| 30th August 2009 | ||
|
Central European plain with Baltic coastline. Poland has a Population of 38.5 million with 90% affiliated with Christianity. All religions have equal rights before the law, but the Roman Catholic Church exercises its traditional pride of place in Polish society. It has been aggressive since 1989 in attempting to shape a state based on Catholic principles and theology. A low level discrimination of non-Catholic denominations is evident and Evangelicals tend to be categorized as sectarian by the more established denominations. Bible training for church leaders, a much needed ministry, is developing fast. There are about 25 Protestant institutions ranging from seminary level to part-time or correspondence Bible schools — remarkable for a land with so small a Protestant presence! Pray for biblical faithfulness, spiritual power and missions vision to be the hallmark of the ministry of graduates.
|
 |
|
 |
Poland became a nation in the 11th Century and united with Lithuania in 1569. It was weakened divided and occupied by many nations since then. One quarter of the population died in World War II. Communist rule was imposed in 1945 but poverty and labour turmoil led to the Solidarity Movement protests and a multi-party democracy in 1989. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and is in the process of becoming a member of the EU. Before 1940 Poland’s economy was agricultural. Communist rule emphasized development of heavy industry which not only damaged the economy but also the environment. Reforms in the 1990s have transformed the economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe. | |