Financial seminar in Inowroclaw

For the first time I traveled together with pastor Michal from the Pentecostal church in Gdynia to the city of Inowroclaw. There we together conducted a financial seminar. It was the first time that I had put together a teaching presentation in power point for putting up on screen. I had two presentations on managing personal finances with a special emphasis on not getting into debt ,the use of credit cards, budgeting, tithing, giving, stewardship, looking for ways to cut costs, etc. I had a third session later encouraging people to start their own businesses and all the practical and spiritual aspects accompanying it. Afterwards a number of people came to talk. One brother will be sending me his business plan for me to comment on, another sister has stories that she has written and would like to publish, and a pastor from a nearby church who would like me to also visit his church and minister there.

Teaching and ministry in Gdynia

When we are at home we attend Ecclesia – a local Pentecostal church in Gdynia. More often I am invited to minister Sunday mornings. Recently I have spoken on “The gift of God – salvation”, “Overcoming temptation”, “Spiritual revival”, “The baptism of the Holy Spirit”, “Faith and overcoming fear” and I plan to do a series on “Man’s most dangerous weapon – the tongue”. Twice now I have also been asked to have a sermon for the children – for me it was a small challenge to preach to children for I am not accustomed to it. Also I was asked to share my testimony at the children’s club that the church runs for the neighborhood kids. The most difficult ministry though was conducting the funeral of a friend of mine Janusz who had his 4th heart attack. He went on to be with the Lord Jesus after a time of being in and out of the hospital. I gave a gospel message at the chapel knowing that most of his family are not believers. I knew almost his entire family and used the opportunity to share the message of hope with them. Again later at the grave they heard about the hope the we have in Christ. Two weeks later his youngest daughter Gosia (who is married) gave her life to the lord and has started attending the church. Her husband is an atheist, but he had also come a few times now. She is making friends with people in the church. Janusz’s wife Regina was devastated at her husband’s death, but her faith in God remains strong as she ministers in the worship team.

Home group in Gdynia

Ever since coming to Poland we have led various house groups. The most recent one meets at a family orphanage. Our friends have 4 of their own biological children and 6 other children that they care for. Also attending the house group regularly is another couple and one man. From time to time other guests also come. Picture here are some of the people we meet with every Friday night.

Ministry in Cracow

For the first time since I have been in Poland I was able to preach in Cracow. I had ministered on the street here when I first came to Poland doing street evangelism, but I did not yet back them know of any churches. I spoke on putting everything you have into Jesus’ hands. The message was very well received as many came forward to rededicate their lives to Christ and ask for prayer.

Sweden trip

We had an opportunity as a family to visit friends in Sweden – Zbyszek and Wiesza who came here from Poland 2 years ago. We spent time visiting one of the largest churches in Poland – Word of Life with pastor Ulf Ekman in Uppsala. Our friends are part of the Polish speaking group in his church numbering about 30 people. We had an opportunity to meet many of them and to minister to a few of them. I meet with the person in charge of the Polish section a few times and was asked for help if I would be willing to come from time to time and help them. I have tentative plans to come in May next year. Picture are some of our Polish friends in Sweden.

Update on Pastor Jurek

On behalf of Jurek and his wife Alina, we would like to thank all of you who have been faithfully praying for him. As most of you know pastor Jurek has been fighting with ALS disease for the past few years. His disease started to regress and he regained a lot of strength and abilities that he had lost. Unfortunate his recovery has stood in place now since about March this year – he has neither improved, but neither has his condition grown worse. Please keep him in prayer. Although no one has ever recovered from ALS, our God is a mighty miracle working God who can do whatever He pleases.

This summer was action packed. Our daughter Karolina who is 13 decided to be baptized! As a family we visited friends in Kutno for a day, then we went south to Cracow for 5 days, visiting some of the historic Jewish sites. Then we went to the southern Polish border and visited Zakopane and the Polish mountains. From there headed west and to the concentration camp in Oswiecim where millions of Jews lost their lives. Traveling further south to Wroclaw we stayed with Renata’s parents for a number of days. From there we went to Swieradow Zdroj which borders with the Czech republic to be with friends in the Polish mountains. After returning home the kids enjoyed a week together at a Christian camp. Finally we spent 9 days in Sweden and had a wonderful time with friends before returning home 2 days before school started. Pictured here is Karolina at her baptism.

Barnabas Ministry Website

Over the past few months our mission’s web site has attracted lots of new people from all over the world. Some of the most recent people who wrote to us included: a pastor from Pakistan who asked for us to pray for him and his church, a Christian organization in Israel looking for mission information on Poland, a brother from Australia asking for church addresses for a new convert, a brother from Venezuela who wants to come as a missionary to Poland and asks for our assistance, a sister from the USA whose family was from here and would like to do missions work in Poland, and also a brother from the USA who is a Christian recording artist would like to visit Poland and see also where is family originated from. I am hoping to help organize missions trips for these last two people. If you also felt on your heart to do short or long term missions – please write.

New school year 2008 / 2009

Christ for the Nations Bible school has started the new school year. I’ve been asked to teach on first and second Corinthians. Renata has turned over 90% of her responsibility to a new employee so that she can be home now more with our kids. There are major changes in the school with a number of new people – a new secretary, worship leader, 2 new translators and a public relations person to promote the school.