Poland
History of Poland
Poland’s history dates back over 1000 years and is filled with wonders and horrors all the same. The Polish have held their kingdom for centuries in the midst of superpowers all around them, the Russians to the east, the Germans to the west, and the Austrians to the south. They have been a determined and stubborn people who have valiantly held their ground! In WWII, Poland was the site of many Nazi atrocities with the Nazi’s establishing many of their death camps on Polish soil so the German people would not be affected. Nazi camps such as Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen and others slaughtered thousands on Polish territory. Spiritually, Poland has always been staunchly Catholic. 97% of the people claim to be Catholic, in fact, to be Polish, is to be a Catholic! Still today, there is less than 1% biblical Christian within the nation and there is a mighty need for a move of church growth and church planting amongst the Polish cities, towns and villages.
- Full name: Republic of Poland
- Population: 38.2 million (via UN, 2006)
- Capital: Warsaw
- Area: 312,685 sq km (120,728 sq miles)
- Major language: Polish
- Major religion: Catholic
- Monetary unit: 1 zloty = 100 groszy
- Main exports: Machinery and transport equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals
- GNI per capita: US $7,100 (World Bank, 2006)
North Poland School: Tomasz, a long time friend of PI, and the pastor of the Polish Pentecostal Church of Gdansk, leads our Northern Polish school of ministry. He also serves as one of the primary leaders of the Polish Pentecostal denomination with over 220 churches nationwide. The school in Gdansk, led by Tomasz has 110 students from 25 cities and churches of North Poland.
West Poland School: PI also has started a new school in the West Polish city of Legnica. This school is led by Wieslaw Ziemba, and a wonderful team of pastors in various cities around Legnica. Weislaw has pastured, planted churches and today serves the nation through teaching, leadership, prayer and many other ministries. The West Poland school serves many churches and has approximately 70 students to date.
