Mateusz Polkowski is a young adult leader in his church in Poland.
When did you trust Christ?
I was born and raised in a Catholic family. We attended church every Sunday. But God was not at the centre of the family, and I was not a believer. I felt in my heart that God loved me because I was a good person—that I could do whatever I wanted, and I would still go to heaven. Everything changed when my parents sent me to an English summer camp hosted by a Baptist church from Gdansk. At first, I was sceptical, but after a couple of days at camp, I started to ask questions. I wanted to get to know more about God. I realised that I was a sinner. I learned what Jesus had done for me, and after the summer camp, I was saved. Understanding God's grace was the most crucial part of changing my life.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
From the day of my conversion, I started living for God, reading His Word, and spending time in prayer. My family wasn't happy that I was attending a Baptist church. My parents felt like they had failed in raising me as a good Catholic. It was a challenging time for me, but God gave me the strength to be a witness to His love and mercy. When I was baptised, I invited my family to the Baptist church. That was their very first time in a Protestant church. God moved their hearts, and after I was baptised, they started to attend a Bible study group in the Baptist church! God has given me strength and love in every moment as a Christian. Now, I am a husband and a father. My wife and I serve in the church as youth leaders and want to serve more daily.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
Participation in previous Forums has equipped me with valuable tools for working with young couples and non-believers. Thanks to the knowledge I gained at ELF, I am able to serve more effectively in the local community. The tools I have been equipped with allow me to lead people to Christ and are widely applicable in my ministry.
What is your ministry?
In my church in Gdańsk, I am involved in the children's ministry, serving in Sunday school, and I work with young married couples. I am also one of the leaders of a group for families with young children. My wife and I strive to serve those outside the church and bring them to Christ.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I previously served in youth ministry at the Baptist Church in Malbork. I also served food to homeless people.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
I spend a lot of time with young people, especially in the church. I would like to serve the teenagers from our neighbourhood better and more effectively.
