Poland
"In past couple years in our church, we prepare a plans. We think, 'Maybe we need a band,' " shares ITMI's Tomek Jezyk.
Tomek is the pastor of Kalisz Baptist Church in Kalisz, Poland.
Tomek, his wife Eliza and his daughter, Estera.
Under Tomek's leadership, the tiny group of believers - there's just 5 members - hosts outreach events and partners with Bread of Life to serve the poor and to raise funds for sick children in their city.
The church has been slowly remodeling their historic facilities so they can serve their community better. They want to offer a warm place for children of the community to stay safe, stay out of trouble and receive tutoring.
Why does Kalisz Baptist Church have 5 people?
Most Poles identify with the State Church. Anything apart from that is such a minority that most view them as a cult and are fearful of contact with them.
Less than 1% of Poles are Evangelical. That purple slice of the pie is almost too small to notice! That means the (only) Baptist Church in Lodz, Poland, pastored by ITMI's Leszek Wakula is like a "mega-church" at around 120.
Kalisz Baptist Church's quaint historic facility.
Tomek is also the Director of Bread of Life in that city. Bread of Life offers many services and help for the poorest of the poor in Kalisz, Poland.
Tomek started Christmas in the Square several years ago. It's a big event before Christmas that brings the people of Kalisz together to raise funds to help the families of sick children.
Another Bread of Life outreach Tomek started is David's Club. David's Club is a way Tomek serves street children and underprivileged children by offering them a positive outlet.
The kids come to learn martial arts and stay because they build relationships, feel part of something and develop discipline.
ITMI's Tomek Jezyk teaches martial arts for street children in Kalisz.
Tomek saw the similarities of his church's struggles to a fight. He continues, "We fight, but our church still was small - 5 members."
Then, Tomek had a realization. What his church needed wasn't a band.
What did Tomek's church need to do instead?
They stopped "fighting." And they prayed. They asked the Spirit to help them reach the marginalized, needy and lost in their city.
"We realized that our tactic is not worthy at all, " says Tomek. They didn't need to fight to grow their church with their own power.
A certain kind of band wouldn't grow their church.
A remodeled building won't grow their church. But the Holy Spirit can.
Where did Tomek's realization lead?
Marcin wandered into Kalisz Baptist church's quaint building from the street. The believers hadn't done anything to find him, but he made it anyway.
He may have thought he wound up in the quaint building with God's people. But Marcin was guided there by the Lord. Tomek baptized Marcin earlier this year.
But that's not all.
The last time the congregation met, Tomek counted 30 people!
"What kind strategy do I use? I will tell you," says Tomek, "praying. Fighting without fighting, because God is fighting, behind our back. Our church comes together and prays for something what we don't see, but we are trusting that God will fight for us. He is our strategy."
Tomek's ministry - from reaching street children, to shepherding a church, to offering services to the poorest of the poor in Kalisz - is all possible through your support of Bread of Life and its many ministries.
Tomek wouldn't be making a difference in the lives of people like Marcin, providing leadership for a church or helping the families of sick children without you.
Thanks for "fighting without fighting" for Tomek and his ministry in Kalisz, Poland. Thanks for empowering godly believers like Tomek, all over the world who are faithfully and quietly serving those the Lord has called them to serve.
Even if it just starts with 5.
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