Christian books were banned in Hungary under Communism – just as in all the other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The only way to get them was to smuggle and distribute them illegally.
After the change in the political system, it became possible to officially publish religious books of any kind without the approval of someone from the government. Thus, the first official publishers started their work and soon two people from CLC (Dave Birchall, the Regional Director at the time, and Heiner Rindisbacher, who was working temporarily in the CLC bookshop in Austria) investigated to see if they could open a bookshop in Budapest.
They prayed for guidance on a hill overlooking Budapest and made contacts with local churches. The Rindisbachers then moved to Hungary and, with the help of a Hungarian couple, the ministry started in 1993. A year later, our first shop was opened. It was the very first interdenominational bookstore in the country. Our work later grew to three bookshops and a website – and we are now taking the first steps toward publishing.
Forever Grateful, CLC 75
Based on material first published in a 75th anniversary magazine, you will find stories from the 75 years of CLC. There are stories of God’s faithfulness and miracles, of people coming to faith and special ‘forever grateful’ moments.