The Need

gospel joy, polandAlthough 95% of  people in Poland would identify themselves as Roman Catholic, many have never heard that God wants a personal relationship with them. 

Evangelicals - those who believe and preach a grace and relationship based salvation as opposed to a rules or works-based salvation - are often viewed as a cult.

They are suspicious.  They are insane.

They are shunned.

This means evangelism in Poland requires unique creativity, persistence and boldness.

Evangelical Pie Graph

Description

Gospel Joy Workshops and Evangelism is one solution to this challenge. It creatively uses people's interest in Gospel Music in Poland to explain the reason for the existence of the songs: the author's relationship with Jesus.

The popularity of Gospel Music in Poland is growing. Hundreds of non-believers come - and even pay for - the Gospel Joy Workshops.

They want to listen to and sing this popular and dynamic music.

Gospel Joy

Gospel Joy, Poland

Gospel Joy Workshops 

The Gospel Joy Workshops are high octane full-weekend events where a Gospel Music Instructor and a Polish Choir Director teach participants Gospel songs in English.

To the workshop attendees, the Gospel Music Instructor is something like a rockstar, due to the popularity of the music. He or she has a unique platform to talk about his or her relationship with Jesus because of this status.

The workshops include time for the meaning of the songs to be explained.

The explanation of the heart-felt Gospel lyrics is the Gospel itself. The very existence of this music provides a joyful example of what having a relationship with Jesus can be like.

But they also get to see this joy when they connect with the staff, volunteers or previous attendees who are discovering Jesus. There's lots of connecting and relationship building that happens throughout the weekend.

Gospel Joy, Poland

Connections and relationships are built during the Workshop weekends.

The workshop participants display a positive reaction to the explanations of the songs as they truly want to know what they are singing about. Some are even surprised to find that the Gospel message can be interesting and relevant. One participant shared,

“I was touched. If we had worship like this in my church,  ...I would be there everyday.”

Another said,

“The interpretations of the songs made me think a lot. Because of what I heard yesterday at the workshops, I woke up this morning, thanked God that He was caring for me throughout the night, and asked for His blessing on my day.”

A Gospel Joy Gospel Music Concert.

The workshop concludes with a final concert in which the participants present the music they have just learned to a packed auditorium of family and friends.

The good news that Jesus, the Son of God, pursues and desires a relationship with us is also given at the concerts.

Gospel Joy, Poland,

A full house hears that they can have a relationship with Jesus at the final performance concert for a Gospel Joy Workshop.

Gospel Joy puts on workshops in multiple cities around Poland throughout the year.

Gospel Joy, Poland

Gospel Joy, Poland

Word Zone Bible Groups

What is wonderful about this particular method of outreach is that it does not leave a group of new believers alone after the workshop. Being invited to a local Evangelical church might cause these newborn believers to be instantly ostracized within their community.

Instead, loving follow-up is conducted in a natural setting in two ways.

1.  Future Workshops.

Newborn believers are invited to attend future workshops so they can build relationships with the believers there.

2. Word Zone Bible Groups.

All participants have the opportunity to sign up for these after the final concert.

Word Zone, Gospel Joy, Poland

 

Social_Word-Zone-Meeting2-2

Word Zones meet in the non-threatening environment of people's homes.

Amazing Results

This method is EXPLODING.

You can read Basia's story, Joanna's story, Karolina's story and Anna's story. That's just the tip of the iceberg. So many have come to Christ and been discipled!

There are now multiple thriving Word Zone groups!

Men in Action

Men in Action launched in 2015, after the Gospel Joy leadership realized that the ratio of women to men in the Word Zones was  tipped in favor of the women.

That meant many who desired to marry, weren't finding godly partners to raise Jesus-centered families with.

Women to Men Ratio of Word Zones

Men in Action takes its cues from the success of the Gospel Joy Workshops and targets the initial outreach for men with fun, attractive, adrenaline high, friendship-based events.

Then the men can join a discipleship group or an evangelism group, depending on where they are in their journey. These groups will focus on:

1) Spiritual growth - preparing men to lead in their families and the church.

2) Multiplication -  constantly identifying and equipping new leaders.

Men in Action, Poland, Gospel Joy

Worship time at one of the Men in Action events.

Goals

  • Provide 20,000 non-believers a chance to hear the gospel each year.
  • Disciple new believers and see them create disciples of their own.
  • Equip Polish religious leaders to use Gospel Music as a tool to build God's Kingdom.
  • Establish Bible home groups in places where Gospel Joy performs and ministers.
  • Establish a network of groups of people (choirs) with whom Gospel Joy will work closely for one year.
  • Establish a network of 50 kids choirs from all of Poland.

Needs

  • Prayer support.
  • Guest artists who can instruct the workshops.
  • A vehicle for transportation of equipment and staff.
  • Groups of believers to blend with the non-believers at the workshop.
  • Financial support. The cost of the project over the next five years totals about $220,000 USD. We need organizations and people like you to respond to meet this need. Will you please consider partnering with us to help spread the Gospel of Christ to Poland in this wonderfully creative way?

Who’s Involved

 

Andrew Gorski, Ania Gorski, Poland, Gospel JOyAndrew originally realized the opportunity to share Christ with others through the workshops because of his sister's passionate interest in this genre of music. When he saw its popularity in Poland, he immediately sprang into action, creating this wonderful strategy to help draw men and women into personal relationships with Jesus. A visionary, Andrew never stops thinking of new ways Gospel Joy can reach more and more people with this message.

Latest News

“I Was Completely Lost, and at the Same Time, So Excited!”

gospel joy, gorski, poland

Andzia had never seen anything like what she was experiencing. She stood in the balcony of the large concert hall, tears spilling down her cheeks. 

Breaking Free: Would Someone Get Through to Her in Time?

breaking free: would someone get through to her in time?

Julia’s family watched her sink further and further into mental anguish. Would anyone be able to get through to her in time?

Gospel Joy: ITMI Supporters Reach Many and Open Doors, featuring Andrew Gorski

Andrew Gorski, Poland

ITMI’s Andrew Gorski of Poland shares about the new opportunity your support of his family and Gospel Joy Workshops and Evangelism has created!

Gospel Joy Choir Wins Album of the Year!

Gospel Joy Choir, Poland,

Poland’s Album of the Year award was presented by the “Christian Music Community of Poland” to our very own Gospel Joy Choir for their latest album, “Fill My Cup” last week! Gospel Joy’s victory comes…

How Piotr’s Bible Translation is Equipping Evangelists Effectively

Thank you so much for all your prayers!  God has already answered them in an amazing way. Daria managed to pass her final exam with flying colors – and that’s not even the best part! 

Three Prayer Requests from the Gorskis

Gorski, Poland, 3 prayer requests from the Gorskis

ITMI’s Andrew and Anna Gorski have been given a myriad of wonderfully creative and effective ways to reach them. Lately, it seems the more they reach, the more opportunities they have to reach even more!

The Prayers of a Polish Pastor Answered After 8 Years

Poland, Gospel Joy

“We’ve been praying for this for 8 years!” Evangelical leaders in the city of Sroda Wielkopolska were responding to Gospel Joy…

The Moment a Solo Turned from Performance to Prayer

Poland, Gospel Joy,

“After singing her solo, she said this was the first time when it was not a performance for her, but a real prayer and a time of worship.” What led to such a change?

What is a Word Zone? 5 Ingredients to Gospel Joy’s Effective Discipleship

Gospel Joy, Poland,

What, exactly, is a “Word Zone” meeting? We mention them quite a bit. Do you know what they are? At Gospel Joy’s Gospel Music Workshops, participants discover…

Exposed: How Religion Steals the Gospel…and the devastating results.

Poland, Evangelical Poland

“I was very religious,” says Daria Przybyla, “but at the same time as a teenager, I was suicidal and depressed.”

He Was Surprised to Find He Enjoyed Praying

Poland, Daniel Machlowski

“That was surprisingly pleasurable!” Mark’s face was red. He was referring to the prayer he had just participated in with ITMI’s Daniel Machlowski. Daniel and his brother met Martin while sharing Jesus in the streets of Poland in the spring of 2016. Daniel was astounded to discover that…

“Your Prayers and Support Impact People!”

Gospel Joy, Poland,

Although they’d been equipped and trained well, they were a little nervous. Scared even. The reality of what they were about to do hit them hard.

How a Weekend Event Changed 40 (+) Lives Forever!

Gospel Joy, Poland

Last month Gospel Joy Workshops and Evangelism held its 13th annual gospel music workshops in Poznan. There were 400 participants and 1000 people in audience showed up! Glory to God!

60 Give Their Lives to Jesus at Gospel Music Workshop in Northern Poland!

Gospel Joy, Poland, Evangelism

After experiencing this high energy weekend full of relationship building, camaraderie and explanation of how Jesus wants a relationship with us, 60 of the participants decided to respond and enter into a relationship with Jesus! But what happens when…

Help Needed to Launch a Movement!

Gospel Joy,

It started quite a few years ago with one young evangelical pastor who God called to “Translate for Revival” in Poland. You may know 99.97% of Poles identify themselves as part of the state Catholic Church in Poland. You may not know that this majority is extremely suspicious of non-evangelicals. Those who who believe salvation is by faith alone – not works – are considered insane and dangerous.

Spreading Gospel Joy in a New City

Gospel Joy, Poland

In Poland, if you tell someone that Jesus, God of the Universe, wants a relationship with them, it wouldn’t be uncommon for them to respond with a blank stare. They’d be speechless. Although 99% of people in Poland would identify themselves as Roman Catholic, our Polish partners find that often people don’t know what to do with this good news. They feel…

Music from a Bargain Bin in Boston Leads a Not-Yet Believer to Start a Choir in Poland

Gospel Joy Choir, Poland

Andrew Gorski shares the following special report. “You have probably heard Gospel Joy Choir visited Atlanta and Knoxville in January. It was an awesome trip! We are very thankful to God and all hosts and organizers for their work, hospitality and love! Experience the joy of Gospel Joy!   “God surprised us in Atlanta by allowing us to […]

An Exciting High-Adrenaline, Deep Impact Ministry Launching in Poland!

Men in Action, Gospel Joy, Poland

Gospel Joy is launching a high-adrenaline, deep impact ministry in Poland, aimed at a new demographic! Find out who it’s for and why its so exciting!

How Gospel Joy Reaches and Disciples Poles

How Gospel Joy Reaches and Disciples Poles The Gospel Joy Workshops and Evangelism ministry is set up like a funnel. Gospel Joy Funnel Gospel Joy Workshops and Choir. At the top of the funnel is Gospel Joy Workshops and Choir. Thousands hear about personal relationship with Christ through them. Word Zones. For those who participated […]

When “Good Enough” Isn’t Good Enough

  Karolina was careful never to break the rules. She religiously attended church. She did everything they taught in order to make herself a better person – a person good enough for the distant god she felt she could never appease to accept. Deep down, she always knew it would never be enough. Karolina participated […]