Peter Andras will be 69 years old when he walks across the stage in September to receive his bachelors degree in theology. The oldest Adventist College student in Hungary, Andras will graduate from the Adventist Theological Seminary (ATS). For the last fo
Peter Andras will be 69 years old when he walks across the stage in September to receive his bachelors degree in theology. The oldest Adventist College student in Hungary, Andras will graduate from the Adventist Theological Seminary (ATS). For the last four years, Andras has been a resident in the dormitory along with students one-third his age.
“The graduating class of five is the only class in recent years that has not had any dropouts since starting,” says Dr. Laszlo Hangyas, principal of the college. “This can be attributed to Peter’s positive influence in the class. He is a precise person, a diligent student, and has been a fine example to the others in the class, a bit like a grandfather figure to his classmates.”
Coming from a poor family, life for Andras while growing up was a struggle. He remembers being the guide for his blind grandfather when he was young. When he was 10 years old his parents divorced and his formal education suffered. He wasn’t able to complete high school, but studied at a technical school to become a carpenter, a profession in which he excelled. Andras married at 20 years old and has three children and eight grandchildren.
Being a highly skilled carpenter with strong management skills, he soon rose to middle management in the company where he was employed. To become a company director, he needed to complete high school, which he did by attending night classes. He graduated when he was 30 and attended Marx University. He successfully worked in the furniture business for 25 years.
Nearing 50, Andras’ health began to suffer. He was diagnosed as diabetic, with a heart problem and spinal problems as well. He was not able to work and became depressed. Andras needed to have open heart surgery and several other operations. Fighting thoughts of helplessness, he sought help from a psychologist who gave up on him after four years of visits.
It was during this low time in his life that he saw a billboard advertising a meeting on the Bible Lands. He decided to attend and was encouraged by what he heard. He decided to read the Bible, and his interest led to Bible correspondence lessons and books by Ellen G. White, one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. After two years of further studies, he was baptized in September 2000.
A local pastor encouraged Andras to attend a three-week health evaluation program. Being the only non-minister in the group, he realized he didn’t know as much about the Bible and theology as the others, which motivated him to learn more. He applied to ATS to be a full-time student.
While in college, Andras broke his leg in two places and had to be away from classes for more than six weeks. His younger classmates rallied together to help him keep up with his classes.
Doctors have told Andras he needs surgery on his spine for another condition, which means he will be bed-ridden for six months, but he decided to delay this until after his exams and graduation.
“Peter was and is an example to us,” says classmate Palma Csergedi-Nagy. “He is very dedicated and committed to his studies. We have learned much from his example; and over the last four years we have all become close and good friends.”
“I am grateful and very happy for the four years I have been able to spend at ATS,” Andras says. “I really enjoyed studying the Gospels and doctrines of Christianity. I want to serve God, share my faith, and help my family to know about Him. I see little signs from time-to-time that indicates to me they are slowly changing their attitude towards me, and I pray to God to help me share His love with them. Where I live in Jaszbereny there are only five church members, and I plan to be involved in church planting to help build up a church in my town.”
ATS was founded in 1948 as Adventist Ministerial Seminary. It was forced to merge with other minor religious organizations as an interdenominational seminary from 1967 to 1989, and was renamed Adventist Theological Seminary in 1989. ATS moved to its present site at Pecel in 1998. With 68 students, 11 who are full time, ATS provides degrees for theology and religion and caters to students from Hungary and Romania (Transylvania).
