Modern Disciple Magazine for Men (MDM4M), published in Canada 
NOVEMBER 2004
NOVEMBER 2004
NOT BY CHANCE:
The True Story of Word of Life's First Missionary Efforts in Communist Hungary
Paul BubarFirst Century Publishing
"The book, NOT BY CHANCE is a story of modern day miracles and the good hand of God on modern missions. It is a true story of faith, vision, intrigue and daring to go through open doors. It is a story of what God will do when you dare to believe and follow Him through those open doors. It is must reading for every Christian who has the desire to follow Christ."
Dr. Jerry Falwell, Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church
President Emeritus, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.
I have been waiting several months to finally review this book. Back in July, I spoke with the author and with the publisher, who had given me a couple of chapters to read. It moved and inspired me back then with its wonderfully upbeat message through what could be considered a very troubling set of circumstances. Risking arrest in a communist country to preach the gospel, setting up a missions ministry within a country in turmoil, and the sudden, tragic death of a young missionary in his ascendency... any one of these could be reason to fear or quit. Nevertheless, God's work moves forward and the joy of youth turning to Christ keeps the reader mind and heart in awe of what the Lord is doing.
The author, Paul Bubar, has been a witness to and participant in many amazing works of God, among youth especially. He was one of the earliest members of Jack Wyrtzyn's WOL team, the founder of the the WOL Bible Club ministry and of the Word of Life camp in Schroon Lake, NY. Paul was the director of the WOL Island in the 1970's and became the director of International ministries in the 80's. This book is the story of how, in the mid-80's, while Eastern Europe was still under communism, had a God-appointed meeting with a Hungarian Jew that led to an open door for teen ministry in Hungary, and of the miraculous growth of that ministry in its first ten years.The growth of the Hungarian ministry was not without resistance. COnsider this excerpt:
John Viczian boomed, "Do you know who this man is? Do you know how powerful he is here in Hungary? Do you know what he can do to you... or what he can do to us?"
Yes, I thought to myself, you are especially concerned with what he could do to "us." I had obviously miscalculated. Instead of causing them to back off, I had jacked up the odds. This was not what I wanted to do. They now perceived me as a totally loose cannon, as one who could cause great damage and who was not marching to their drumbeat, and one that somehow somply had to be controlled.
Hungary was a special challenge, but also a field white for harvest. Though this book tells of the intrigues, the spy games and the red tape, it also records the wonderful successes and the many lives changed by the gospel. While Paul was the director at the helm of the growing international ministries, it was his son Daniel who caught the burden for the Hungarian people as the country began to open up after the fall of communism. I a very real way, that young man gave his life to God for use among the young of Hungary. It is very fitting that Not By Chance is dedicated to Dan Bubar. He was the epitome of the Modern Disciple. Consider this, from the dedication: "For some of us, the race is a marathon and we get the full track, but God chooses a short race for some. They are the sprinters, and they win with a fast start. Dan loved to run and he ran life's race well -- he ran to win!"
It is my prayer that my life and yours will be run to win, no matter what the length. Reading this book could help you to catch that vision or make it clearer in your mind.
All articles in MDM4M are © the author or, if no author given, © the publisher.
Opinions and views are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the opinions of MDM4M.
Opinions and views are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the opinions of MDM4M.