Mateusz Aftanas is a church elder and preacher in Poland.
When did you trust Christ?
For as long as I can remember, my father told me about God, faith, and the love that Jesus shows us. Amid growing up in a broken family, faith and prayer became the foundation of my life. I have never doubted that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
My attitude in church definitely changed as a teenager when I started to apply sermons in my life. However, the most pivotal moment in my journey came from the influence of my Pastor when I moved to Warsaw. He inspired me and encouraged me to take responsibility for our church and the people around me. If God hadn’t brought him into my life, it would have taken me longer to become so deeply involved in serving the Church.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
Because of the Forum, I have begun to consider pastoral and preaching ministry. I speak more often with elder brothers in the faith and seek to grow in pastoral care. I also work on developing communication and the functioning of the church council so that it can care well for the congregation. Coming back, I would like to grow theologically and pastorally in order to better understand my role, develop my skills, and gain knowledge.
What is your ministry?
I have been serving on the church council for over a year as secretary. I regularly lead services and occasionally preach sermons. I also assist in organizing events and contribute with my skills in graphic and artistic work.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
In my home church, I helped lead youth meetings by occasionally sharing Bible reflections. After moving to Warsaw, I was involved in a student ministry for a time. Since then, my wife and I, along with another couple, started a Bible study in our district. Later, I helped launch another Bible study in a different district of Warsaw.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
The well-being of our church is close to my heart. For the past several years, I have dedicated as much time to ministry in the church as to my professional work. I have a strong desire to grow theologically and spiritually, as well as to expand my knowledge of wise church leadership. Attending the European Leadership Forum will allow me to deepen my knowledge and grow spiritually, which will certainly benefit our church and, in turn, new believers in our community.
