Poland Update #5

Celebration!  
“Soft” opening of Sweet Surrender in Krakow, Poland!

Krakow Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop

Sweet Surrender opened its doors in Krakow last Saturday night for a party for the people of Krakow, Poland. This is the day the Partners have been praying for and giving sacrificially to over recent weeks. Because some official inspections are yet to be completed, we cannot call this an official opening yet. But you can see from the pictures below that the event was a rousing success.

We’re sharing two first-person accounts of the weekend’s two primary events. The first is from volunteer Katie Fitch. The second is from volunteer Dr. Dennis Johnson.

First, Katie Fitch:

“Hi!

Katie Fitch

We had a great opening weekend!!! We had about 200 people Saturday night for the opening. The shop was so packed we could not fit anyone else in! Brian & reGENERATION came down from Poznan and did an amazing concert for us. …

Today we did a combined service with reGENERATION. There were about 60 people here. Dennis preached a great message about the prodigal son and the character of God. People were moved. And we had great fellowship afterward.

The best thing for me this weekend was to see the families of the church. They were so blessed by the opening and the service. During the opening and the service you could feel the presence of the Spirit. I don't think we could have had a more perfect weekend.

Thanks for all of the prayers!

Katie R. Fitch”

Thank you, Katie, for this glowing report of the work God is doing in Krakow. We are grateful to you for the hours you have given in order to make this spiritual vision a reality. We hope that all our volunteers in the future have your drive and commitment to do God’s will. You are a great blessing!

Second, Dr. Dennis Johnson:

“Good evening,

Dennis Johnson

An estimate of nearly 200 people, jammed together, filling every available space in Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop was the culmination of months of planning and preparation and a final week of intense work that led to this grand opening event last Saturday. An actual head-count was impossible, and the celebration with Brian Fentress and reGENERATION Gospel Choir resulted in a weekend attendance far beyond our expectations.

Sunday morning sixty people gathered for worship. Members of Krakow Church of the Nazarene were involved in every part of the service as Brian Fentress and reGENERATION led in praise and worship. Several of those attending said they would be returning next Sunday.  We have planned a spaghetti dinner following the service and expect to have a great time of fellowship.  Church members will be speaking and leading the services for the next four weeks, and we will plan a special Easter Sunday celebration. 

There have been several requests for meetings in the Coffee Shop by a variety of groups.  We're expecting great days ahead! With the participation of the church members, the Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop (and church) was dedicated as a place where the presence of the Lord would be evident:  a place of peace, love, grace, hope and joy. 

Take care,

Dennis”

Thank you, Dennis and Jamie, for the blessing of your service to our new ministry in Krakow! Your willingness to give months of your hard-earned retirement years to mentor the development of this new work is a standard for those who will follow you. Your encouragement, your personal hard work, and your optimistic and fruitful ministry are laying a solid foundation in Christ Jesus in Krakow. We look forward to more news of all that God is beginning to do in this ministry.

Our special thanks go to all of you, our Partners. You prayed and God has answered. You saw the need and you gave. You trusted God on our behalf, and He has answered resoundingly.

We will continue to share what God is doing as He leads us in future days. For now, enjoy the activities of the weekend vicariously through pictures that Katie and Dennis have sent.

We pray God’s rich blessings on you all and offer grateful praise for your faithful prayers! Continue to pray for the final official approvals for the shop’s official opening for regular business.

Saturday Night Opening Party

Sunday Worship

Poland Update #4

Historic Day for Nazarene Missions in Poland!

Sunday, March 6, 2011, was an historic “first” in Nazarene Missions in Poland. The first families to become members of the Church or the Nazarene live in Krakow, Poland, the location of the newest Sweet Surrender Coffee House ministry center. Here is the report as given by Dr. Dennis Johnson, volunteer serving in Krakow:

“Sunday was an historic day as we received the First Members into the birthing Polish Church of the Nazarene--thirteen new members!  As is the practice in other parts of Europe, children were received with their parents. Over our first few weeks here, I had taught the membership material, anticipating this day of celebration. Ev and Rhonda Tustin were with us for the week-end, joined in the worship/celebration.”

For our Poland Partners, these are sweet words that mark what God has been doing in Poland as our work grows. Here is a picture of the three families along with missionaries Ev and Rhonda Tustin and Volunteers Dennis and Jamie Johnson.

With all our hearts, welcome to the Church of the Nazarene: Maciej, Barbara, Kacper, and Emilia; Izabela, Slawomir, Kamila, and Sebastian; Jaroslaw, Agnieszka, Eliza, Jonatan, and Luiza! May you know the grace and peace of the One who loves us all!

March 19, 2011.

Krakow Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop Grand Opening! 

As of this writing, the opening date for the Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop ministry center will be March 19, 2011. This has been made possible by the generous responses of our Partners, both in their prayers and in their giving of the funds necessary to complete the project. We now turn our attention in prayer to all that God wants to do through this creative ministry. Let us join in prayer for the worship services and the outreach efforts of this ministry. Here are some pictures of the finishing work and the fixtures your gifts have made possible.

Kitchen area

Serving bar

Dishwasher in progress

We are all excited about the Grand Opening of Sweet Surrender Coffee House on March 19, 2011. We hope to have pictures and descriptions and a report of this grand event. This week our challenges are:

     completion of the complex official paperwork necessary
     completion of the shop itself
     the Grand Opening event.

Poznan Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop Faces Problems!
(Good Ones!)

One of the challenging aspects of serving God is that when you pray for His help and blessings on a ministry, He gives you what you ask. And that generates new kinds of problems. They are good problems, but they are challenging and we need to join with the Tustins and Volunteers in Poznan that they will be able to cope with what is happening. Here is a communication from Rhonda Tustin to Field Strategy Coordinator Rev. Philip McAlister on March 3:

 “Good morning,

It is very early here in Poznan, Poland. I wanted to write and tell you about last night’s happenings. The Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop sponsored last night the third worship service off campus and away from the shop. It was held at the Sheraton Hotel here in town.

We are honestly SHOCKED that OVER 160 people attended this worship service. The room was packed and people were standing because we ran out of chairs. The Holy Spirit came on that room and people were moved by the word of God.

After the service, we held an after-party at the coffee shop. Over one hundred people came to be part of that time as well. I was approached by a young woman who asked if I would pray with her. After twice attempting suicide and an addiction to drugs, she was looking for the answer. She prayed to accept Christ, and she is a new creation!*

Something BIG is happening in Poland. After praying about this, we feel that if we had the ability to rent a bigger facility we would have the makings of a large congregation here. We KNOW that this is a time when finances are low for the Nazarene Church, and yet we see that God is pouring out his spirit on Poland just now and reaching into the lives of young people, calling them. So, we are calling on God and asking him to send the way to do this. His storehouse is full and we know He has a way to do this! We need a way to meet together regularly. Will you pray with us?

Today we drive to Krakow, where the church also has had a promising start. God is moving in Poland. We could never have predicted that this could happen in such a short time in Poland. We wanted to share the good news with you.

Rhonda”


*In the next Poland Update we will publish this young woman's testimony!

Here is a short video of the third Outreach Event in Poznan:

Don't you wish you could have been there?

Prayer Needs

Please join us in focused prayer for the Poland ministry!
God will help solve the practical problems of His ministry, but we need to join together of one mind and trust Him for solutions! Let’s pray in a focused way in the following ways:

*Pray for the continued effectiveness of ministry outreach events and worship services.

*Pray for a suitable location for outreach and worship that will house this growing ministry.

*Pray for the necessary funds to meet this need.
*Pray for official paperwork approvals for Krakow Shop--they are necessary for opening.
*Pray for the Grand Opening of the Shop in Krakow on March 19.

Practical Suggestions to Support Poland Ministry

1. Pray that God will continue to pour out His Spirit on the ministry.

2. Sponsor an outreach event. (The cost is several hundred dollars for each event.)

3. Join with others who have decided to give a specific amount to this ministry monthly. This would help the ministry know how to plan as they search for a more adequate worship location.

4. Reach out to prospective “Poland Partners” or others who would be interested in supporting this ministry. 

Instructions for sending funds are found below, at the bottom of this blog page.

Poland Update #3

1. Miracle Offering is happening!

                It’s true: when God’s people pray, He answers! Thank you, Partners, for praying for the significant financial needs of the Krakow Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop so that it can be completed and opened for outreach.

                It was not long after our request for prayer for the still-needed appliances, the finishing work, and the legal fees that people began to respond: generous financial gifts were on their way. Praise God and thank you to everyone who is helping meet this need. Through your prayers and gifts the miracle is happening. It looks as if we are assured of what is needed to finish the shop and open it for business. We are already holding services in it.

Dr. Dennis Johnson Preaching in new shop

2. Shop Progress.

              As the funds are arriving, we are purchasing and installing the last of the appliances. Finishing work with the electric and plumbing is taking place even now. Here are some pictures in the kitchen, the pantry, the front coffee bar area, and the public restroom area.

Kitchen area

Coffee Bar area

Pantry with new Fridge!

Client Bathroom

3. Volunteers have arrived and are on the job.

Katie, Emily, Jamie, Dennis

                Katie Fitch has moved to Krakow from her volunteer position in Poznan to run the coffee shop. Emily Allred has arrived and will work with children and in the coffee shop. Josh and Paige Stines have just arrived from Tennessee. Pastors Dennis and Jamie Johnson have arrived for the first half of their six month commitment to work with the ministry development team as they lay plans to open Bible studies, hold outreach events, and begin worship services. They are all a part of the foundation of this work as God begins His work through the Nazarene Church in Krakow.

Josh and Paige

4. Inquiries about regular giving to Poland ministries.

Several of our Partners have asked if they could give monthly to this ministry. We are grateful for everyone’s help and, yes, this can be done. It is through the same way as larger one time gifts are given either through the local church or directly to Nazarene WEC, the General Treasurer’s Office. It is crucial that any funds for the ministry in Poland be clearly marked for Poland ministry. If not clearly designated, the funds may simply go to the general funds of the Church and not specifically to Poland Nazarene Missions.

5. Meanwhile, back in Poznan…

Poznan fellowship after service

            A video of the second worship service is on Facebook with lots of pictures of the after party and the service itself. Almost 100 people attended the service, and afterwards the shop was jammed with people having great fellowship. Thank the Lord.

           The Poznan shop is hosting a series of film production workshops by Monika beginning next weekend, a concert on the 25th, and another outreach service on March 2.

6. Prayer needs.  Please join us in a focused prayer…

* for the logistics that remain as we complete the Krakow shop and open it for ministry outreach. Focus on finishing the installation of the new equipment, completing the plumbing, electric, carpentry, and painting, and completing the complicated legal work.

* in thanking God for the generous gifts of support that are now flowing through the pipeline and are making this all possible.

* for the shop opening, perhaps in mid-March. This push to finish the shop and open for business will put tremendous strain on limited human resources, but God is able to give strength for the task.

Katie Fitch Fundraising Idea!

We recently received an email from Katie Fitch, Poland Nazarene Mission volunteer who is on her second "tour of duty". Katy has been a significant part of the volunteer team in Poznan and has now taken the challenge of moving to Krakow to assist with this new work there.

Here is her short, to the point, message:

"Hi All! We are trying to raise funds to finish the Krakow shop! If you are interested we would love to have any church or individual participate as possible!"

Katie R. Fitch

Katie R. Fitch

Here is her idea if you would like to participate. If you would like an image of the following graphic to use in a fundraising campaign, send a note to polandnaz@gmail.com and we will immediately send these along to you. Thanks to Katie for her initiative and Helka's artistry.

Poland Update #2

Poland Partners Update #2

How you can be a part of the miracle of the birth of the church in Krakow, Poland?

1.         Pray specifically, in a focused way, for God’s help to complete the Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop!

2.         Take on the challenge of contributing sacrificially for one or more of the needs listed below!

3.         Challenge your Church or Sunday School class or your Bible Study to take on one or more of the items on the needs list below!

4.         Forward information about these needs to your friends who may have resources and would love to be a part of this miracle!

5.         Join the Katie Fitch challenge to give at least the equivalent of two cups of gourmet coffee (about $5.00 each) to support the miracle. (More information on this challenge coming soon on another blog on this site.)

Sweet Surrender Coffee House

Remember that Sweet Surrender Coffee House is the way in which this ministry reaches out to the community in order to share Christ. The shop is the first step to build Bible study groups and eventually to organize a new Church of the Nazarene.

Already in place is the nucleus of three families, natives of Poland. They are prepared to minister to the community and to organize a new Church of the Nazarene when the people are ready. Also in place are several volunteers who are ready to assist in opening and running the shop and to participate in helping to develop the new faith community. First, we need the Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop to open!

The financial needs for this miracle to take place are:

1.         Labor Costs. Funds to pay for labor expenses to finish

Plumbing fixture awaiting installation

the coffee bar                                        $  600.00

kitchen electrical service                         $  400,00

bathroom electrical service                     $  300.00

backsplash for kitchen area                     $  300.00

plumbing                                               $  400.00

Total.                                                   $2000.00.

Kitchen area in process

2.         Equipment Costs. Funds to pay for equipment needed in order to open the shop.

            Fridge/freezer for kitchen -                     $1400.00

Industrial dishwasher -                           $2400.00

Glass display cabinet for coffee bar -       $2000.00 --$3000.00 (used/new)

Lighting in kitchen -                                $400.00

Misc. pots, pans, dishes cups -                $500.00

Cash register -                                       $600.00

3.         Legal costs:                                         $3000.00

If you or your group would like to take on one or more of these specific challenges and make the miracle happen, please let us know at polandnaz@gmail.com so that the missionaries will know how to plan effectively.

Instructions for how to send financial support may be found at the bottom of this blog’s home page.

Our greatest need right now is prayer!

POZNAN MINISTRY:

Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop Poznan and ministry staff:

Helka

• With illnesses and injuries and reassignments, we suddenly need to train 3 new staff.
• Our volunteers need strength while the new staff comes up to speed.
• Helka, Poznan’s Sweet Surrender’s 24-year-old manager, desperately needs healing and health; she is facing dialysis, and she’s a critical person in our ministry.

January 22 is our second outreach service for ministry and assimilation of people reached!

KRAKOW MINISTRY:

Worship services have begun in Krakow, with 19 present last week! Pray for God’s blessing of funding and leadership for this church plant.

The beautiful new Sweet Surrender Coffee Shop and new ministry staff in Krakow are facing big challenges:

• The coffee shop needs to be completed so it can open for business. We need $10,000.00 in the next few weeks because of additional legal requirements, needed equipment, and shop purchases. We have paid roughly 20% of the total purchase price to date.
• Volunteers Katie Fitch and Emily Allred have just moved to Krakow this month to take up their duties.

PERSONAL

:

Pray for us (Ev and Rhonda) as we lead this creative ministry in Poland: we need strength, creative leadership, spiritual guidance as the Nazarene Church grows in Poland.

Tuesday morning I lay in bed looking to the digital clock, 4:32 a.m., all was dark and quiet. The thought came to my mind was that as long as it stayed dark and quiet, our daughter Autumn would not have to leave for her flight back to the US that morning. Of course, that is not how life unfolds. The sun rose, we took her to the airport, and today she is back at school in Nampa. We greatly miss her, as well as our daughter Ariel, son-in-law Justin, the new granddaughters, and the rest of our family.

PRACTICAL STEPS TO TAKE

:

· Pray for these needs each day.

· Participate in financial needs through giving as God leads for this ministry.

· Be aware of people you know who have gifts, abilities, and resources to become a part of this ministry partnership.