Bright Hope for Hungarian Baseball

OM International

In the spring of 2003, Terry began his outreach with a successful baseball camp for athletes in Erd. Shortly after starting regular practices, he decided to join the national league. 

“[The ministry] started as a desire to have a better form of outreach, to hold a relationship for a long time with the people. This is important because in Hungary, it takes about three to five years of relationship-building before men are ready to even consider the gospel,” said Terry.

Six years down the road, he now belongs to the National Baseball Association’s board and assists head coach Ingo Gottwald. When Ingo and his wife moved from England one and a half years ago, he arrived in Hungary just in time to take up position as head coach of all national teams. Originally from Germany, he has coached in Romania and England for the past six years, working mostly with kids between ten and eighteen years old.

This year, summer camp has been held specifically for the national team. Boys, aged 13 to 15, from different parts of the country arrived in Erd for a try-out day. Ingo and Terry then chose 16 of the athletes to play on the team. During this special training week, the boys have been able to receive more one-on-one attention and teaching, especially during the “Character Training” time.

Attila Vamos, current president of the Baseball Federation, is more than thrilled to partake in the growth of baseball in Erd. He has served on the national board prior to taking up an executive stance half a year ago. Attila, Terry and board members have been working closely within the six-month time frame, informing and aiding one another as the youth programme develops. Attila is more than supportive of the international aid that OM contributes through its partnership with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and perceives the growth in foreign participation and coaching as the next step in program development.

This year, two American FCA volunteers and one Canadian Global Challenge participant assisted the coaches, providing a broader and more effective learning system for each team member. Bethany School of Missions, Minnesota, also partnered with OM, sending four students to cook meals for the team. With each different ministry and act of kindness, the 2009 Baseball Camp has been made complete.

Credit: OM International
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