Jim LaRose

Location: Poznan, Poland

Timeline: On-going

Status: Currently operating

Topics: Youth Ministry, Evangelism & Discipleship

The Need

There are many children in Poland who are being raised in environments where alcohol is the most commonly consumed liquid. These cold, uncaring and hopeless environments eventually cause these young people to be disconnected from everything - even life itself. Others are raised in government foster homes by paid employees who do not care about the children at all. Some even undergo sexual or physical abuse when no one is watching at night.

Imagine the depth of disengagement from life and “hardening” these children go through. Imagine what the hearts and minds of these children must be like as they cope with getting through the challenge of a single day. There are so few workers reaching out to these hardened hearts.

Description:

Jim LaRose opens his arms to these children. Each summer, he and his team organize and conduct two to three summer camps designed for these kids.

For two weeks they are able to stay at the camp, participate in fun activities, learn English, and most importantly, experience the love of Jesus through the Christian adult volunteers at the camp. The kids hear about Jesus and His free gift of salvation during their stay at Jim’s camps. After the camps, Jim follows up with the children by visiting them at their foster homes or finding them on the streets. He works hard at developing a mentoring relationship with them.

Many times, these youth initially respond by hating the love they are shown, because true Christian love forces itself through the cracks of their hardened exteriors. But as promised in 1 Corinthians 13:4, “love never fails” - and eventually these children become capable of receiving and showing love. To have the strength to love those who reject your love, and to do it day-after-day is a testament to God’s power in Jim, enabling him to rise above the challenges of this ministry.

God loves these children so much, He has provided someone to show His love and care to them.

Goals

1. Share Christ Jesus with children and youth who lack hope.
2. Open a Christian foster home to provide for needy children.
3. Recruit and train a staff of helpers to grow this ministry.

Needs

1. Prayer support for Jim and his team as he faces the challenges and demands of ministry.
2. Support and funds for the opening of a foster home.
3. Short-term missionaries to volunteer at the summer camps.

Who’s Involved

1. ITMI to provide US exposure and guidance.
2. Piotr Zaremba, ITMI’s European Director, to provide additional support and guidance.
3. K5N Church, under the direction of Rev. Piotr Zaremba.
4. Kompass Association
5. Jim’s co- workers, Lukasz and Asia Mikolajczyk.