she is able to attend church every Sunday now. THANK YOU to all who have been PRAYING for her.

4. Everyone here is anxious for the return of Pastor Jim. He preached today and is planning to fly back from Chicago on Tuesday, arriving in Hungary on Wednesday morning. He is spending the day with his father and sister and James. Please PRAY for Jim to have a safe trip home.

This week, if you eat some soup….or not, don't forget...“When You’re Hungry, PRAY for Hungary!”

January 21, 2008

Dear Munchers:

Valerie here again. There is a bad flu going around Hungary, particularly in our Baranya County and specifically in Pecs. Hence, I picked it up somewhere and have spent the last several days in bed with a fever and a nasty respiratory infection. Needless to say, I have existed on mostly Yogurt and Plenty of Liquids.

1. Thankfully, the Lord always continues to work, as He has this week. Jim has completed his teaching in Wisconsin and is now spending a few days with his father.

Assistant Pastor Mark Gilmore writes:

“As a weekly Munchie reader, it’s a privilege to add just a bite for you all to chew on. What a blessing it has been to have 25 choice young people sit under the wisdom, experience, and zeal (and endless humor!) of Bro. Knies in a college course focused on biblical missions. Please PRAY for God to work in a special way in this freshmen class at Baptist College of Ministry. No doubt, God desires to call a number of them into foreign missionary service. With Bro. Knies' guidance (his doctoral dissertation is a wonderful comprehensive guide filled with biblical challenge and practical wisdom) these students have a great foundation to confront many of the challenges a missionary faces. These eleven days flew by, and we’ll miss Bro. Knies’ cheerful and encouraging presence. He joined our revival cause, and his chapel preaching was a powerful call to evangelize the cities of the world. Praise God, and thank you, Jim, for catching the vision for this opportunity and coming straight from the field to train young lives for Great Commission service. May God continue to use what He is doing there in Hungary as an inspiration to many, demonstrating that churches can be planted and whole nations can be reached through the power of the gospel in our day.”

2. We were delighted as a church to welcome back David, Jean and Ami Potter. Jean made some good progress with her health situation in the States, but still has some concerns. Dr. Potter reports:

“What a thrill on Saturday to welcome 15 eager students to this session of our Bible Institute! The subject is the book of Genesis. To see Lajos and Rita Makura in class was a very special thrill. This was the first time I had seen Lajos since his auto accident. He walks with a cane, but his step is still spirited and his mind is still sharp. I believe God has great things in store for this choice couple. PRAY for Lajos’ full recovery from his injuries and that God will continue to lead and prepare him for the ministry.”

3. The core of new believers was in attendance in Nagykanizsa on Friday. Gedeon is rejoicing in many significant signs of growth in these dear ones. Ida (one day out of the hospital), Ida, and Zoltan were all back for the meeting.

4. Rita Makura underwent emergency outpatient surgery on Monday. She is still recovering. There are some other church families with flu. Andi Gado had a good meeting with Bozo Agi, a lady Rita and I have been working with since September. Agi needs to understand and accept the simplicity of the gospel. Thank you for PRAYING for these needs and the salvation of Agi.

May I say here how much I appreciate my two helpful and loving daughters, Mary and Anna. They have been a blessing to their mother this week. We trust all of you are in good health and there is no need for Yogurt and Plenty of Liquids at your house. When you are eating a beef steak this week remember…..

“When You’re Hungry, PRAY for Hungary!”

January 13, 2008

Dear Munchers,

There is nothing like Being Invited To Your Own House For Lunch. Bela and Emilia Horvath asked me if they could bring lunch to our house today and eat with us. They even brought another guest, Szilard Nagy. We enjoyed wonderful fellowship and they would not let me do anything to prepare, serve or clean-up for the meal. They are taking care of me and the girls in the absence of my husband. I was truly blessed by their kindness. We not only had a good time at our house today, but in the Lord's House as well.

1. This was PRAYER-week and a good group of church people prayed for over an hour each evening in a different home, and at church on Wednesday. We averaged 17 each night and each individual prayed. Saturday the men and youth had their regular prayer time in the morning.

2. We saw an answer, as Lajos Makura was not even scheduled for therapy today and was able to go to church from the clinic. Most others there had therapy. David Boli and his mother were back today. Istvan, the guard, was back as well. Please PRAY for the spiritual growth of all three of these young Christians. We had a good crowd both morning and evening.

3. Zoli Kiss (20) preached tonight and David Olah (16) preached on Wednesday night. Both did an excellent job. We are excited about the preachers coming up through the Bible Institute and the church ministries. Bela Horvath always preaches an excellent message.

Please PRAY for Zoli's mom, Anna Kiss. She was saved over a year ago, but has some special spiritual needs at the moment.

4. Gedeon and Jolanda Olah reported a great night in Nagykanizsa on Friday night. Two regular attenders could not come, but the three other new converts came for the service. Ida was saved in November, and is presently in the hospital. Her daughter, who attended the Christmas Concert last month and is the wife of the mayor of a nearby town, came with her son. Gedeon said she listened intently, sometimes a bit teary eyed, but still needs to be saved. She is named after her mother, Ida, and her 11 year old son is Zoltan. Please PRAY they will return and be saved.

5. Jim reports that he is greatly enjoying his opportunities in Wisconsin. He has 25 students in his Introduction to Missions class at the Baptist College of Ministries in Menomonee Falls. The students are responsive and working hard at their projects and quizzes. He was able to spend a short time with James and his brother and father this week. Please PRAY for Jim to be used of the Lord in this ministry.

Bela had me sign my own guestbook after the meal. This week if you are invited, or inviting someone to Your Own House For Lunch remember.....When Your're Hungry, PRAY for Hungary!

Valerie Knies

Munchies

January 6, 2008

Dear Munchers:

There is no doubt that The BEST Chinese Food in Pecs is to be found in the Knies kitchen. But Valerie is the master cook here and we enjoyed a parting meal for James yesterday and leftovers for Sunday lunch. God continues to give us the BEST blessings in our ministry.

1. What a delightful day of blessing and ministry in our services today. Bela Horvath led the church into the New Year as he challenged our church with the theme, "With All Your Heart in 2008." The Lord's people responded to the invitation. Tonight, we remembered the Lord's Supper and I preached on Function and Purpose of Leadership in the Local Church. Please PRAY on for the church as we continue on in the transition to national leadership.

2. Lajos Makura Update - Praise the Lord for the excellent report that Lajos received from his medical follow-up visit. They said there was nothing wrong with his head. (Of course, we remind him that that is only the medical opinion!) Lajos overflows with praise and thankfulness for the Lord's miraculous healing and the PRAYER of thousands on his behalf. He regularly testifies that God has a special purpose for His life and Lajos desires to serve only Christ. Lajos will be in physical rehab and have surgery over the next three weeks. Please PRAY for the Lord to continue to meet the needs of the Makura family.

3. This week we had an exciting youth activity on New Year's Eve in our home. Wednesday night, Bela Gado, Jr., 17 years old, preached an outstanding six-part, expository message from Revelation 15:3 on Glorifying God. It is thrilling to see a number of young people and young couples developing for potential missionary service around Hungary.

4. IMPORTANT PRAYER request for our co-workers, David and Jean Potter. Jean's father passed away on Friday and the funeral will be tomorrow (Monday) in Jackson, MI. David has been asked to preach the funeral message and many unsaved relatives should in attendance. Please PRAY for much liberty in the Holy Spirit as David preaches. Jean has made good progress in her health situation and the Potter family hopes to fly back to Hungary next week.

5. Tomorrow, I will travel to the USA for a quick three-week trip to teach a module on Missions at Baptist College of Ministry in Wisconsin. I will be speaking in a few churches and spending time with my dear 82 year-old Dad. Please PRAY for journey mercies and for the Lord to multiply the ministry of the Word.

I am certain that your kitchen probably produces some of The Best food in your city. When you feast on the goodness of the Lord this week, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

December 30, 2007

Dear Munchers:

The Last Meal of 2007 gave us many reasons to be excited as 2008 presents Important opportunities.

1. Our last day of ministry in 2007 was blessed with a full church both morning and evening. Visitors were present in both services and one visiting teenage boy received the assurance of his salvation. On New Year’s Eve, we will be one of three families hosting an Open House. The youth will be with us.

2. All year long our church general fund has been in the red. Our people have PRAYED and given sacrificially and we rejoiced together when I announced that we finished the year 42,000 HUF (about $240 USD) in the black. I tallied our first Faith Promise commitments and our people promised the Lord much more than I expected. Sixteen giving units promised to give 86,500 HUF (about $490 USD) per month by faith to missions. I am looking forward to see the Lord will provide these funds through our people and see their faith grow in the Lord.

3. I have asked Bela Horvath to lead the church into 2008. God has led him to choose the theme, "With All Your Heart in 2008" as the theme for the church. He preached an excellent message this morning and I have asked him to preach much more in January. It is thrilling to see how the Lord has prepared Bela and his wife Emilia. We will be progressively working toward eventually installing him as the pastor of the church. My desire is to further disciple and train workers in the existing church, labor in the new church plant, and minister in other places as the Lord allows. I have been invited to teach a block course in Missions at Baptist College of Ministry in Wisconsin next month. I am looking forward to teaching eager students about missions and spending some time with my elderly Dad.

4. God is to be praised for how He steadily grows the new church work in Nagykanizsa. Gedeon reports an excellent time of fellowship and corporate prayer this week including new visitors. The new work continues to be one of the highlights of my week.

These are Exciting and Important days of ministry and outreach opportunity in Hungary. Please let up in your PRAYER efforts for the work here and this week please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

December 23, 2007

Dear Munchers:

Imagine trying to put seasoning in the peeled and sliced potatoes only to find a thin layer of Ice on the Potatoes from spending the night outside. Praise the Lord there was no ice on the services today! What a wonderful, encouraging day in God's house.

1. I met Istvan who works as a guard at a local grocery store some time ago and invited him to church. He brought his daughter recently, but came alone today to the morning service. Praise the Lord that Istvan responded to the gospel preaching. Bela Horvath led him to Christ after the service.

2. Our congregation has been working hard preparing for our special Christmas services. Our church was full morning and evening with many first time and returning visitors. God blessed our peoples’ evangelistic efforts and answered your PRAYERS in bringing many to hear the Christmas gospel message. Ramona Olah directed her first Children's Christmas program in the morning service. In our Christmas concert service tonight, Valerie counted 12 unsaved people present. What a joy and privilege to preach Christ in Hungary!

3. God wonderfully blessed as 21 Pecs church members journeyed the 90 miles to Nagykanizsa for a Christmas concert on Thursday night. FOURTEEN local folks were present as we presented Christ in song and preaching. It is thrilling to see a regular core of people already expressing their desire to be charter members in the new church. Thanks for your valuable part in PRAYER for this new work.

4. Please PRAY for our annual Christmas morning service on Tuesday. Please PRAY for Bela Horvath who will be assuming more pastoral responsibilities in 2008 as we continue our transition to national leadership.

Ice crystals are transforming simple trees and bushes into strikingly beautiful landscapes. God is taking your PRAYERS and transforming them into a beautiful work for God. Valerie and I and our family wish all of you Munchers your most blessed Christmas and ask you to remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

December 16, 2007

Dear Munchers:

How is it possible to take Just a Bite? God richly blesses in answer to your PRAYERS. My Munchies have been a little long recently. Tonight, I will try to give you Just a Bite!

1. Falling snow and sickness kept our numbers down today, but I am thankful for the fellowship of God's people and their response to the Word.

2. Please PRAY for important Christmas concerts in Nagykanizsa this Thursday night and in Pecs next Sunday night. Many people have been invited.

3. Lajos Makura came to church last Wednesday night and gave a wonderful testimony of God's grace in healing. Please PRAY for his further healing.

4. Please PRAY for a host of contacts with whom we are working.

5. Our son, James, is home for Christmas. We look forward to precious family time together. Please PRAY for health and strength for Valerie.

Just a Bite! We hope to write of many more blessings from this next week. Please remember this week . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies

December 07 Prayer Letter

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June 16, 2007

....Red Lobster....

Dear Munchers:

The assistant pastor listed our dining choices after a recent morning service - places you would know all too well.  When he said, "....Red Lobster....," I said, "STOP!"  I can't communicate how delicious the steamed Telapia fish covered with barbequed jumbo Shrimp over a bed of garlic mashed potatoes.  Would you please feel sorry for me?  Furlough is tough!  We have enjoyed many spiritual blessings as well.

1. Our main PRAYER need is for my mother-in-law, Maxine Quintana.  She is having a very difficult time in her cancer battle.  She was hospitalized this week to stabilize a number of complications.  Please PRAY for her on-going battle.
2. God answered your PRAYERS for increased attendance in Pecs.  Thank you for PRAYING for Brigitta Reti who was saved in March.  Her husband, Miklos, and two children came to our Hungarian Father's Day services last Sunday.  Please PRAY for Miklos to be saved soon.  Other folks who have been absent returned to the services.
3. Please PRAY for our annual Children's Bible Week in Hungary, this week Sunday through Friday.  The following week, the church teens will be led by David Potter on a Missions Trip to Romania for a Pastor's fellowship.  The teens will be ministering in music, the children's ministry and giving their testimonies.
4. Rejoice with me as we are finally together as a family of four on the road.  We are currently in Phoenix and will drive on to California on Monday.  God has blessed and protected over many miles of travel.  We look forward to many good meetings through July before returning to our home church in August.

Please forgive the irregularity of the Munchies as many times we are driving or have no Internet access.  But we always seem to find a good place to eat.  So whatever your location or menu, please remember . . . "When You're Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!"

Jim Knies