Delegates from most Baptist Union churches in Poland gathered in the premises of the Baptist Church of Warsaw Radość for a national conference (1-3 June).

Around 170 participants, including guests, came together for three days under the theme “Go… I am with you!”, which paraphrased the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 28.

Among those invited to share at the gathering were Alan Donaldson (secretary of the European Baptist Federation), Jason Bishop (representative of the Baptist International Mission Board), Eric Mock (president of the Slavic Gospel Association) and Igor Bandura (vice president of the Ukrainian Baptist Union).

[photo_footer] An image of the 2023 Polish Baptist Union conference, 1-3 June. / Photos: Piotr Jurago, Maksym Sliazin [/photo_footer] 

Action in Poland and beyond

The president of the Polish Baptist Union, Marek Głodek, was in charge of the opening sermon. Later, a presentation of the work of Polish Baptists in support of Ukrainians was given.

[photo_footer] An image of the 2023 Polish Baptist Union conference, 1-3 June. / Photos: Piotr Jurago, Maksym Sliazin [/photo_footer] 

Discussions to change the internal laws of the Baptist Church in Poland were also opened, seeking to strengthen the functioning of the denomination in the next few years. Evening testimonials and inspiration led by pastor David Bednarczyk closed the first day.

[photo_footer] An image of the 2023 Polish Baptist Union conference, 1-3 June. / Photos: Piotr Jurago, Maksym Sliazin [/photo_footer] 

On the second day, formal meetings included the introduction of six new local churches in the Baptist Union, all of which started in the last two years. Additionally, eleven new pastors ordained in the same period of time were presented to the assembly.

A panel discussion on the topic, “What is God doing now?” was an offer in the afternoon, and a Bible quiz and karaoke closed the day near the bonfires.

As in previous editions, the national conference of the Baptist Union ended with a final service and sermon. It was delivered by pastor Robert Miksa, from the third Baptist church in Gdańsk.

New challenges but “God’s mission does not change”

“We thank God that we could once again reaffirm our unity, care for each other and for the church, and with hope we could return to our congregations”, said the president of the Baptist Union looking back at the event.

“Each of us was encouraged to work in our town to make sure that the gospel reaches our fellow countrymen. Although the modern world presents us with many new challenges, we believe that God’s mission does not change, that our assignment remains unchanged: we are to go, preach the gospel and make Christ known wherever we are”, Marek Głodek summarised.

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