Teach in Hungary

A Step of Faithful Obedience

Makellyn Mathis is a member of Buff Creek Baptist Church in Sylva, NC. She is serving as a missionary for a second year, living and teaching in a grade school in Hungary.

In the fall of 2024, the Lord invited me into a step of obedience-one that stretched my faith and opened my heart in ways I never expected. He called me to Hungary to serve and love the Hungarian people. I didn’t fully understand what He was preparing me for, but I knew His voice, and I chose to follow.

What I didn’t realize was that God would take a weakness I had carried all my life-my struggle with English-and use it for His glory. It still amazes me that I now serve as an English teacher. Every step of obedience has reminded me to boast in Christ alone.

When I first arrived, I thought teaching English simply meant grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. But the Lord gently whispered that my purpose was deeper. My calling wasn’t to create perfect English speakers or collect awards and top grades. My calling was to build relationships and share the love, joy, and peace that flow from knowing Jesus Christ.

I imagined my days would be filled with lessons, then quiet afternoons at home. But God had something much richer in mind. Obedience meant walking closely with people-listening, loving, serving, and simply being present in their daily lives. Through this step of faith, the Lord has let me witness countless miracles that I would have missed had I stayed where I was comfortable.

Obedience has looked like sharing meals with students, cheering them on at competitions, baking cookies together, making thank-you cards, praying over them, and teaching them how to reflect the compassion and kindness of Christ (Colossians 3:12-14). He has allowed me to weave His love into every lesson.

A beautiful example of this happened during a one-on-one lesson with an 8th-grade student. She asked me, “Why did you leave America to come here?” I softly replied, “Because of Jesus.” As we talked, I shared Scripture and the gospel message with her. She confided that, although she longed for a relationship with Christ, it was difficult because her parents were unbelievers and no one around her had a relationship with Him. What began as a simple English lesson soon became a profound opportunity to share God’s love and pray with her. Though we may not always see the immediate fruit of our labor, God calls us to walk faithfully in obedience and trust His sovereign work.

So, I ask you: Will you take your own step of obedience? Will you let God use your weaknesses as a testimony of His greatness?

Perhaps God is calling your church to be part of this work-to share the love of Jesus in Baptist schools, to invest in English Bible camps, and to help build meaningful relationships within the Hungarian community.

When we say yes to God, lives are changed-our own included. Step out in faith and watch how He will use you to shine His light in Hungary.

For more information about the Teach in Hungary opportunity or to send a team to serve in the schools, contact Teresa Jones.