Potential Unfolds in Poland

Meet these four wonderfully gifted ladies from Poznan International Church. Ania – a worship singer whose low, powerful voice ushers you into the Lord’s presence. She is working in a language school and is just about to complete her undergraduate degree. Mwanso – a vivacious Zambian with a heart for worship. Currently completing her BA thesis in physiotherapy, Mwanso is planning to stay in Poznan for graduate studies. Christine – a Taiwanese Canadian, she is studying medicine in Poznan and leads a small Bible study group for the Taiwanese from her dorm. Karolina – a worship singer with a burden for China. She is studying ethnolinguistics and juggling the demanding study schedule with a theological degree she is pursuing on the weekends – in another city.

There is potential in each, but every so often, their hectic schedules threaten to crush their joy, upset their priorities, and get their focus off the things that matter. The quiet time becomes shorter. The victories are taken in stride without due praise. The failures are lived through alone. And the potential is starved.

This is especially critical once you realize the enormous possibilities that Poznan, one of Poland’s major cities, offers as a mission field. Its top-quality schools and universities have made the city a magnet for young high-school graduates from all around Poland. They start to throng Poznan buses and trams as soon as the academic year begins in October. Internationals come, as well, attracted by medical courses, which train experts specifically sought in the West. In fact, in 2003, 1 in 5 of the city’s residents was a student. However, with good bible believing churches few and far in between, hardly ever does a believing student find a Christian colleague studying with him. Usually, young Christians are left alone to face the challenges of their campuses, and to preserve the purity of heart and mind amidst the liberal, hedonistic atmosphere typical for student community. For internationals, who grapple with a foreign culture and language, this situation is doubly trying. Even if they do find a Polish church, how can they be nourished and grow without understanding what is actually taught?

This is why God is using Tucker and Meredith Boone to build up the body of Christ in Poznan, Poland. The couple have attached themselves to Poznan International Church, which ministers to students using English. The church is lovingly led by ITMI’s Richard Nungesser and his wife Brooke. At their side, Meredith and Tucker open their house to host events that enable fellowship, offer times of rejuvenation, and opportunities for spiritual growth. Throughout the academic year 2006-2007, both of them moderated inspiring Bible studies for the churchgoers hungry for the meat of the Word. In this way, the participants were motivated to study the Scripture consistently, encourage and receive encouragement. Meredith did not even hesitate to go the extra mile and organize individual Bible studies at different times in the week for the ladies from her circle whose schedules did not allow them to come to regular meetings. Other events – movie nights, church lunches, dinners, retreats and parties – all facilitate Christian fellowship, reminding the churchgoers that they are not alone, but surrounded by a “cloud of witnesses” for Christ.

The bonds of mutual support that evolve as a result of such events defy the ethnic and cultural factions warring in the world today. It is usual to have every continent – apart from Antarctica – represented in PIC on Sundays, but this diversity only constitutes the church’s richness, as Christians from all around the globe minister to each other in prayer and worship. Polish members, like Ania and Karolina, for example, are eager to translate, explain and generally help the internationals in their daily encounters with Polish reality, or, if need be, serve as tour guides for newly-arrived exchange students. Christine sends her colleagues uplifting text messages during the week, and punctiliously keeps track of exams that need to be bathed in prayer. When Mwanso invites people from the church to her tiny dorm room, she often inspires them to spontaneously break into song of worship for the Lord. Her nonbeliever friends are astounded then by the joy and passion that Mwanso exhibits. With such strong foundation of Christian fellowship, the potential of the ladies you met above – as well as other Christians from PIC – can unfold without hindrance, and it is wonderful to see them shine in front of the unbelieving world.

The ties of friendship knit at PIC are frequently for life, thanks to the community atmosphere created by PIC fellowship gatherings. A couple of years ago, the church fell on its collective knees as Tessa, one of the members, developed cancer. God in His great mercy prevented it from spreading and granted her a new lease of life. It lasted until last year, when the disease hit back fiercely. Again, although she and her family had already moved out of the country, PIC Christians united in love and prayer for her, holding special prayer meetings and sending out encouraging words. But this time God chose to call her home. Her international friends grieved over the loss – even as they were consoled by the prospect of meeting her in heaven and thanking her for the amazing testimony her life had been.

Tucker and Meredith, who orchestrate and co-organize a number of these PIC events, are themselves parents of three, two of whom are homeschooled and seriously allergic to food ingredients present virtually in every item on a supermarket’s shelf. But busy as they are, they are not slack in the quality of their ministry. Quite the contrary, whatever they do, they put their heart and soul into it, knowing the Lord deserves their very best. In addition to his involvement at PIC, Tucker volunteers at ITMI’s Bread of Life Ministries, and once a year at Wheels for the World with Joni and Friends, an organization distributing wheelchairs to the Polish disabled. He also serves as a back-up preacher at PIC. Tucker’s sermons are always polished to a high gloss, with every reference in place. And if you had chanced to drop in on their Valentine’s Dinner event, you would know that Meredith’s desserts always come in style, down to the fresh mint leaf crowning the luscious apple pie.

The Bible says: “One man gives freely, yet gains even more...” (Prov 11: 24a), and truly, the Boone’s lavish generosity in investing themselves in other people’s lives has its effect in healthy spiritual growth of the Christians within their circle of influence. Pray that God will continue to use those Christians as they testify to the non-believers in their vicinity, so that the city of Poznan will become transformed beyond recognition by the gospel of truth. Thank God for this family, which supports and encourages the student missionaries in their daily strivings. Please lift them up in prayer and ask God to bless them with His special care – that their potential may continue to flourish, as well.

NOTE: Tessa’s name has been changed.

by Carolyn Zaremba, Poznan Poland