CEE Story From The Mission Field
The World Mourns
May 4, 2005
By the millions they came from all corners of the world. Some flew, some caravanned, yet others made a pilgrimage lasting days. They stood in line for hours just to catch a glimpse. They wanted to — they had to--see the body of the Pope.
Expansive media coverage showed the world that Rome was a place of mourning for faithful disciples of Pope John Paul II as well as others who had been influenced or impressed by this man’s lifelong pursuit of unity, forgiveness, and love. However, Rome was not the only place that feels his absence. Hundreds of miles away his homeland of Poland mourned, and mourns still, with equal intensity and personal grief. The war siren blew for five minutes signifying a tragic event in the nation, flags were at half-staff, and in the streets of Poland, tens of thousands headed to the center of Warsaw where they gathered for mass to remember their native son.
ISC missionary Susan Reed watched on television that day and asked God to use this pivotal time of questioning and mourning as an opportunity to bring many of the nation’s Catholics into personal relationship with Him. Winning a nation of self proclaimed “Christians” to Christ is not an easy task. It is one that all IMB missionaries and their ministry partners know only God can do. As for Susan, she focuses on a ministry gathering she has on Tuesday nights — and during this time of mourning they appropriately focus on what the Bible says about death. This ministry, housed on the university campus not far from her apartment draws students by using English conversation as a means of discussion.
How can she effectively communicate that it is through Jesus, and not the church, that we have our salvation? How can the passion in her heart to see Poles won to Jesus Christ be so bright yet their response to the Gospel so shallow and guarded?
“I have fallen in love with these people, especially the young, searching hearts,” says Reed. “I pray that God will help them see His truth and light and will help peel back the layers of false doctrine.”
Poland, a country of 40 million people is 95 percent Catholic. To be Polish is to be Catholic. To most Poles, evangelical Christians are seen as a cult. Saying that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven is saying that many of the rites, ceremonies and worship practices of the Catholic Church are unnecessary. To claim that Jesus alone is the high priest surely cannot be right — to make such a claim is to turn away from the Catholic Church’s teachings. Yet, through all the false teaching and confusion, Jesus is indeed calling all peoples – even Polish Catholics-- into a relationship with himself through his Son Jesus.
Could God be calling you to reach out to Poles? “NOW is the time,” says Susan. “I honestly believe we have a unique opportunity to share the Gospel as never before. During this time of mourning for their spiritual leader, Poles will be searching for answers — the answer — Jesus.”
Will you join in on what God is doing in Poland? Contact us at hope4cee@pobox.com .