Who is reaching Polish youth?
Taste … and see that the Lord is good. (Ps 34:8)
In spite of a population of 38 million people, Poland has only a handful of full time youth workers. Most youth groups are led by someone who shouldn’t have the time or space for such intensive ministry. Someone like Ania.
Ania should be overwhelmed, or maybe even depressed. Her husband passed away five years ago, leaving her with three kids to raise on her own. A working mom and full-time student, she juggles the responsibility of providing for her family and caring for young children. For most people that would be more than enough. But Ania also has a deep desire that the young people in her church and community become committed followers of Christ.
When she heard that Fala (the name of JV Poland’s organization) offered a school of youth leaders, she made space in her already full schedule for five weekends of study. There Ania was exposed to Christ’s life in a deeper way, and learned how he reached the lost and made disciples. Because the school of leaders focuses on equipping teams, she was able to bring several students from her church with her.
In spite of her difficult circumstances, Ania is full of faith. “The School for Ministry Teams helped me realize the importance of team leadership,” she says. “In the past I always did everything on my own. I always believed it was right to equip others, but I never knew how to do it. This training gave me the confidence and skills to begin a ministry team in my youth group.”
Ania takes what she learns and immediately passes it on, giving selflessly to the next generation. Because of that the youth ministry in her church is alive and transformational – and the young people she is building into are already reaching their friends.
Maybe we should all be more like Ania.
