Delegation’s Visit Coincides with Polish Mourning
A group of leaders from the Church of God in Florida recently arrived in Krakow, Poland. The visit came at the same time world leaders converged on the city to mourn the death of the Polish President and 90 state and civil leaders who were in a tragic airline crash recently.
U.S. President Obama, Russian President Medvedev, German President Koehler and French President Sarkozy were among world leaders and nearly 60 other Presidents on Sunday for the funeral of Polish President Lech Kaczynski. Polish news reported that one million people were expected to come to Krakow for the funeral. As I walked the streets of Krakow recently with Church of God Bishop Wojtek Wloch and visiting Kentucky Pastor Mark Hisle of Parkway Praise Center Church of God, Polish flags with black ribbons of mourning were everywhere, and hundreds of students visited a large memorial with flowers and candles which stands in front of the main cathedral in the Market Square.
Florida Administrative Bishop Martin Taylor and Missions Board Chairman Dwight Allen led a group of Florida pastors as part of a partnership initiative with the pioneer Churches of God in Poland. Just a few hours before the state funeral began in Krakow, Florida Church of God pastors were preaching in the pulpits of our churches in Krakow and other cities of Southern Poland.
Bishop Wloch states, “This is an unprecedented peace time loss of so many political and civil leaders, the nation is in a highly emotional state of mourning. Our fellow Church of God pastors are joining us in a time of great change which, amidst the tragedy, presents new opportunities for us to minister and witness for Christ.”
The Lord of the Harvest is also the King of Kings, who both lifts up and brings down authority. He sets times and seasons by His own authority and He empowers us to be His witnesses in every circumstance. He who orders our steps has ordained that as Poland experiences a radical shift through this tragedy and enters a new season, the State of Florida is standing with the Churches of God in Poland in Missions partnership.
Please pray for the Polish people, the visiting Florida leaders, and especially our churches as they minister grace and present the Gospel to their nation.
Jonathan and Daniela Augustine
Regional Superintendent-Central Europe
