Gospel Joy Workshops

“Evangelism that works in Poland”

Location: Poznan, Torun, Bydgoszcz, Szczecin, and Wroclaw

Timeline: On-going

Status: Currently operating

Topics: Choir Workshops, Evangelism, Discipleship

Description:

In Poland, the Evangelical church is viewed as a sect. The ordinary citizen refuses to attend such a church because of this stigma. As a result, to get 30 people to attend any outreach event is extremely difficult. However, the Gospel Joy Workshops and Choir is one form of evangelism that works in Poland.

The popularity of Black Gospel Music in Poland is growing. Hundreds of non-believers come, and even pay, for the Gospel Joy Workshops - not because they want to praise God, but because they want to listen to and sing this dynamic form of music. The workshops are a full-weekend event where a Black Gospel Instructor from the US, along with a Polish Choir Director, teaches participants Gospel songs in English. The workshops include time for the meaning of the songs to be explained which inevitably leads to a clear Gospel presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Workshop attendees invariably look up to the Black Gospel Instructor as a sort of role model because of the popularity of the music around the world.

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 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.”

What is wonderful about this particular method of outreach is that it does not leave a group of new believers without some form of follow-up contact. 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. The first is through regular events, such as Bible studies and Gospel seminars, which any of the participants can sign up for after the concert. The second is by inviting newborn believers to attend future workshops so they can identify with other believers and build healthy relationships with them, allowing natural discipleship to occur within the group.

The timing is crucial for this project. It is NOW. The door is standing open! But as more people hear about the popularity of these workshops, other organizations - whose focus is not on evangelism - will begin organizing and conducting workshops. If another group gets to a city first, that may ultimately hinder Gospel Joy’s ability to share the message and love of Christ there.

Goals:

1. Establish workshops in eight new cities in the next five years.
2. Provide 13,000 non-believers per year an opportunity to hear the Gospel clearly presented.
3. Plant and disciple 12 new churches, one after each city’s workshop.
4. Disciple new believers and see them create disciples of their own.
5. Record and distribute live Gospel music CDs that present the Gospel of Christ.

Needs:

1. Prayer support.
2. Guest artists who can instruct the workshops.
3. Music and sound equipment.
4. A vehicle for transportation of equipment and staff.
5. Groups of believers to blend with the non-believers at the workshop.
6. Financial support.

Who’s Involved

1. ITMI to provide US exposure and oversight.
2. ITMI European Director Piotr Zaremba and The 5N Church in Poznan to provide additional oversight.
3. Pronovis Foundation to provide administration.
4. Poznan International Church and 12 other local churches to provide prayer and fellowship support.
5. Avant Poland, Warsztaty Gospel, Perimeter Church, Atlanta, GA.
6. Gospel Joy Workshop volunteers to support full-time staff members.
7. Gospel Joy full-time staff members:
   
   

   • Megi Sieliccy

   Megi Sieliccy is a talented musician with a heart to see many fall in love with Jesus and worship Him through music. She is a full-time staff member with Gospel Joy Workshop and Choir. Megi not only plays the keyboard for the Workshops, Word Zone and Choir, she also works with Andrew Gorski to coordinate the many details of putting on such large events. Megi’s ability to openly worship Jesus causes the workshop participants to realize that she has something they long for: a loving, intimate relationship with the King of kings. Her passion for Jesus combines with her passion for music to make her a dynamic part of this incredible ministry.

   • Andrew Gorski

   Andrew Gorski, Director of Gospel Joy Workshops and Choir, 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.

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?