Richard and Brooke Nungesser

Location: Poznan, Poland

Time line: On-going

Status: Currently operating

Topics: Homeless, local church, church planting, student ministry, evangelism, those with addictions

The Need

As the Communist rule in Poland crumbled, it left in its wake economic weakness that will take decades to heal.  This has left much disillusion and poverty.  As the historically religious Catholic nation embraces its independence in the modern world, the disillusionment and poverty is leading to a high level of homelessness and hopelessness.  In many cases, these are actually just symptoms of issues that are far more deeply rooted such as addictions, social ostracism and failure to live up to the rules of religion, all of which knowing Jesus and His story can heal. 

These are issues that the Nungessers are seeking to address with their ministry in Poland.

The Description:

The Nungessers founded and continue to be closely involved and raise support for Bread of Life.  Bread of Life demonstrates Christ to those suffering from poverty, unemployment, homelessness, substance abuse, prostitution, as well as to those who have been orphaned or widowed. They offer a wide variety of social services, soup kitchens, education and Biblical training to people in 5 cities in Poland, Moldova and the Ivory Coast.  Bread of Life is also the parent of the New Life Center, a transition home where homeless men can receive intense counseling, rehabilitation and life skills during an extended committed stay. It is the only Christian organization reaching out to the homeless in these cities. Bread of Life seeks to meet people’s physical needs and the spiritual need for Jesus. 

ITMI highly values equipping national believers to minister to their own communities, and Richard and Brooke Nungesser have been able to equip nationals to run Bread of Life.  This also allows the Nungessers to spend time in other ministries.

Poznan International Church (PIC) is an English speaking church for foreign students from all over the world who attend Poznan University.  These students come to Poznan without friends or family and are actively looking for a way to connect with others. Because of this, there is a wonderful opportunity to share the Gospel of Christ with them.  Many of them come from influential positions in their communities, and will return, taking the message of the Gospel with them and equipped to serve, lead and possibly even pastor or plant churches.   Richard is the Pastor of Poznan International Church.  He and Brooke minister to these students, discipling and training them to Come and Experience God, Grow in Discipleship, Serve with your time, talents and resources, and Go Make Disciples. 

Now, the Nungessers are lifting their eyes to several other cities in Poland, where there are many internationals with no ministry reaching them.  They are taking steps toward replicating Poznan International Church in these cities.  Depending on the manpower and support they can get, they see 10 cities on the horizon.  

Goals

1. Share Jesus with Polish students, homeless and anyone else whose paths they cross.
2. Equip nationals to grow Bread of Life to reach more of the poorest of the poor.
3. Equip internationals to return to their home countries as Christian leaders.
4. Plant International Churches in 10 new cities.

Needs

1. Prayer support for Richard and Brooke as they live lives that demonstrate and declare the gospel.
2. Prayer support for Bread of Life and Poznan International Church
3. Support and funds for more polish believing workers for Bread of Life’s expansion.
4. Funding and manpower for planting International Churches in 10 new cities.

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. Poznan International Church
4. Bread of Life