Marzena Horyza is involved in the Evangelical art world of Poland.
When did you trust Christ?
In my youth, I met a Christian family that changed my way of thinking. I felt deeply unhappy with my life as a sinner. At one point, the thought occurred to me to turn to God, in whom these people believed. God's Spirit was working, and in an instant, I understood that I wasn't speaking to a void, that my words weren't falling into nothingness, but that I was in the presence of God. I understood that He truly existed, and moreover, He was beside me, listening to me with favour. I told Him about my life, about the emptiness, the loneliness, the hopelessness, all the bad things in me and around me. And I knew that He listened, forgave, hugged, comforted, and surrounded me with His care. Then everything changed. From that day on, I gained unshakable certainty that God exists, that He loves me, that Jesus died to save me, and that I would remain close to Him forever.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
The day after my first conversation with God, I told my believer friend at school about what happened. She then suggested we meet twice a week for 20 minutes before class to read a Bible passage and pray. These meetings became the foundation of my spiritual growth. We started meeting daily for half an hour, then an hour. More and more people in our class began to convert and join our meetings. After a few months, I joined a local Baptist church, which became like family to me. Everything I learned there in the first years after my conversion helped me become rooted in God and His Word.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I heard about ELF from some of my friends who attended ELF before. I'm interested in the topics of the lectures and seminars offered at ELF. I believe they will broaden my understanding and give me a new perspective and instruments useful in my ministry. At ELF, I'll meet new people involved in ministry, which will be inspiring.
What is your ministry?
My main ministry is involvement as the Secretary of SLOT, a local creative centre started by Christians involved in contemporary culture who want to experience and share the reality of Christ with the next generation. The organisation comes from different denominations, but we are united by a common vision, which is to establish a dialogue with the contemporary, secularised society of Poland and global culture, with an emphasis on the young generation. Using understandable language in today's culture, we want to respond to spiritual needs, presenting the message of Jesus in a clear and accessible way, as well as actively engage in various aspects of social life.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I have been a youth leader, member and leader of a worship band, and organiser of church evangelistic and pastoral events. Additionally, I was a co-founder and member of several evangelistic music bands, director of an art orchestra, and director of a European orchestra with evangelistic purposes. In addition to these things, I have been a principal of a high school operating based on Christian values.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
I need the support of other mature believers. Meeting other mature believers who understand the challenges this type of ministry presents would be a great help. ELF creates this kind of broad and diverse development environment for ministry leaders. The ministry in which God has placed me is crucial in reaching the secularised segment of today's young generation with the Gospel. The better prepared I am for it, the better I will be able to fulfill God's calling. I will pass on what I learn at ELF to my colleagues in ministry so that we can all benefit.
