Reconstruction and Rebirth: Church revitalization in Poland

The dust of reconstruction hung in the air, and voices echoed off the bare walls as Pastor Robert showed off the progress made on the revitalization of the 166-year-old building.  

The small group of visitors, Converge global workers based a couple hours south in Poznań, shuffled through the space. Robert’s excitement was obvious as he explained the potential this building held. 

It is rare for an evangelical church to own a building in Poland and even more so to have one of this size and prominence. Originally built in 1855 by the German Baptist Church, it sat dormant and decaying for decades before this project began.  

So much had been accomplished, and there was so much yet to be done. 

Near the end of the tour, the group paused in a section of the sanctuary balcony where some light from the cloudy day spilled through one of the many tall windows. Robert stood near the window and explained to the camera what he saw there that the others did not.  

He listed many things, but he emphasized his desire to have Converge workers join him and the need for leaders to be developed to better serve the church. 

A year later, the same workers returned to Szczecin, but this time it was a beautiful fall morning, and Lemuel and Brittany Martinez came with them.  

Lemuel and Brittany Martinez were visiting Szczecin on a vision trip. As Pastor Robert showed them around the city, the group dreamed together about how God could work in this church and city.  

When the Martinezes returned home, they brought with them renewed energy to develop partners and urgency to join Pastor Robert in his work.  

Global workers: Lemuel & Brittany Martinez

Now, just a year and a half into their lives in Szczecin, Lemuel and Brittany are amazed at the many ways God has used the building, leaders, and the people of the church to draw people nearer.  

After the restoration of the building received an award from the Polish government, Pastor Robert has shared the gospel with passing tours.  

Learn more about the Szczecin Evangelical Ministry Center Project 

So many new people came to the church that a new youth group was established, where teenagers had a place to experience the gospel and take new steps of faith. 

Of their partnership with Pastor Robert, Brittany said, “Robert is a great leader. He's so knowledgeable, and he gets so many things done in the church, but at the same time, he's always praising the people around him.” 

People in the church have been empowered to take on leadership in new ways. One woman, whose heart broke for women in her community experiencing abuse, has taken on the challenge of caring for those women. 

Under Lemuel and Brittany’s leadership, a community of internationals has become a place of belonging both for English speakers and Poles hungry to study scripture. Couples like Sebastian and Gosia have found a way to practice their faith together as a family and have led the way in deepening relationships within the group.  

See Sebastian and Gosia’s Story: From Isolation to Connection 

Robert expressed, “For me as a pastor, it's great to see this kind of grassroots movements, that people just discover their giftedness and decide what ministry they should be involved with to just glorify God through their lives and ministries.” 

After years of work to remodel an old church building and prepare the way for Converge workers to join his team in Szczecin, Poland, God is making Pastor Robert’s vision a reality as he seeks to raise up leaders and equip his congregation to share the gospel in their communities.  

Just a year after the official grand re-opening, the church community has had numerous opportunities to engage with people because of this effort––interested tour guides asking about the historic building, Poles wondering what makes this church different from the rest they know, teenagers questioning their lives and purpose, foreigners finding Christ-centered community, and church members seeking greater involvement in ministries in and outside of the church. 

This is the story of a church revitalized along with its building.