Seven Youth from Poland Coming Your Way
To celebrate a new 3-way partnership in missions, seven youth from the Evangelical-Reformed Church in Poland will visit the US in July and August. Their travels are jointly supported by the PC USA Synod of the Covenant, and by Global Ministries, a combined international witness of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church / Disciples of Christ. These contributions, camp scholarships, and their own fundraising have made possible a trip of a life-time.
To celebrate a new 3-way partnership in missions, seven youth from the Evangelical-Reformed Church in Poland will visit the US in July and August. Their travels are jointly supported by the PC USA Synod of the Covenant, and by Global Ministries, a combined international witness of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church / Disciples of Christ. These contributions, camp scholarships, and their own fundraising have made possible a trip of a life-time.
The 7 youth, ages 15-18, will attend two church camps (Pennsylvania and Iowa), be hosted by congregations in New York, Iowa, and Illinois, participate in a 3-day urban mission outreach, and attend the General Assembly of the Disciples of Christ in Indianapolis.
“This opportunity will help broaden our ideas about church and deepen our faith,” says Pastor Semko Koroza of the Łódż congregation in Poland. “The youth are coming from a minority and diaspora church in Poland. Being with youth from US congregations will help them recognize that they are a part of the Church Universal—not so alone. This recognition travels both ways.”
Rev. Koroza, Global Ministries’ international guest from Europe at the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis, IN July 29-August 2, accompanies the group. The youth will participate in GA youth events and a pre-General Assembly mission outreach.
“Every one in the group has a great contribution to make wherever they go… They’ve even prepared a kind of avant-garde mimed skit about faith to present upon request,” says mission co-worker Elizabeth Searles.
“Building relationships and deepening faith is what our partnership is all about,” says Douglas Searles. “The journey of these seven youth is a big step forward in our walk with the Evangelical-Reformed Church in Poland as mission co-workers.”
In 2008, Douglas and Elizabeth Searles were commissioned to serve a three-year term in Poland, jointly appointed by Global Ministries (UCC/DOC) and by the PC USA. They live in Łódż, Poland, southwest of Warsaw. Their work is to support the denomination’s congregations in music ministry, small group development, ESL teaching, Bible Study, youth camps, and related outreach.
To learn more or participate in this ministry, please see http://globalministries.org/mee/countries/poland/
Liz and Doug Searles
Lodz, PL
Doug and Elizabeth Searles serve with the Evangelical Reformed Church in Poland. They serve as mission workers for church growth and outreach.