The Polish Outreach at Pacific Garden Mission is bringing the Gospel to the Polish population of Chicago, now numbering over one million. Many new immigrants add to that number each year.

It is very common for members of the Polish community to depend on good works to get to heaven instead of the atoning work of Jesus Christ alone. If asked whether they know for sure they are going to heaven, almost all will respond that they are not sure, even though they are very religious. It is imperative that they learn the truth of God's Word.

Ephesians 2:8-9—"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

I John 5:11-13—"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

With Ed Schoenberger directing the ministry, the Gospel is shared with Polish people in a variety of ways. In addition to ministering to the Polish homeless who come to the mission, classes of instruction in English as a second language are conducted at a local church. Follow-up is provided by building friendships, showing hospitality, and holding evangelistic home Bible studies. Other forms of outreach include survey and street evangelism in parks and door-to-door. Children's clubs are also conducted in city parks, and several children make professions of faith each time these clubs are held.

Ed tells of one particular outreach effort in a park. At the end of the session, about five Polish teens came by. Ed gave them some tracts and shared his testimony of how God brought him to the Lord through the death of his sister and a friend. One of the young men spoke up and said, "That's right where I'm at. I lost my dad not too long ago, and also my cousin."

It started raining so they all moved under a nearby tree and Ed continued sharing the gospel with the teens. Before long, another Polish teen joined them and mentioned that he had just lost his sister in a car accident. He was also receptive to the gospel.

Ed says, "Praise the Lord for these open hearts and minds to listen. When we go with the gospel, God opens doors to share our testimony and His powerful truth."

Polish Ministries Purpose Statement:

• Glorify God through proclaiming the gospel of Christ to the Polish people
• Depend upon God to bring many to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ to become His followers.
• Help new believers mature spiritually and train leaders to help start an evangelical Polish church.