Budapest, Hungary Mission Trip

Written By Mark Kroeker

Check back here for regular updates through the trip on June 16-26, 2025.

Christ Community Family,

 

In one week, I'll arrive in Budapest for a 7-day mission trip, part of a 10-day journey from June 16th-26th. The trip aims to explore a partnership with Josiah Ventures, a mission organization impacting Central and Eastern Europe. I hope to experience JV's mission and develop a lasting partnership for sending annual teams to serve during their camp season.

 

Why Budapest?

 

It is estimated that less than 2% of Central & Eastern European youth are Christians. This means that the mission field is HUGE and Josiah Venture is partnering with the local church to raise up leaders from within Europe.

 

My brother and his wife Aubrey and two kids Mavrick (6) & Laurel (3), are currently serving as full-time missionaries in Hungary. He invited me to come and explore what an ongoing partnership would look like and to experience a Summer Camp with him. The plan would be to return next summer with a team to help lead a camp with JV.  

 

Here is a brief look at their story and you can learn more about them here.

 

Brian and Aubrey have experienced God’s consistent and patient pulling of their hearts to disciple the youth of Hungary since being married in 2017. Brian spent a year in Hungary in 2013 serving through Operation Mobilization’s baseball ministry, and together they have been able to make a couple of short term trips to Hungary where they both fell more in love with the people and their need for Jesus.

The Kroeker family joined the team in Hungary in the Fall of 2023 as Camps Director (Brian) and administrator (Aubrey). They are excited to serve a youth group as a part of a church in Budapest as they work to learn the language and culture.

 

The Trip.

I will fly out on June 16th at 4 PM, landing on June 17th at 6 PM local time. I’ll spend the first days exploring Budapest with my brother and taking a day trip to Vienna, which I hear is amazing! In Budapest, I’ll connect with the Josiah Venture team to learn about their mission with youth. On June 21st, we’ll pick up a group from a Central California church for the first summer camp. I look forward to hearing about their fundraising and team travel experiences. On Sunday, we’ll visit a local church and prepare for camp. I’ll attend camp on Monday and Tuesday, which is about 90 minutes south of Budapest. They host between 20 to 100 students based on youth group participation. I’ll return home on Wednesday afternoon, arriving in Sacramento on Thursday, June 26th.

Please join me in prayer.

  • Pray for my wife Angela and our kids, Ella, Pax, & Addi.

  • Pray that this trip will help give me clarity on what a partnership with Josiah Venture would look like.

  • Pray for safety for my travels to, from, and within Budapest.

  • Pray that I can be an encouragement to my brother, family, and the Josiah Venture staff in Budapest.

Mark Kroeker