A Baptist Church, A Coffee House, and a Language School ... What next?

FEBRUARY 2008

Lubin: Regional Impact Team

(Bogusia & Zbyszek Hanaczewscy. Pat Weathersbee. Louise Eisenhauer. Andrea Hagen. And Carlene & Paul Eager)

Greetings from the Regional Impact Team of Lubin, Poland. We would like to share with you where we feel God is directing us in the future. But first, please join us for a moment to read about how God formed and multiplied us, then what we are trusting Him for in the near future and how you can join us in God’s exciting work in Lubin and beyond.

How God Formed:

Let us go back to February 2005. Three groups came together in Głogów, Poland to discuss a church planting effort in a city located 25 miles away, in Lubin. Głogów Baptist Church, International Mission Board (IMB) and SEND International felt that God was leading us to Lubin as a prime location for a new church. Ten members of the Głogów Baptist Church already lived in Lubin, and there was no other Baptist church in a city of 85,000 people. That February, God provided a building to rent. Through the financial help of IMB and others, the interior was completely remodeled so it could function as a language school, coffee house, and church facility. That year Coffee House “Logos” was formed, but through God’s working much has happened since then.

How God Multiplied:

The school, coffee house and church started out small. We were new, but God grew us over time, and is continuing to do so. The school had eight students for English classes and there were days where we waited for people to come to the coffee house. Now the English classes have approximately 80 students enrolled, and a regular group of youth comes to the coffee house with a number of them changed. We have also seen the church expand to include an international service, cooking classes and a children’s club. An association, called "Real Hope" has also been formed and registered. This expands the possibilities the Lubin RIT has within the community. This time of growth is exciting but there are new challenges as we stand at the threshold of the future and expect more God-given growth. With the many activities God is giving us and for the continued growth, a larger building is necessary. Yes, there are many new activities planned in order to make contacts, but the greatest joy is to hear church members expressing over and over with tears in their eyes how grateful they are to have a church in their city instead of traveling 80 km every Sunday as they previously did for 20 years. They are deeply filled with gratiitude that there is a body of believers here in Lubin to worship God together as brothers and sisters in Christ.

How you can join in the work of God:

As a Regional Impact Team and as a church, we have prayerfully come to the decision to research what local property is available for purchase. One major factor affecting the decision is the rising cost of rent for the current building and the increasing cost of property in the city with our contract ending in the next couple of years.

There are two avenues we can pursue - purchasing a pre-existing building and remodeling or purchasing land and building a new building to suit anticipated growth. We are keeping our options open and seeking God for wisdom as decisions are made.

However, in addition to wisdom, the Lubin church is in need of financial resources. The current estimated cost of the project is $210,000 USD. It is very difficult at this time for churches to receive approval on a loan this size. As we see God at work, we know that He will also provide.

This letter is being sent out to God’s people all over the world. If the Holy Spirit has been touching your heart and has given you an excitement for the work God is doing, please prayerfully consider how He can use you to further His kingdom in Lubin, Poland.

We are excited and wait in expectation for how God will provide both financially and expected growth of His Church. Wisdom and God’s direction are key right now. We ask that you would keep us in your prayers

Come, join us!

*For those in the USA that would like to donate, please contact us for further information*
For other info: pceager@orange.pl

Bank info:

Kościół Chrześcijan Baptystów

ul. Chopina 55, 67-200 Głogów
Bank Zachodni WBK
ul. Odrodzenia 5, 59-300 Lubin Poland
SWIFT / BIC WBKPPLPP
IBAN: PL91 1090 2082 0000 0001 0462 7671

· Church: 20-25 people, meets every Sunday, Sunday school provided for children.
· Coffee House: Open 4 nights per week, relationship building environment, place for groups to have meetings like TPD (Therapeutic group for parents of mentally and physically impaired children).
· Language School: Approximately 80 students meet for classes on a weekly basis, about 12 students meet weekly for English conversations to practice the language, holds English competitions for local high schools.
· Youth Bible Study: Meets once a week for those who are interested in learning what the Bible teaches. It developed through friends made at the coffee house.
· Kids Club/Scouts: Approximately 30 children ages 6-12 come to the coffee house once a week for a Bible lesson, games, and crafts.
· Scouts: Youth ages 12-16 come to the coffee house for a weekly meeting consisting of a practical lesson from the Bible and activity time.
· Cooking Lessons: A time for people in the community to come together and learn new recipes and meet new friends.
· Other:

~Weekly Bible and craft time spent at a nearby Women’s shelter.

~Helped construct a playground for low-income area.

~Help with a local school for the disabled. Two benefit concerts were organized to help them.

SEND International / P.O. Box 513 / Farmington, Michigan / 48332 / USA

If you have any questions please contact us at pceager@orange.pl

or please call us at +(48+76)844.1351 / +(48)500.064.511