Photos: Church Leaders in Poland Trained to Share God’s Hope in Crisis

by Claisse Tame   •  

From opening their church doors, volunteering in relief centers, and welcoming refugee families into their homes – people in Poland have been gracious and selfless in helping those in need. That’s why the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team have provided a three-day ‘God’s Hope in Crisis’ course to pastors and church leaders in Poland. Earlier this summer, Polish church leaders received training in their mother tongue on how to provide emotional and spiritual support with those suffering. Ukrainian pastors also received the same training in their native language.

More than 200,000 refugees from Ukraine are living in Poland’s capital city, Warsaw.
More than 200,000 refugees from Ukraine are living in Poland’s capital city, Warsaw.
The training began with prayers and a time for worship and praise.
The training began with prayers and a time for worship and praise.
Holly Lafont, assistant manager of the Canadian Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, delivered the training alongside a Polish translator.
Holly Lafont, assistant manager of the Canadian Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, delivered the training alongside a Polish translator.
The three-day ‘Train the Trainer’ seminar not only equips church leaders with practical skills for their ministry, but also how to teach the course to others.
The three-day ‘Train the Trainer’ seminar not only equips church leaders with practical skills for their ministry, but also how to teach the course to others.
The free training has met a need of a community that’s standing in the spiritual frontlines, offering the comfort of God to those impacted by the war, and carrying Christ into a hurting community.
The free training has met a need of a community that’s standing in the spiritual frontlines, offering the comfort of God to those impacted by the war, and carrying Christ into a hurting community.
The course for Polish church leaders and pastors ran from July 5 to 7.
The course for Polish church leaders and pastors ran from July 5 to 7.
Andrew Stephanow (middle) works five days a week at a refugee relief center in Poland. “This training will be beneficial for the time I spend at the refugee centers,” he said. “It will improve and stabilize the knowledge I have on how to respond to those in trauma, which is so needed.”
Andrew Stephanow (middle) works five days a week at a refugee relief center in Poland. “This training will be beneficial for the time I spend at the refugee centers,” he said. “It will improve and stabilize the knowledge I have on how to respond to those in trauma, which is so needed.”
“What I have learnt on this training will help me bring Ukrainians hope during this difficult time, it will point them back to God,” said Jerzy Rogaczewski, leader of the Baptist Church in Katowice.
“What I have learnt on this training will help me bring Ukrainians hope during this difficult time, it will point them back to God,” said Jerzy Rogaczewski, leader of the Baptist Church in Katowice.