On October 1st, the city of Krakow, Poland, changed...

when 100,000 students entered the city overnight as the school year began.

And a small group of Christians, armed with the gospel and led by the Spirit, were waiting for them…

The first “Harvest Poland Project,” patterned after Hungary’s “Bringing in the Hungarian Harvest Project (BHHP),” partnered with the Krakow campus ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. Our group from America ranged in age from high school to retired. They included a church group from Greensville, SC, and others who came from Orlando, Atlanta, Denver and even Asia. Joining us were the campus staff and key students of our Krakow Campus Crusade ministry. Together we did creative outreaches with the goal to present culturally relevant presentations of the gospel to the college students of Krakow.

The most successful outreach we had was the “American Café.” We rented a party room on campus and using American candy, coffee (Starbucks!), music, photos, college and pro t-shirts and ball caps, we turned the room into a slice of Americana. The students poured in and it was easy to begin gospel conversations in this coffee shop atmosphere.

Here I am with two brothers, John (left), and Kris (right) who came to our American Cafe. Kris made a decision to place his faith in Jesus Christ during our time together in Krakow.

At the American Café, I met with two brothers, John and Kris. John had placed his faith in Jesus Christ through a Catholic renewal movement led by a monk (!) and was familiar with our ministry in Krakow. He wanted his older brother to hear the gospel and brought him to the American Café. I had the privilege to share the meaning of Christ’s death on the cross with Kris.

After sharing Christ with him, I invited Kris to respond personally by faith to Christ’s payment of our sin penalty. I told him, “Merely reciting a prayer doesn’t make anyone a Christian. But if this prayer (pointing to the one in the back of the “Four Spiritual Laws” booklet) expresses the desire of your heart, then I encourage you to use that prayer to express your new-found faith to Jesus. Kris, does this prayer express the desire of your heart?”

Kris answered a succinct, “Yes.” “Then why don’t you communicate this prayer back to the Lord?” I encouraged. And right there, in a room crowded with people and music thumping, Kris surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. What a moment!

Kris and I met the next day, my final day in Krakow, and we talked through Ephesians 2:8-9 and 1 John 5:11-13. When Kris realized that salvation was by faith in the Son of God, a free gift from God and not a result of works, I could see the light go on in his spirit. His posture straightened up and tears welled up in his eyes. .

Even Ted Nugent dropped by our American Café in Krakow for a brief cameo. I asked him if I could jam with him on stage but he said he regretfully left his guitar back in Michigan.

“But it takes more faith to embrace your atheism than to believe in my God.” Here I am sharing the gospel with two Polish students at the American Café. I had the impression that the one on the left wanted to argue more than discuss. He really was a nice guy and you can tell God is working on Him; after all he came that night wanting to talk about the Lord!

After my conversation with John and Kris ended and they left, I stood alone in the corner thrilled but emotionally exhausted. I didn’t have the energy to speak another word. Then my attention was called to two guys who had just walked in and were standing nervously all alone. I knew what the Lord wanted me to do.

I introduced myself to the guys and immediately one said, “What is the topic of discussion tonight?” “Anything you want to talk about,” I said. “Can we talk about God?” he asked. He immediately launched and began his series of arguments as to why he did not believe in God.

Patiently I responded with what I hope were satisfactory answers to his arguments while conceding that it is impossible to be 100% absolutely sure about God. “But it takes more faith to embrace your atheism than to believe in my God.” I also asked him why he was so intent on fighting against the God who loves him, created him and gave himself up for him. (Its one thing to speak of God’s love to the genuine seeker. Yet I have learned to confront and challenge, even with my tone of voice, those who unashamedly reject God.)

The American Café was closing but our conversation was still going strong. “Shall we go to another place and keep talking?” I asked, having gained a second wind. They declined but we exchanged emails. I think he wanted to argue more than discuss. But that is okay. It was a great evening. At least 3 people that night gave their lives to the Lord at the American Café!

Here I am (left) with Dr. Bill Weathers of Greenville, South Carolina (far right). Between us are some of the leaders of our Polish Campus Crusade ministry. Robert Kowalsky, Polish Director of Development (left), Mariusz Kwapisz, Country Director of Poland (middle), and Marek Wyrzykowski, one of Campus Crusade’s Eastern European Regional Directors (right). All of them are great guys and a pleasure to work with.

One of the obstacles our ministry in Poland faces is trust. Since we are not part of the 95% Catholic super majority (even though we work with Bible-believing elements within the Catholic church), many people assume right away that we are a cult. So we must work harder to earn trust and credibility. ** Speaking of cults, Jehovah Witnesses are the second largest “Christian” denomination in Poland, greatly outnumbering Baptist, of whom there are only 5000-6000 in the whole country.**At the American Café, us visiting Americans thought it would be great if the room was full of American in their 20s who could connect even better with the Polish college students. But our Polish staff said that while all ages are needed to share Christ in Krakow, a room full of gray heads (like me!) was good because Polish students do not know anyone who is older who has a vibrant faith in God. This current generation of Polish college students is the first to not be influenced by atheistic Communism.

In spite of its troubled history, Krakow is a beautiful city! Here is a pic from the old town square on a crisp sunny fall day.

Our work that week generated many conversations where students heard clear presentations of the gospel. Between all the outreaches we did, over 5000 received personal invitations to learn about a relationship with Christ; many responded back with an interest to know more. Our Krakow campus ministry will be doing the follow up. Thank you for praying. Please pray for the follow up of Kris and others with whom we made contact. And please plan on joining us next year!