Poland Report
by Czarek Wojtasik SOC Field Worker
SOC ELBLAG
I know Pastor Witold Kantorek since many years. I was invited many times to preach in this church. Once we met in Warszawa at the Conference of Pentecostal Church, and Pastor was very interested to hear about School of Christ. I had a chance to talk with him about SOC, and at the beginning of 2010 I was invited to open SOC in this church in Elblag. I thank God for such a great attendance at SOC teaching. There were 35 Students attending, on every Saturday from 10:00 to 3:00.
I was invited again to come for the final graduation where we prayed over the Students and commended them into God's might hands. On the way for graduation, I experienced many road difficulties, and many detours. I chose that kind of detour that costed me 1.5 hour of being late, but Pastor Witold ensured me that they pray, sing and will be waiting until I arrive.
When I arrived at this church, I emphasized the importance of patience and trust on the way with God. We celebrated the graduation in Elblag, thanking God for His great wisdom.
SOC SLUBICE/PLONSK
On the 24th of May I received the invitation from Pastor of the Pentecostal Church in Slubice, to come for graduation at penitentiary in Slonsk. We had very good time, although the place was difficult. The authorities of the penitentiary allowed us to have the graduation there, because of the good work of the Christians there. We had the graduation in one of the penitentiary room, where we gave the Diploma to the students there. I was thinking about the reaction for SOC in such a place, knowing their past. But I know that God does not make a difference between the people. When I had a chance to share Gods word with them, I felt great interest and concentration of the listeners. I tried to explain them that Jesus died for all the people, not just for these who committed big sins, but what Isaiah says: Christ died for our sins no matter if they were big or small. The difference between us and the people in penitentiary is like this: that we were not caught, but they were.
Every man needs Christ, and his own justice before God is insignificant. The people were listening with understanding, and we could see in them Gods love. Unfortunately, we were not aloud to make pictures there, but the picture of the people changed by God will stay in in my heart forever.At the end I wanted to check if the message if SOC was understood by them and I was built up how very precised they were answering my questions. Praise God! WE were not surprised to see the tears of our new brothers from penitentiary. God made in these hearts real change.
SOC KIELCE
The church Przymierze in Kielce is a small group of Christians. In 2009 I visited this church for the first time, and my reaction was that it's really difficult place. After the church meeting I was talking about SOC and I had a feeling that I will have to cover a thorny road, to awake in the listeners the trust for SOC. The church members were distrustful and careful, really wounded by different teachings in the past and they wanted to be totally sure that SOC is the right proposition for them. I made a challenge. No one can pass a sentence until he first experience SOC. After 4 months I received the invitation to start SOC in their church. Praise God!
On the 10th of October 2010, I went for graduation to Kielce. I was so happy to see that it was totally different church there I cried in my heart! The people knew how to pray, there was joy and trust in their hearts totally different church from the one I knew when I went there for the first time.
Below there are testimonies of the students who attended SOC in Kielce:
Jacek Trelak
In 2009 together with my wife we visited our friends in Swinoujscie. Talking to our friends and to Bro. Sebastian Rutkowski we heard more about SOC. Listening to their testimonies and to other students who graduated from SOC in Swinoujscie, I was very encouraged and I desired to have SOC in our church.
The first SOC lessons we started on the 14 of March 2010 and from that time, every Saturday and Sunday we had SOC lessons. At the beginning we had 610 students, but SOC 6 people finished, who regularly attended SOC. During the 26 weeks we could experience Holy Spirit anointing. Many times we could not stop tears running while listening to God's Word. Holy Spirit was working in our hearts confronting our lives with God's word.
I can say from myself that I am a Christian since 18 years and during many years I was listening to many preachings, but today I know that what Bro. Clendennen was speaking is the proper teaching for the church. I believe that it is the only way to be effective disciple of Jesus Christ. The way to deny ourselves, the road of Cross, constant prayer and walk in the Holy Spirit. For me personally this SOC has also the other dimension. Since many years I want to serve God, but now fear of God fills my heart, because I know that there is no excuse for me. God changed my heart and I know that I have everything to fulfill this what God has called me to. I am so thankful to God and to these who encouraged me to attend SOC.
Bozena Janus
I am a Christian since 15 years. The teaching in SOC was not new for me, but I was listening with bated breath. The very important for me was that Bro. Clendennen was a great tool in God's hands and he did not shade the teaching of Jesus Christ himself. The name of this school is adequate for what it presents and brings closer Jesus as God and as a man.
In the present situation of the church, the teaching of SOC is invaluable. It clearly warns of imitation of Christianity, that draws people with the promise of easy life. We can understand the need of returning to the real Christianity for which we have to pay the big price....
I am so happy that my 15 years old daughter attended SOC and that at the beginning of her way with Jesus she had contact with the full and great teaching about Jesus Christ. I can say that it's worth organizing such schools and it's worth to sacrifice our time. I am sure that after finishing SOC there will be no one who will not know where he is before God and what steps he needs to take so that the life of Christ could be seen in his life.
Marcin Stepniewski
I thank God for such a tool as SOC, and for the privilege and grace that I could attend and finish it. I thank God for brothers and sisters, for the time we spent together and for God's presence in the time of prayer. I am happy I could get to know my Lord better., ...my responsibility for the people with whom I want to share Good news... the desire to follow Jesus example and the return to the example of the First church led by the Holy Spirit... SOC gave me the motivation, zeal for prayer, intercession, seeking God. After each lesson I was saying to myself, that I would loose so much if I would not be here, and if I would not listen to this! I was so happy to pray with others, ...we were gathered all together in one place, just as the first churchpraying and learning. Great testimonies from Bro. Clendennen. After the lessons, I was coming home and sharing with my wife this what really touched me, because she could not be there with me. I am sure that these messages will bring fruits and God's Word will do the work just as it's written that His Word is not coming back, until it does the work. It is a pity that this SOC has finished, but I know that now it really starts.
SOC POLKOWICE
Local SOC in Polkowice, was the first School in the Pentecostal Assembly. Most of the churches from this Community present legalistic godliness. The church in Polkowice is unique and open for working with other churches. At first, Pastor Bogdan Sokol sent his son Bartek to attend SOC in Warszawa (few years ago), and then he was so encouraged by his son and sister Brigitte Lusinski, that after reading some more materials, local SOC started in this church. The SOC went on for 16 meetings on Saturdays, and 37 people have finished it! Praise God!
Many young people finished SOC in Polkowice.
I would like to thank you All for the support for Poland!
May God bless SOC in everyplace in the whole world, and let the testimony of the Christiansand the power of God's Spirit will bring many people to our God and Savior Jesus Christ!
— Czarek Wojtasik
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