Poland
How much ministry can you fit into one week? Well, if you're ITMI's Daniel and Blueberry Machlowski in Poland...quite a bit.
After their first year of marriage, you might be really surprised at what they do in a week. But, then again, if you know Daniel - maybe it's not so surprising!
During the weekdays, Daniel is an Assistant Pastor for K5N church. He may meet with people for one-on-one English lessons or for discipleship if they are available during the day. Daniel is meeting regularly with at least 20 people either individually or in a group, leading them all toward Jesus and equipping them for mission!
Blueberry spends lots of time with people who have needs, or who need prayer: young believers, women in tough situations or to pray with other believers over their own marriages.
But, for the most part, "Ministry starts when people get off work," Daniel says.
Ministry Starts When People Get Off Work
Monday: Beginner English
On Monday nights, Daniel and Blueberry teach a group of 4 people “beginner” English lessons. Daniel grew up in Arizona, and enjoys using his knowledge of English to build relationships for the glory of God. Blueberry’s English is past the beginner level, so she can help with this lesson.
The lesson includes reading the Bible and splitting into small groups - women with Blueberry and men with Daniel - to pray.
A common theme in Poland is though people are part of the State Church, they don't pray themselves. They feel like praying must be done a certain way and they don't know it.
They don't feel free to approach God, because the church makes them aware of their sin but doesn't offer a solution for it.
The English lesson yields opportunities for Daniel and Blueberry to demonstrate prayer as conversation with God, and show others how anyone can do it.
The English lesson yields opportunities to demonstrate prayer as conversation with God, and show others how anyone can do it.
Tuesday: Intermediate English
On Tuesday nights, Daniel teaches a second group “intermediate” English. At one point there were 12 in this group. Currently there are 5. Many of those don’t know Jesus or are new believers. These, too, are fruitful relationship building sessions.
One member of Daniel's English lessons was recently led to Christ by ITMI's Andrew Gorski! Daniel will continue discipling him.
Wednesday: International Conversation Club
On Wednesday nights, they go with others from K5N to an “International Conversation Club,” with 50-100 people from all over the world.
They just go and talk! They learn people’s stories and share their own.
Each member of the club gets a sticker indicating what language they can speak and understand. Because Daniel's sticker has Polish, English and Spanish stickers, many want to talk to him. “I can use speaking English for God’s glory,” he says.
If anyone they talk to seems open, the outreach team will invite them to meet for coffee one-on-one later and begin a relationship.
Thursday: Street Church
On Thursday nights, Daniel goes with a group of believers to the town square with loud speakers or microphones - and permission from the government. There is a worship band and someone shares from the Word or gives a testimony.
They serve soup and bread for the homeless, and people talk and pray with them.
Many walk by and hear. If they stop, someone engages them right away, asking “What do you think about this?” If they can they'll share their testimony and the Gospel with them.
Daniel praying with homeless men in the town square.
Blueberry participates in a evangelistic drama in the town square.
The Poznan Town Square
Friday: Conversations in the Town Square
On Friday nights, they go to the town square with other believers. They’ll just engage in friendly small-talk with anyone who is receptive.
Sometimes, they ask people what their opinion is of a current social problem.
"People love to complain,” Daniel commented.
But it gets them talking. Then Daniel likes to share some good things God is doing in the city. He’ll ask them what they think about the Good News about Jesus as a solution to the city’s problems.
If they seem open, they'll be asked if they’d like to give their lives to Christ. Not many are ready at that point, but most leave feeling blessed and thank them for sharing.
"Our main goal isn't to get all the way through to them giving their life to Christ," Daniel says.
Instead, the main goal is to establish a relationship in hopes of meeting with them again and sharing the good news with them outside of the street evangelism opportunity in hopes that through regular meetings in the Word and prayer they will give their lives to Christ.
"Sometimes I just ask them if they'd like to learn English or if we can pray for them," he continues, "I'm training new believers who have just been baptized for when they are with non-believing friends and family how to have a conversation about Jesus that leaves them feeling blessed, not upset."
And remember, in Poland, getting baptized into an Evangelical body of believers could cause your mother to cry, or your family disown you, so this is a conversation that is definitely going to happen and being prepared for it makes a huge difference.
One Friday night of each month, some of the outreach team attend the Friday night K5N youth gathering and teaches them how to talk to their friends about Jesus. As the students learn, they are evangelizing themselves and if they don't yet know Jesus personally, they may after the training!
The youth from K5N Church gather every Friday night.
Saturday: Movie Night
Every other Saturday night, they host a movie night in their home, inviting anyone they’ve had contact with to join the fun and build relationships.
Sunday: Church Gathering
"Church is not a mingling time for us," Daniel says, "it's ministry."
They stay until most everyone else leaves. Daniel has a personal goal to make sure he has a conversation with every new person who shows up. They are there first thing in the morning and want to stay as long as possible with anyone that wants to stay and chat.
"I was really convicted when I talked to someone who said they just sat in the corner their first time and no one talked to them. We're already considered a cult," Daniel explained.
Daniel and Blueberry also lead the K5N youth ministry, which has a separate meeting on Sunday mornings, too. This consists of small group time where students meet with "their" leader, then a large group discussion time which Daniel facilitates.
The Goal of Each Week
"We want to be in the community as many ways as possible," Daniel says. "Our goal is to get as many people into disciple meetings or groups as possible."
Daniel's heart is heavy knowing so many Poles do not have a relationship with Jesus, and he knows he can't reach them all. So in addition to telling people they meet about Jesus, Daniel and Blueberry are always seeking to equip those who already know Jesus to interact with those who don't in a natural, non-threatening way.
Each week presents 168 hours in which the Holy Spirit can use them to push the needle a little further toward more hearts and lives being in submission to Jesus as Lord, and glorifying Himself in Poland!
Summer Kelley is a writer and follower of Jesus living in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and three kids. She’s had the honor and privilege of telling ITMI’s stories since 2006. Summer loves reading, the outdoors and Coca-Cola Classic.