History
A “Christian” ruler who united Slavic groups between the Vistula
and Oder Rivers established the country of Poland in the tenth century.
But Poland was continually fought over for centuries by many nations. In
the 1800s, it was carved up and divided between Austria, Prussia and Russia.
Poland became a nation again in 1918 but was conquered by invading Nazi
forces in 1939. After World War II, Poland fell under Communist rule, but
Poles say that Communism in Poland was like a radish, “red on the
outside only.” In 1989, the Solidarity party led by Lech Walesa won
control of Poland and began taking on the immense task of rebuilding the
country. Poland now has a democratic system similar to America’s.
Two parliamentary houses, a president and prime minister, govern it.
Church
History
The Roman Catholic Church greatly influences everyday life in Poland. More
than three-fourths of Poles adhere to its doctrine. A mighty revival swept
through Poland in the early 1900s. Thousands of Poles were saved and by
1920 a large number of believers reported being baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Ferdinand and Margaret Ewald arrived in 1925 as the first Assemblies of
God missionaries to Poland. Evangelism continued through the efforts of
other missionaries and national pastors during the Nazi occupation. In 1947,
the United Evangelical Church of Poland was formed.
The
Movement Today
The Kosciol Zielonoswiatkowy (a Pentecostal denomination) emerged from the
United Evangelical Church of Poland, which was comprised of five Protestant
denominations during communism. It has three Bible schools with extension
programs training about 150 students and facilitates several ministries.
Assemblies of God workers labor alongside this Pentecostal Church and report
that about 300 ministers now serve approximately 20,000 members and adherents
in 191 churches and outstations. In addition, there is a church planting
school that is currently starting 12 new churches in southwest Poland.
Additional
Facts About Poland
Capital:
Warsaw
Area:
120,727 square miles
Population:
39 million
Government: Republic
Urbanization: 64%
Currency: Zloty
Education: Compulsory for ages 7-14; Literacy 99%
Agriculture:
Grain, potatoes, sugar beets, oil seeds and livestock
Industry: Shipbuilding, chemicals, metals, machinery and food processing |
