Abel Veres is a theology student, bilingual preacher (Hungarian/German) and youth minister in downtown Budapest, desiring to impact the culture for Christ.
When did you trust Christ?
My father is a Reformed minister, so I grew up knowing a lot about Christianity. However, it was when I was in high school, during youth group, that I understood Jesus Christ saved me personally.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
My theological studies mostly concerned apologetics---defending God to atheists. But Martin Luther's impressive Heidelberg Disputation led me to understand that a theologian of the cross sees the living and active presence of Jesus Christ---a reality even richer than my apologetics.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I believe that the European Leadership Forum can strengthen my ministry by helping me grow in piety and scholarship and by developing my relationships through networking.
What is your ministry?
I am a PhD student in theological ethics at Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary. I serve as an associate pastor in a bilingual church in downtown Budapest. I preach in Hungarian and German, work with youth, and minister sacraments. My ministry goal is to help lead the people of Hungary to the living Word of God and impact our culture in the city center, such as we are currently doing by hosting devotions for the Parliament of Hungary.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
Last year, I worked as a teaching assistant in the Department of Systematic Theology at the Károli Gáspár Reformed University, coordinating students. Additionally, I have served as a youth pastor in Budapest 2020-21 and in suburban Budapest 2022-24. I also consider being a husband and a father as important leadership roles.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
Our congregation has set important mission goals for downtown Budapest, so having a solid scholarly and spiritual foundation would strengthen my ministry. Participating in the Forum would greatly assist me with my university faculty responsibilities, my PhD studies, my work with pastoral students, and my German preaching skills.
