Wiesław Chałupnik is on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ International in Poland.
When did you trust Christ?
I had always been looking for ways to be close to God, so as a Roman Catholic, I was a very pious boy. In the 80s, I was a university student in Kraków, and one of the students invited me to a Bible study where I started to better understand Christian truths. Then one of the group leaders shared with me a booklet that very clearly explained the need to make a personal decision about Jesus. I was very excited about this, so I asked Jesus to be my Saviour and Lord.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
After trusting in Jesus, I became passionate about studying the Bible even more and attended all the Christian conferences. I was eventually invited to join Campus Crusade for Christ (in the communist times, it was an underground organisation in Poland). Although it seemed completely unreal, God helped to fulfil my dream of studying at a good American seminary, where I was able to observe godly models in my professors. Later, in 2016, I faced a faith-testing situation: cancer. However, I saw God's goodness throughout the whole process, as well as through other life-threatening situations I've faced. I know that even though I'll lose my life on earth someday, I'll be with Him forever.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I want to develop as a Christian leader in different areas (e.g., communication and helping others to be more effective as Christian leaders). I want to learn from other Christian leaders about challenges in the present world and how to deal with them.
What is your ministry?
My ministry is Campus Crusade for Christ International - Poland. I am also teaching courses on the Old Testament, Bible Study Methods for Christian Leaders, and Biblical Hermeneutics for pastors and Christian Leaders. I have finished writing my PHD dissertation, and I am waiting for the third review and for the final exam and the defence.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
In 1989-1995 I was in charge of training new CCCI staff in Czechoslovakia and then in Poland. After graduating from DTS in Dallas, I was in charge of the CCCI Institute of Biblical Studies from 2000-2013.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
In Poland, there is a big need for Christian leaders to learn how to study the Scriptures and how to properly interpret them. We do not have a culture of reading and studying the Scriptures. Investing in my ministry can help in this area.
