Anna Pazio is a church leader and podcast host in Poland.
When did you trust Christ?
I grew up in a Christian, church-planting family, and around the age of 13, God brought me to an understanding of His Gospel. I saw that I could either trust the sacrifice of Christ for my sin or turn the other way and walk away from Him. That’s when I believe I was saved. I was baptised at my church a year later.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
Having grown up in a Christian home and coming to faith relatively early, in my mid-teens, I started struggling with the assurance of salvation. As time passed, God taught me that my certainty does not lie in any particular moment—my certainty is in Christ, who is my righteousness. During my time at university, I struggled with doubt. During this time, I cried out to God more desperately than I had ever done, knowing that He had the answers despite all the assailing doubts. With time, I realised that I didn't need to 'work' my way to a knowledge of God. Throughout all this, God has proven Himself faithful amid my struggles and failures.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
Attending ELF would be an invaluable opportunity for someone like me, who is taking their first steps in the world of academics as a Christian. I would treasure the opportunity to learn from experienced believers how to address complex social issues best, deepen my theological knowledge and understanding of social sciences from a Christian perspective, and learn how to be a better leader in a small group or discipleship context. I would also very much appreciate the opportunity to form relationships and learn from people from different parts of the world.
What is your ministry?
I am currently involved in youth ministry at my church, where I regularly meet with a group of young girls to help them answer crucial questions about Christianity and apologetics. In addition to this involvement, I contribute to the 'Belonging to Jesus' blogging platform, which also produces video materials. Since my PhD research centres on sociology, I have had opportunities to speak at Christian conferences and events about Christian approaches to various social issues. Along with a friend and fellow podcast creator, we are writing an introductory book about contemporary social challenges from a Christian perspective. We hope the book may encourage believers to live out their Christian callings, as well as deepen their understanding of the ideas shaping our world.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I have been an active member of my church for a number of years, playing an involved role in coordinating the music ministry and providing translation for English speakers in attendance. In recent years, I’ve also served as a leader at camps for young adults.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
The Lord has provided me with a unique opportunity to share with fellow believers about Christian perspectives on social issues. These topics are rarely addressed within the Polish evangelical world, but they are becoming increasingly important in Poland's secular society. I would like to use this platform to serve and equip young people not to be afraid, to be bold witnesses for Christ, and to be aware of the challenges around them and the temptations for the church in a changing world.
