Poland

Country
The name “Polska” (Poland) means “land of the fields”, and probably best describes the flat expanse of the North European plain that extends from Germany across Poland to Ukraine. Poland’s location and flat terrain made it vulnerable, and therefore the country’s history is one of invasions and partitions. At times it has been dominated by Prussia, Russia, Germany and the Soviet Union. This history of the country speaks of struggle for freedom, identity and independence.

People/Society
The Polish people are proud of their cultural heritage and their ability to survive hardships, war and subordination to other nations. Because they could not rely on the help of others during hard times, the Polish value self-reliance, practicality and individualism. Great emphasis is placed on the family and tradition. In their society, generosity and willingness to share are highly valued.

Religion
Of the total population of 38.6 million, an overwhelming majority (around 95 percent) belongs to the Roman Catholic Church, although only about 75 percent consider themselves practicing Catholics. The Catholic Church in Poland has had a unique nationalistic and patriotic role. It stood up for the causes of the people, and since it was a strong and unified entity, it played an important political role as well. A small percentage of the people belong to other Christian faiths: Protestant, Russian Orthodox and Uniate congregations.

History and the Church Today
The ministry of the Church of the Nazarene was officially started in the city of Poznan in 2002 by Carolyn White, a Nazarene university teacher, who had lived in Poznan for several years, and Karen van Gilder, a volunteer worker for the church. In 2003, they were joined by another volunteer couple - Colin and Tanya McConkey. The volunteers taught Alpha courses, English classes, Bible studies, and got involved with student ministries and NCM projects. In October 2003, two large apartments were purchased in central Poznan. The ground floor became the new ministry center. Weekly worship services were started in Poznan in October 2005 and also a weekly Bible study/small group.
In June 2004, Dawid and Simona Berdowski, graduates from EuNC, moved to Gdansk and began the ministry of planting a church in that city. A ministry center was purchased and work was begun at a school, for students with learning or emotional issues who have been ordered by the court to live and study at this school. The center also held a shoe project through NCM, buying a pair of new shoes for each of the students in the school.
Weekly worship breakfasts will be launched soon.

Other countries in the Northern Europe Field: Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.