Joel Spence's Call to Krakow, Poland (VIDEO)
Growing up as the son of a pastor, MTW missionary Joel Spence initially felt intimidated by the idea of becoming a pastor himself. Instead, he joined the military and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. During his military service Joel led some Bible studies and fellow soldiers encouraged him to consider a calling in ministry. God led him to pursue seminary and ordination, and grew Joel’s passion for the mission field. After gaining some experience pastoring in the U.S., he felt ready to serve overseas.
Joel initially planned to go to Russia, but the pandemic and political tensions made that impossible. When the war in Ukraine began, Joel volunteered to help, and soon found himself in Krakow, Poland, working with a crisis team to evacuate Ukrainians.
While in Poland, Joel’s personal hunger for church fellowship and Bible study led him to start an English Bible study, though MTW didn’t have a ministry in Poland. But God’s path and timing is perfect. National pastors and MTW asked Joel to stay and serve in the local church and help open a new field for MTW. Watch as Joel tells his story and see how each step of his journey confirmed his calling to be where he is today.
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Publishing Reformed Theological Literature in Poland's Heart Language (VIDEO)
Much of Eastern Europe faces a theological famine, with few materials in their own language. A publishing house in Krakow is changing that.
SEE MOREWeaving a Team in Krakow From War-Torn Threads
After the Russian invasion, some believers unexpectedly found themselves serving in Poland, and are being used of God to grow His Church.
SEE MORECrates for Ukraine: The Next Season (VIDEO)
The global Church has worked together to collect, courier, and distribute crates full of aid to thousands in need. We're not done.
SEE MOREPray that believers in Poland would get theological materials they need in their heart language through a new publishing ministry.
Pray the newly formed denomination, the Presbyterian Church in Poland, and the establishment of a new multicultural, biblical, Reformed church in Krakow. Poland is a new field for MTW, borne out of the crisis in Ukraine.
Give thanks for and pray for MTW's ministry in Krakow, Poland. Thank God for the opportunity to open a field there.
Give thanks and pray for a couple in Japan who recently came to faith as they faced the last days of the husband's life.
Pray for those in Turkey continuing to rebuild from last year's earthquake, and for continuation of the spiritual growth seen as a result.
Pray for the pastors/national partners ministering in the Ukrainian church amid the ongoing war. Pray too for MTW missionaries who serve the church both in-country and from afar.
Pray for missionary women seeking to juggle ministry and family life in a cross-cultural setting.
Pray for the Roma people in Slovakia, that God would draw them to Himself, and grow the young body of believers there.
Give thanks for the aid given through Crates for Ukraine and pray that God would mobilize people to participate in the next iteration that has just launched. www.cratesforukraine.com
Pray for MTW's work in a part of eastern Norway considered to be the most secular region of the country. Pray as our missionaries and national partners seek seek to be salt and light, and to plant biblical, God-centered churches.
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