AGAINST THE TIDE TV NEWSLETTER – SEPTEMBER 2022
TOP NEWS
2nd meeting of Polish-Ukrainian Bible Institute in Lublin
On September 17, 2022, the second meeting of the Polish-Ukrainian Bible Institute in Lublin took place. Lectures on the topic “How to read and study the Bible on your own, applying interpretative principles?”, were conducted by Zdzislaw Miara – one of the founders of Financial Education CROWN, Marriage Meetings ALMA, and former National Director of the Mt 28 Christian Movement. To study and teach the Scriptures has been his passion for over 40 years. [Read the article]
In addition to an extensive lecture section devoted to detailed information on the analysis of the biblical text, Zdzislaw Miara and students conducted exercises using difficult passages from the Letter to the Hebrews, which required deeper analysis. In the breaks between lectures, our students had the opportunity to talk about important topics, as well as to strengthen mutual ties.
The Polish-Ukrainian Bible Institute in Lublin is the first project of its kind in Poland. The main goal of the Institute is to integrate biblical Christians from Ukraine and Poland in order to carry out evangelistic and church projects together, as well as to exchange experiences of working for Jesus in the Ukrainian and Polish peoples, learning from each other and praying together for the future of our nations. During the school year, ten sessions will take place – one per month. The lecturers are pastors, professors, and Christian leaders from Poland and Ukraine.
If you are interested in joining the Institute, please contact us: [email protected] and visit the lib.edu.pl website, where we publish current information about the Institute’s activities.
Lectures from the conventions are posted on YouTube channel of the Institute.
Everything that we have achieved so far has been possible thanks to God’s blessing, thanks to the generosity and support of our viewers, and thanks to the hard work of a talented and well-coordinated team.
We are not paid by any means by the government, political parties, corporations, or any other groups and therefore, we can work completely independently and achieve such success in reaching Poles with the truth.
Support Against the Tide TV
WHAT ELSE:
Lieutenant Colonel Philip Bloom on Against the Tide TV
Our guest was Lieutenant Colonel Philip Blom, pastor, military chaplain, lecturer at the United States Air Force Academy, author of training materials, currently involved in humanitarian aid to Ukraine. We talked about why he flew from across the ocean to help Ukraine, we also asked about his impressions from the trip to Lviv and why he decided to visit Poland. Our guest also talked about the support that mutilated Ukrainian children and veterans receive in Minneapolis.
Pastor Blom spoke about what motivates him to support Ukraine [see our talk]
Polish singer wins trial involving Scripture against Poland at the European Court
Dorota “Doda” Rabczewska has won her case against the Polish state at the European Court of Human Rights. The Strasbourg-based court ruled that Poland violated the European Convention on Human Rights, convicting Doda of offending religious feelings when she described the authors of the Bible in a 2009 interview as “drunk with wine and smoking some herbs.” It obliged Poland to pay her 10,000 euros.
The verdict of the European Court of Human Rights was commented on by attorney Michal Wawrykiewicz, co-founder of the Free Courts initiative. We talked about whether the Court’s ruling will affect other cases of this type pending in Polish courts, and whether the appeal hearing in Pastor Pawel Chojecki’s trial for insulting “religious feelings” will end in an acquittal. After more than a year, the Court of Appeals has set the hearing for November 22.
On the Strasbourg Court’s ruling, Wawrykiewicz said: “The European Court of Human Rights came to the conclusion that an overstepping of the limits of freedom of speech in terms of violation of religious feelings would occur when these words incite hatred and attacks on religious grounds. And in this particular case, the Court concluded that there was a violation of religious feelings, we were dealing with so-called blasphemy, while the Convention [Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights] was violated by the fact that Mrs. Dorota Rabczewska was told that she had committed a crime by uttering those words. In other words, the Court granted her the right to speak in violation of religious feelings, but still within the Convention limit of freedom of expression.”
World War II reparations
Commentary by Dr. Mateusz Piatkowski
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is rejecting Polish demands to pay reparations for World War II. We spoke with Dr. Mateusz Piatkowski, a lawyer and employee of the Department of International Law and International Relations at the University of Lodz, about whether Poland has a real chance to obtain war reparations from Germany. He asserted the validity of Polish claims and pointed out that Poland has a solid legal basis to demand reparations from Russia as well.
Comments by MP Arkadiusz Mularczyk
We also touched on the issue of war reparations with Arkadiusz Mularczyk, chairman of the Council of the Jan Karski Institute for War Losses and Law and Justice MP. We asked why Law and Justice is demanding war reparations from Germany at a time when Russia is waging war against Ukraine, and whether the reparations issue is relevant to the upcoming elections. We also assessed the report on the war losses Poland suffered during the 1939-1945 German occupation, as well as the government’s international and media activities on the reparations issue.
Mikolaj Rykowski, president of the Free Space Foundation
Our team visited the “Granary” (Spichlerz) in Katowice – a social store where products are sold below market prices. This initiative is aimed at people who, for financial reasons, cannot always afford to shop in a regular store.
We published a report on this unique place. We were told about it by Mikolaj Rykowski, the initiator of the idea and president of the Free Place Foundation, which has been organizing Christmas Eve and Easter gatherings for lonely people for more than 20 years. Employees and volunteers of the Free Place Foundation have also been involved for many months in helping at the Polish-Ukrainian border, cooking warm meals and offering their support to Ukrainians fleeing the war
WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON:
- In October, we are organizing another meeting of the Polish-Ukrainian Bible Institute in Lublin. The main topic is: ” Reformation in Poland – lessons for the modern people.”
- We are also focusing on evangelizing students, especially first-year students. We want to build a separate student ministry on this occasion, as we already have about 10 university students and high school students in Lublin.
- Within this month we are planning to publish two new books:
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- „Jesus Revolution. Discipleship without reservations” by Joe Łosiak
- „A Flash in the Pan. From the History of the Polish Reformation” by Piotr Setkowicz.
Aid for Ukraine and Poland saves the world from disaster! “Disaster pastor” in Against the Tide TV
“Ukraine and Poland now represent where we need to stand so we prevent the terrible kind of outcome of World War Two,” Lt. Col. Philip Blom, pastor, military chaplain, lecturer at the U.S. Air Force Academy, creator of training materials, currently also involved in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, told Against the Tide TV. Pastor Blom stressed that it was an honor for him to meet with Ukrainian soldiers. “I believe they will win,” he said in an interview with Tymoteusz Chojecki.
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBKG2pOvlIU
Tymoteusz Chojecki: Our guest today is Philip Blom – military chaplain, teacher at the United States Air Force Academy, and author of training materials. Now giving humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Welcome, sir, to our TV. They call you “disaster pastor”. Why do you have this nickname?
Rev. Lt. Col. Philip Blom: It’s just the way that ministry developed over my life. When there was a disaster, a hardship, it seemed that I was the one that was called to come and help with the recovery. And that happened on several occasions, including a big flood that happened in my home in North Dakota. And then 9/11, I was called to the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., a big storm called Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. I went there and helped. And then several other smaller things. But my nickname came from those disasters and I was a pastor in each of those. So that’s where the nickname came.
What were you doing in Pentagon during 9/11?
I was the chaplain for what’s called the Crisis Action Team to try to serve after the crisis and be an Action Team together. My specific role was to be a chaplain for the leadership that was there and then also to oversee chaplains all over the world. We had 120 chaplains and 99 chaplain assistants in 23 different countries because our nation believes that chaplains should be there for our military wherever they go. So whenever the military goes somewhere, we send a chaplain with them. So they always have that presence of their spiritual care available to them.
You served in Air Force Academy, and you said you wrote a manual for teachers for the core values of followership. Can you tell us what these core values for leadership are?
Yes, I had the privilege of going there. It was approximately seven years that I was there. And the core values of the United States Air Force are called “integrity first”, “service before self” and “excellence in all we do”. Those three core values for leadership and service are integrity, service before self, and excellence and all we do.
How do you teach those values to students?
That’s a good question. Mostly by our discussion and taking a look at what is in the core value. Core value is inside you spiritually and in your heart. So when you dig deep for something to draw on, that’s the core of your life. Many would call that the spiritual life. What is at the core of your serving and your leadership? We would hope that they would grasp integrity and service before self and excellence in all we do. Those are the three core values.
Why did you come to Poland? What’s your mission now?
I am retired from all of that. I’m 71 years old, and I just had a meaningful… it was a health crisis. I was not well. But during that time, I learned of many who are extending their care and their faith to Ukraine for the sake of the well-being of the people and for their enormously important cause. And I went to some of those churches, especially Christ the King Lutheran in Bloomington, Minnesota. They raised funds for the buses that took those that were fleeing the country and also repatriating. So they wanted to do one bus and they were so generous. They ended up with 12 buses. That was my first. And then Grace Church in Roseville, Minnesota, packed bags full of medical supplies and cold weather clothing for children. And then another church called Mindekirken, Norwegian Church in Minneapolis also did fundraising for me. And they helped me to be able to come to hear.
Now you were in Lviv, in Ukraine. What was your impression of this visit? Was it your first time in Ukraine?
I’ve never been to Ukraine, and it was simply wonderful because of the people I was able to be with. The city is very packed because it has so many people that have fled and they’re there. Very, very congested. But I found nothing but kindness. And I was so impressed with the beautiful people and the way that they cared for one another and also their story of how they may have fled from the border when the war started. One family that I met: spoke Russian, but immediately said, I am not Russian. I speak Russian, but I am not. And his home was destroyed. And he fled with his wife and she was pregnant to give birth in just a few months. And they fled. And I met them now. They were walking with their baby. It was very moving to talk to them about their story and to be able to be of help to them and to children by bringing medicines and clothing. It was my great privilege.
What motivation do you have, and why do you support Ukraine?
Well, I believe that I have been blessed by God to be a blessing to others. And that in any way that I can, I want to be a blessing with my life. I’m also very motivated as a descendant of Norway. We have the Norwegian peace prize Nobel and the Lord made me an instrument of peace. So when I go someplace, I really hope I can be that kind of ambassador, an instrument of peace. And I believe that’s what Ukraine is ultimately doing – it’s not only fighting for independence but for the peace and well-being of all of us in the world. If Ukraine is successful, we will all be blessed with the freedom and peace that they might bring to us. So I want to stand with them, and I believe very much in the cause.
Tell us about your help for Ukrainian veterans in Minneapolis with protests and all.
I had the great privilege of going into a top secret to the military here with the Ukrainian military. And I was so wonderfully blessed to be able to speak to them and meet with them and encourage them. I also was in Minneapolis when the wounded came to Minneapolis because we have a doctor that gave free prostheses for legs and arms. I met them there and they were so inspiring. The commander stood and proudly said, We in Ukraine are fighting for our freedom. But more than that, we are fighting for the sake of the freedom of all the world and peace for all people. He inspired me greatly, and so I was able to come to the military here, the Ukraine military, and visit with them and tell them how we are standing with them. And we really pray for that peace and that independence for all.
In Minneapolis, I heard that you will help not only veterans but also all children who lost legs or arms.
Yes. Well, two things. One is that we in Minnesota know cold weather. And so when the appeal was for cold weather, clothing for children here was a very easy thing to do. So I brought cold weather things. Other, along with the military that was wounded, I met two children that also received assistance. One was a girl, I think she might have been 15 or 16 years old and she had lost a leg. And the doctor there gave her a free new prosthetic leg. And she was there in the wheelchair when the military men came. The most moving story to me was the doctor who had brought in a nine-year-old boy that boy was receiving an arm and he lost that arm in the embrace of his father, who held him to try to keep him safe and held his brother on his side. Two bombs blasted. One killed the older brother and the other killed the father holding the boy. And as it killed the father, it took off the arm of the nine-year-old boy. He is in Minnesota. They have given him a home as well as a new arm. When I return to Minnesota, we’re going to have a big concert at a concert hall. And it’s to welcome the stranger, welcome the guest for us. And the entire concert hall, I think it’s 1200 people. We plan on having half of that audience be our guests. And they are refugees from different places in the world, but primarily Ukraine. And we want to have those soldiers and those children, especially the nine-year-old, be our guest and then we will all stand and welcome them to be with us.
And there are a lot of terrible stories. You met Ukrainian soldiers and also US soldiers. What are your predictions about the war?
I am greatly privileged and very moved by the Ukrainian soldiers I met. I believe that they will be successful because of the spirit that is within them. They are working with many times inferior weapons, old rifles, old guns. But that does not dissuade them. They are resolved. And in some way historically, it reminds us of our first revolution for independence. We were inferior. We did not have good weapons. We did not have a good military. But we had a spirit that said, we will make this. We will do it and will overcome any odds to make it. And I experience that in those young men, the two commanders that I met. They could have been my grandsons. They are very young, but they are very mature and very wise. I found a strength in them, both for Ukraine, but also in their faith. They believe that God is with them in this and that they will be able to overcome even the great odds against them. And there are great odds. That’s true. I saw a T-shirt that I thought was a very comical but good representative was a tractor of a farmer pulling a Russian tank. And I thought, now there’s the spirit that will win the war. That tank has been pulled away. That powerful weapon by a farmer with a tractor. And it’s comical, but it says the kind of spirit that I experienced with these men. The base was destroyed. And they’re out in the woods. They’re hiding out in the woods, in their tents. And that’s where they do their training. And they know that’s where they’ll be when they go for the fight. They will be out in the woods. So they’re dedicated to being there. And I found a great spirit with them. It was wonderful. It was a great privilege to be able to speak to them. I was as honored as I’ve ever been to be with the military. And I’ve been in some big places like the Air Force Academy in the Pentagon. I’ve never been more honored to be with these men than I was with them. They were just tremendous.
In the Second World War, Poland was against Germany and was alone despite French and British assurance. Now we have some rotational presence of U.S. forces in Poland. You met them. Would America fight for Poland in the case of Russia’s attack? Many Poles face this question.
That’s a bigger question that I could answer because there’ll be others that will answer it. There’s one personal story that I want to say first. One of the soldiers came to me and he gave me this bracelet. He said This was made by my children. Would you please take it and keep them in your prayers? I was so humbled, but that’s the spirit. But to answer your question, I think the United States is in a very difficult place, because if they take on Russia, we may have a huge war, even World War Three. So we have to be very careful. But we stand with our friends. And Poland is our friend. I think that Ukraine is our friend. And we need to stand with them. And Ukraine and Poland now represent where we need to stand so we prevent the terrible kind of outcome of World War Two. We did not stand early on with each country and they all fell one at a time. We need to unite now, I believe. And I hope we do. And make sure we stop it now. Otherwise, Belarus. Who knows what would be next? And maybe even Poland. But I would never want that to happen. And I don’t believe Poland would stand alone. No, you are our friend, without a doubt. World War Two was a different time in history. And I’m very grateful to see the kind of unity that is taking place. Even with the Ukraine and Poland. They have been adversaries at times, but Poland has been very generous in receiving Ukraine by hundreds and thousands. And I think that’s unexpected. But it’s really good. And now I think there’s a unity between them. That’s a bond that’s new and good. I hope that that bond happens throughout all the nations involved, including the United States.
And finally, how do you encourage people to keep on helping Ukraine, to give humanitarian aid? This war has already lasted for half a year and people are tired.
One of the reasons I came is that it is easy to kind of forget when we are at such a distance in the United States. It might not be in the news as much. So we could begin to forget. I hope to not let us forget. And I will bring my stories back to keep alive the aid and the help that I hope we will continue to be. I think it makes us a better country when we are showing compassion. I am very concerned when we are selfish as a country. We are wealthy. We are powerful. But if we don’t extend it with compassion, I am very troubled when the United States does not show compassion. And I believe we are right now. And I don’t want it to stop. So my voice will be and my hope will be that I can bring stories that will inspire us to continue to be the best America that we can be. I am troubled that we are sometimes not. And my voice will always be that we will be compassionate. Our strength is a sign of compassion, not just arrogance and strength, but we will use our strength wisely. So that’s my hope, my prayer. And it will be my speech. It will be wherever I go. That’s what I will say. I will wear the Ukrainian shirt I have and I will wear it in my heart. I will wear this so people will hear from me. I was on the news media before I left and I don’t know if I will when I get back, but if I have an opportunity, they will hear that message from me that we need to stand with Ukraine and with Poland. The goodness that is happening, we need to continue. The Polish people are compassionate now. I hope we always remain this way, that we can unite in a way we’ve never united. This is an opportunity for the world to be different and better, I believe.
I hope so. Sir, thank you very much for this interview, for your service here, and for your coming to Poland. Philip Blom – military chaplain and teacher at the United States Air Force Academy was our guest. Thank you very much.
You’re very welcome. I’m greatly honored and privileged. I would say thanks be to God for this ministry, for me, because God is our refuge and our strength. This has been a refuge for me. I am very tired. And to come here and get rest has been such a great, great blessing for me. So thank you.
https://twitter.com/AgainstTideTV/status/1575511327644205058
The interview with Pastor Blom was commented on by Pastor Paweł Chojecki, head of Against the Tide TV:
“This is the real America! […] For me, the most important thing was what [Pastor Lieutenant Colonel Blom] was saying about the mental, and spiritual basis of the U.S. Army. […] The first rule is “integrity”. When Americans say “a man of integrity,” they mean a man transformed by Jesus Christ, a man of righteous character who is consistent with God’s code of values in all areas of life. […] American life is still connected to the message of Jesus Christ.
This is why we show that they are a Christian and very much blessed nation that understands its mission – that America must be strong not only militarily, but must be strong in spirit. This strength of spirit will be expressed in compassion, in sacrificing oneself for others.”
AGAINST THE TIDE TV NEWSLETTER – AUGUST 2022
TOP NEWS
Opening of the Polish-Ukrainian Bible Institute in Lublin
The inauguration of the Polish-Ukrainian Bible Institute in Lublin took place on August 20. The main goal of the Institute is to integrate biblical Christians from Poland and Ukraine to carry out evangelistic and church projects together, as well as to exchange experiences of working for Jesus in the Polish and Ukrainian peoples, learn from each other and pray together for the future of our nations.
The inauguration ceremony was led by Pastor Pawel Chojecki of the New Covenant Church in Lublin and Roman Loboda, a Baptist Christian from Zaporozhye, who helped bring together Ukrainian Christians and Christians from the Against the Tide TV community.
The institute will organize ten monthly conventions. The lecturers will be pastors, professors and Christian leaders from Poland and Ukraine.
The first series of lectures on discipline in the church in biblical, historical, and cultural terms was given by Pastor Pawel Chojecki of the New Covenant Church in Lublin. Lectures from the first convention will be available on the Institute’s website.
Those interested in joining the Institute are invited to contact us by email: [email protected] [Article in Ukrainian]
Everything that we have achieved so far has been possible thanks to God’s blessing, thanks to the generosity and support of our viewers, and thanks to the hard work of a talented and well-coordinated team.
We are not paid by any means by the government, political parties, corporations, or any other groups and therefore, we can work completely independently and achieve such success in reaching Poles with the truth.
Support Against the Tide TV
WHAT ELSE:
Ukraine Independence Day
On August 24, we celebrated Ukraine’s Independence Day. To mark the occasion, we broadcast a special edition of the Against the Tide LIVE program, and also participated in the “Heart for Ukraine” concert at the Chelm Culture Center, which was organized by Ukrainian churches, the Future of Ukraine’s Children Foundation and the Baptist Church in Poland. The Ukrainians honored five people, local leaders personally involved in helping our neighbors. Among them was Pastor Pawel Chojecki, head of Against the Tide TV.
Pastor Yaroslav Troć, who serves as pastor of the Volyn district of the Baptist churches, gave a speech on what God has done among Poles and Ukrainians.
During the “Heart for Ukraine” concert, a Ukrainian Christian Vladimir Pasa gave a particularly moving speech: “Dear Poles, I want to ask you, why instead of taking Lviv from us, you gave us weapons, you gave us tanks? Why instead of remembering the slaughter of Volhynia, you gave us a roof over our heads, food, clothing? You sacrificed so much of your time, so much money – why? Why did you not seize the opportunity? I also want to address Ukrainians: Why do you think the Poles acted this way? Because the Poles acted as true brothers, as true friends. We should remember this story – that Poles gave us a hand, opened their homes for us, shared what they had most precious. And we should, it is our duty, tell our children and grandchildren about it. We must never forget this.” [Video- Ukrainian]
The special edition of our LIVE program was full of interviews with guests from Poland and Ukraine. Against the Tide TV hosted Ukrainian parliamentarian Kira Rudik; Pastor Henryk Skrzypkowski; Olena Golikova, Ukrainian journalist; Vitaly Sus, founder of the Heart for Orphans mission; Roman Loboda, a Christian from Ukraine; Dmytro Matiuchin, head of the social service department of the Evangelical Baptist Union of Ukraine; Nicholas Rykowski, president of the Free Place Foundation; and Krzysztof Stanowski, director of the Center for International Cooperation of Lublin City Hall.
We asked our guests about what else Poland can do to help Ukraine.
Michal Falek, on behalf of the entire editorial staff of our TV, conveyed wishes to Ukrainians on the occasion of their holiday.
This month was full of cooperation and contacts with the people of Ukraine. We were able to experience support and friendship from each other, as well as strengthen and encourage each other to further actions.
During the Sunday meeting of the New Covenant Church, we listened to a sermon on following in the footsteps of Jesus, delivered by Roman Loboda.
We also hosted Dmitry Kharybin, a Ukrainian youth pastor from Poltava, who currently serves at the Baptist Church in Wroclaw. We spoke with him about the Christian churches’ involvement in aid for Ukraine and the differences between Catholicism in Poland and Orthodoxy in Ukraine. [Video – Ukrainian]
Krzysztof Skiba in the Against the Tide TV
We talked to Krzysztof Skiba, leader of the band “Big Cyc,” satirist and publicist. We covered the topics of his trial with Polish public television and his relationship with its head, Jacek Kurski, as well as the moral state of Polish Catholicism, and Skiba’s political involvement.
We also asked our guest about his attitude to faith and where he gets the strength to be an anti-system activist.
Blazej Kmieciak on Against the Tide TV
We spoke with its chairman, Prof. Blazej Kmieciak, about the difficulties in the work of the State Commission on Pedophilia. According to the Commission’s report from this year, the largest number of pedophiles is among Roman Catholic clergy. We asked our guest about how reliable the report’s data are and what the problem of pedophilia is among other denominations, as well as what the Commission’s cooperation with the Catholic Church is like. We also spoke about the project to eliminate the statute of limitations in pedophilia cases and touched on the Vatican’s instruction to bishops.
Professor Kmieciak commented on the problems encountered in the Commission’s work: “For me as a government official, but also for other government officials, e.g., judges, prosecutors, the problem is that we suddenly collide with a wall. We hear: “We will give you the documents concerning this case, but it will happen only the moment you present us with an argument on the international legal way.” Let’s assume that we agree to this international legal route, but there is a provision in its instructions that says that it is up to the Holy See to make the final decision on whether or not it will hand over the documents. And here is the basic problem, a very serious one, because realistically, the power to obtain these documents at this point is none – not only by the State Commission, but also by an independent court of the Republic of Poland. For me, there is no agreement on this.”
Discussion of the price tag
Price increases in Poland are the highest in 24 years. Studies show that more than 40% of Poles experience a deterioration in their physical or mental health due to the rise in inflation. We invited Dariusz Duma, philosopher and entrepreneur, Andrzej Domanski, economist and financial markets analyst, and Marcin Duma, president of IBRiS, to discuss the impact of high prices on our mental health. We asked our guests about how to live in a country where costs exceed earnings, and where to get hope and positive information from.
WHAT’S NEW:
- We have prepared an animation based on the “Putin’s Pope” leaflet. It is available on our YouTube channel, Facebook and Twitter. Find the paper version of the leaflet in our online store.
- We have published a report on the Christian Camp 2022. The report was created in a new form – we give the floor to the Polish community, who are our guide to common experiences and emotions.
WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON:
- In September we are holding another meeting of the Polish-Ukrainian Bible Institute in Lublin. This time the lectures will be given by Zdzislaw Miara of the Mt 28 Christian Movement and CROWN Financial Education. The theme of the lectures in September will be an introduction to the process of independent Bible reading and study, and an example of how to apply interpretive principles based on difficult verses of the Letter to the Hebrews. Those interested in joining the Institute are invited to contact: [email protected]
- We are also organizing a Christian conference in Chicago and Florida for the Polish community. Chicago is traditionally the site of the largest concentration of the Polish community in the US, and Florida is currently the most popular place of relocation for many Poles living in the States.
- We are preparing for the new academic year in the Megachurch project.
- We are also working on an evangelization campaign aimed at students. October is the best time to reach them.
- We are thinking of starting a mini-Christian café, please pray for this project!
Opening of the Polish-Ukrainian Bible Institute in Lublin! [event report]
Last Saturday, August 20, Christians from Poland and Ukraine descended on Lublin for the opening of the first Polish-Ukrainian Bible Institute in Lublin. The main goal of the Institute is to integrate biblical Christians from Ukraine and Poland to carry out evangelistic and church projects together, as well as to exchange experiences of working for Jesus in the Ukrainian and Polish peoples, learning from each other, and praying together for the future of our nations. There are plans to expand cooperation to other countries and nations of the Three Seas.
The institute will work in the form of ten monthly conventions. The lecturers are pastors, professors, and Christian leaders from Poland and Ukraine.
The first series of lectures on discipline in the church in biblical, historical, and cultural terms was given by Pastor Pawel Chojecki of the New Covenant Church in Lublin.
The Institute was opened by Pastor Pavel Chojecki and Roman Loboda, a Baptist Christian from Zaporozhye, Ukraine, who has been living in Poland since February this year.
Those interested in joining the Institute are invited to contact: [email protected]
Lectures from the first convention will soon appear on the YouTube channel of Against the Tide TV.
AGAINST THE TIDE TV NEWSLETTER – JULY 2022
TOP NEWS
Megachurch Summer Camp
This month, we held the annual Megachurch camp, attended by Christians from Poland, Europe, and overseas. During the camp, a dozen people were baptized, and during the Evening of Encouragement, we heard their testimonies of coming to Christ.
During the camp, we focused on worshipping God through daily singing and prayer. We had plenty of time to enjoy each other’s company, talk and encourage each other, as well as work together and rebuild our bonds, which weakened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together and in small groups, we studied the Bible. During the main daily study, we discussed 1 Corinthians chapters 1-4.
Our youth theatre group “Reformation” staged a pantomime on Litewski Square in Lublin.
We participated in lectures and exercises on tactics and diplomacy in evangelization. The lectures were conducted based on Greg Koukl’s book “Tactics”. On our YT channel, you will find an interview with Mr. Koukl.
Other events of the camp were also: psychological workshops, vocal workshops, and an evangelization trip to Zamość.
It was very fruitful to work with teenage youth, who actively participated in the study of the Bible and discussions about its practical application. It seems though to be confirmed that fewer and fewer young Poles seek God, which is why the current need is to develop new methods of evangelization and growth among youth.
Our children had a lot of fun at a large playground built for them and stylized as a medieval stronghold. Thank you for your support and for working together!
Everything that we have achieved so far has been possible thanks to God’s blessing, thanks to the generosity and support of our viewers, and thanks to the hard work of a talented and well-coordinated team.
We are not paid by any means by the government, political parties, corporations, or any other groups and therefore, we can work completely independently and achieve such success in reaching Poles with the truth.
Support Against the Tide TV
WHAT ELSE:
Celebrant Singers – concert tour in Poland and the Czech Republic
In July, in Poland and the Czech Republic, a concert tour of a Christian gospel band Celebrant Singers took place. The band started its activity in 1977. Its founder is Jon Stemkoski, with whom we talked about serving God through singing. We also talked about the challenges that the band currently faces.
The Celebrant Singers has already performed in more than a hundred countries, playing for over 8 million people, and it all began in Poland, where Jon heard the Gospel and gave his heart to Jesus Christ.
Our TV took the media patronage of the Celebrant Singers tour. On our channel, there is a report from the tour.
Discussion on the draft law on freedom of speech
A Polish political party United Poland wants to push through changes in the Criminal Code – it wants to tighten penalties for mocking dogmas, rites, and church services by up to two years in prison. We discussed the bill with Tadeusz Cymański, a member of United Poland, Andrzej Turczyn, an attorney, judge Piotr Gąciarek and pastor Paweł Chojecki. We talked about what these changes in the law might mean for the citizens and whether this is how the defense of Christianity should look like.
The MP of United Poland defended the changes in the Criminal Code supported by his party, while pastor Paweł Chojecki, convicted in the court of the first instance for criticizing Catholic dogmas, emphasized that it was an unjust law and that it was opening the way to convict Polish citizens for telling the truth about the Catholic Church.
Judge Piotr Gąciarek referred to the project of United Poland as follows: “Whether someone questions or criticizes the Church and its dogmas is a sphere of freedom of opinion and freedom of discussion. The state is not there to punish someone who criticizes the Church or her doctrinal principles. A secular court is not the place where we should decide whether or not someone had the right to speak against religious dogma.”
Aleksandra Pawlicka, “Newsweek” editor, on our TV
Our guest was editor Aleksandra Pawlicka from “Newsweek”. We talked about her latest article, in which she proved the close acquaintance of Cardinal Dziwisz with the pedophile priest Jan Wodniak. On our TV, Mrs. Pawlicka assessed that the end of the inviolability of Cardinal Dziwisz, who had so far protected himself with the authority of John Paul II, was coming.
The journalist postulated on our television a fair accounting of the cardinal – like any other citizen.
Szymon Piegza from “Onet” also referred to the case of Cardinal Dziwisz in our program: “The Vatican was investigating the case of Cardinal Dziwisz. He stated that there was no negligence. This is difficult to explain rationally. It seems that from the perspective of the Vatican, the case is over. From ours – it has just begun, there is new evidence.”
MEPs: Tadeusz Aziewicz and Andrzej Sośnierz, on our TV
MPs Tadeusz Aziewicz from the Civic Platform and Andrzej Sośnierz from the parliamentary circle Polish Affairs negatively assessed the merger project of major Polish fuel companies – Orlen and Lotos.
WHAT’S NEW:
- The latest leaflet advertising Against the Tide TV has appeared on our website. Download the PDF leaflet in Polish or order it in paper in our shop. [Flyer]
- In our online shop there are new designs of T-shirts with our logo. [men’s T-shirt] [women’s T-shirt]
WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON:
- In just a few days we will inaugurate the activities of the Polish-Ukrainian Bible Institute in Lublin.
- We ask for your prayers for our new evangelization leaflet, so that it responds to the current needs and longings of Poles.
- We are preparing an evangelistic strategy for the autumn time. We want to make the most of this time to reach students in the new academic year.
AGAINST THE TIDE TV NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2022
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Christian Conference
In June, we organized a reunion of Christians of our project. Our special guests were the rector of the largest and oldest Bible seminary in Ukraine, the pastor of the Baptist church in Kyiv, Ygor Yaremchuk, and his wife Lena, who is engaged in teaching women at the Irpien Bible Seminary. Pastor Jaremczuk preached during the Sunday meeting of the New Covenant Church in Lublin, and also spoke about the beginnings of the Bible seminary and Christianity in Ukraine.
We also organized a women’s meeting with Lena Yaremchuk, which was devoted to the topic of how a woman can find her space in the service. We also hosted our guests in a live program.
During the Polish-Ukrainian Christians’ conference “Always ready” pastor Igor Yaremchuk and pastor Paweł Chojecki decided to establish the Polish-Ukrainian Bible Institute in Lublin under patronage of the Bible Seminary in Irpin. The seminary has been destroyed during the war by the Russians, and many of its students and professors are now outside Ukraine.
“I have the privilege to announce that together with dr. pastor Igor Yaremchuk we have decided to establish the Polish-Ukrainian Bible Institute in Lublin. We will start classes on August 20 this year! Today, I invite you to contact me, soon we’ll give you more details. Praise God, He makes our dreams come true!” – pastor Paweł Chojecki said.
Pastor Dr. Igor Yaremchuk spoke about the new Polish-Ukrainian biblical project: “We have 830 students and 70 employees who are now scattered all over the world. We want to open branches of the seminary in Irpin where those people are scattered. We dream that such a branch will be established in Lublin. Praise God that Pastor Paweł Chojecki and I decided to start this process. On the one hand, it will be about learning, on the other hand, it will be about building community. We can see that this can result in a closer bond between Polish and Ukrainian churches. We also want to open such branches in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Italy. But since Poland was the first to help us, that’s why we are starting in Poland!”
During the conference, we heard a series of creationist lectures on what we can learn about the history of mankind from genetic research on the Y chromosome. Dr. Nathaniel Jeanson is the author of the following books:
- “Replacing Darwin”
- “Replacing Darwin. Made simple”
- „Traced. Human DNA’s Big Surprise”
Also, we organized the Polish-Ukrainian Concert of Glory in Lublin. The music band of the Ukrainian Church of God “Grace of Christ” in Krakow and the music band “Against the Tide” of the Church of the New Covenant in Lublin praised God with songs. On Litewski Square, Pastor Ygor Yaremchuk, Pastor Andrei Hlopkov, and Pastor Pavel Chojecki gave their speeches.
There was also a baptism, which was received by 8 people.
Everything that we have achieved so far has been possible thanks to God’s blessing, thanks to the generosity and support of our viewers, and thanks to the hard work of a talented and well-coordinated team.
We are not paid by any means by the government, political parties, corporations, or any other groups and therefore, we can work completely independently and achieve such success in reaching Poles with the truth.
Support Against the Tide TV
WHAT ELSE:
Bill Browder, entrepreneur and political activist: ‘Putin is afraid of Russians’
We hosted Bill Browder, a well-known entrepreneur and political activist involved in the campaign against Vladimir Putin and authoritarian Russia, engaged in the fight against oligarchs. We talked about whether a fundamental change in Russia is possible, about the information war, and the West’s fight against it. We also touched on communist China and its contribution to spreading disinformation. [Film – ENG version]
Professor Magdalena Środa: “Archbishop Jędraszewski sent by Satan!”
Professor Magdalena Środa, a philosopher specializing in ethics and a publicist, spoke on the impact of RE on the young generation. We also talked about the destructive influence of the clergy and catechists on young people.
Środa summed up the regulation introduced by Prof. Samsonowicz 32 years ago, concerning the introduction of catechesis to schools: “It has been confirmed, after many years, that RE at school does not add to knowledge about faith and its foundations. Children from kindergarten spend 900 hours [at RE classes] and have zero knowledge of moral theology, of the content of Scripture.”
Środa also treated the Bible as a cultural basis. She compared it to the works of Shakespeare, saying that every European should know at least some of its content.
Screening of “Formosa Betrayed” and discussion with Hanna Shen
Together with our correspondent in Taiwan Hanna Shen, we organized a screening of the film “Formosa Betrayed”, which tells the story of an FBI agent during the times of the dictatorship of Chiang Kai-shek in Taiwan in the 80s. The story is based on real events. After the movie, we held a discussion in our studio with Hanna Shen.
She said: “The film shows how the state of the 80s, the state of dictatorship, where the mention of Taiwan as a sovereign state [being independent of the PRC] was punishable by death. This shows how far Taiwan has developed since the period when in Poland, there was martial law. We [since then] are still fighting for freedom of speech, for economic freedom. Taiwan is heading in the opposite direction – it has more and more freedom, in many polls and rankings it has already surpassed even the United States.”
Richard Zevenbergen, a Dutch missionary on Against the Tide TV
We talked to Richard Zevenbergen, a Dutch missionary in Brazil. Daily, he trains and prepares Brazilians for missionary service. He also works with students and serves as a pastor in a Brazilian church where he is responsible for English-speaking service. The pastor told us about his experiences of ministry and evangelism, as well as the spiritual state of Brazil. [Film – ENG version]
WHAT’S NEW:
- We have started a project for an online Polish language course, which is conducted by Dr. Natalia Sosnowska.
- On our website idzpodprad.pl there is a leaflet “Putin’s Pope”, which is available in Polish and Ukrainian. [Leaflet – UA version]
- The first podcast of pastor and psychologist Ireneusz Dawidowicz entitled “How to deal with jealousy?” has appeared. Soon, you’ll see the next episodes of the new series “The Bible through the eyes of a psychologist”.
WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON:
- We are preparing for the summer camp of the Megachurch project in July.
- We have started the construction of a children’s playground on the premises of our headquarters.
“Poland was the first to help us and that’s why we want to start it with you!” – the rector of the largest Bible seminary in Ukraine and pastor Chojecki announce a joint project
“I have the privilege to announce that together with the Rector of the Bible Seminary in Irpin, dr. pastor Igor Yaremchuk, we have decided to establish a Polish-Ukrainian Bible Institute in Lublin,” pastor Paweł Chojecki announced on Against the Tide TV. “We want to open branches of our seminary where our students are scattered. Since Poland was the first to receive us, that’s why we want to start with you!” – rector Yaremchuk added.
During the Polish-Ukrainian Conference of Christians “Always ready!” in Lublin, pastor Igor Yaremchuk and pastor Paweł Chojecki decided to establish the Polish-Ukrainian Bible Institute in Lublin under the patronage of the Bible Seminary in Irpin. “I have the privilege to announce that together with dr. pastor Igor Yaremchuk we have decided to establish the Polish-Ukrainian Bible Institute in Lublin. We will start classes on August 20 this year! Today, I invite you to contact me, soon we’ll give you more details. Praise God, He makes our dreams come true!” – said pastor Paweł Chojecki last Saturday.
Pastor Igor Yaremchuk on Against the Tide TV emphasized:
“Since the war started, millions of Ukrainians, including many students and professors of our seminary, have moved to many European countries. But these are not refugees, they are missionaries! We want to open branches of the seminary in Irpin where those people are scattered. Our dream is that such a branch will be established in Lublin. Praise God that pastor Paweł Chojecki and I decided to start this process. On the one hand, it will be about learning, on the other hand, it will be about building community. We can see that this can result in a closer bond between Polish and Ukrainian churches. We also want to open such branches in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Italy. But since Poland was the first to help us, that’s why we are starting in Poland!”
AGAINST THE TIDE TV NEWSLETTER – MAY 2022
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VIII Against the Tide TV Congress
In May, the VIII Against the Tide TV Congress “Poland and the world after the catastrophe” was held. The event was devoted to the current situation in Ukraine, and the prospect of a Polish-Ukrainian alliance or even a union. Our guests talked about how to organize the world after the war with Putin and what the effects of the war will be for the whole world. They also assessed the attitude of the states and their commitment to helping Ukraine, as well as the policy of communist China towards Russia’s aggression.
The speakers of the Congress were:
- Gen. Benjamin Hodges, former commander of U.S. troops in Europe [video]
- Kira Rudik, Chair of the Ukrainian Voice Party [video]
- Manyan Ng, head of Epoch Times Europe [video]
- Satoru Nagao, Hudson Institute expert [video]
- Pavel Novotný, Czech politician
- pastor Bob Kraft
Kira Rudik expressed her gratitude to the Poles for their help. She said she is very hopeful for the establishment of a Polish-Ukrainian alliance: “Kyiv started to be bombarded at 5 a.m. And at 6 p.m., Poland opened its borders to Ukrainian citizens so they can get to safety. You did not ask us any questions. You were that neighbor that, when you come back home and cry, knock on his door, he would open the door, give you a cup of tea, and you would talk. We would never, ever forget this. […] So with this new system that we will be putting together, moving forward after the catastrophe, after the crisis, after we win, I do believe that geographically, mentally, and physically, Ukraine, Poland, and Baltic countries will have to stay united, will have to have closer connections, and we’ll have to help to build the alliance, the effective alliance that would actually work.”
The main event of the Congress was the debate, which was divided into four panels: Security, Local Governments, Health Care and Education. It was attended by specialists from various fields: politicians, experts, doctors, editors, local government officials, and representatives of education.
The idea of the Polish-Ukrainian alliance was supported by the former Minister of Agriculture, chairman of the Council for Agriculture and Rural Areas, Jan Krzysztof Ardanowski: “Strategic cooperation is needed in various areas, e.g. agriculture. If Ukraine perseveres, and may it do so, if Poland, Ukraine, and smaller countries in our part of Europe could unite – as President Zelensky also said in his message to the Polish National Assembly – then, as a matter of fact, it would be the Three Seas Initiative, but at the same time a strong counterweight to the Germans, to their domination, hegemony in this part of Europe. Now there is a chance for our region to stand out for independence. Poland and Ukraine can be absolute leaders in this change in the geopolitical situation.”
Everything that we have achieved so far has been possible thanks to God’s blessing, thanks to the generosity and support of our viewers, and thanks to the hard work of a talented and well-coordinated team.
We are not paid by any means by the government, political parties, corporations, or any other groups and therefore, we can work completely independently and achieve such success in reaching Poles with the truth.
Support Against the Tide TV
WHAT ELSE:
Conference of Pastors and Christian Leaders
In early May, we organized a conference of pastors and Christian leaders under the slogan: “Evangelization of Poles and Ukrainians at the time of dynamic cultural and international changes”. We talked about the response of evangelical Christian circles to the changes taking place and how to use the openness of hearts resulting from the war in Ukraine in evangelization. In Lublin, we hosted pastors and Christian leaders from Poland and Ukraine, who want to look together for new opportunities to reach Poles and Ukrainians with the gospel. The special guest of the conference was Joe Łosiak, co-founder of the oasis movement, and associate of Fr. Franciszek Blachnicki.
The result of the conference was a joint letter in which pastors supported the initiative of President Zelensky and other politicians to strengthen relations between Poland, Ukraine, and other countries in our region. The letter was signed by pastors: Paweł Chojecki, Radosław Kopeć, Paweł Machała, and Michał Fałek from the New Covenant Church in Lublin, pastor Henryk Skrzypkowski from the Baptist Church in Chełm, pastor Ireneusz Dawidowicz from the “Way of Salvation” Congregation of the Baptist Church in Poland, pastor Andrey Hlopkov from the Church of God “Grace of Christ” in Krakow, pastor Oleksandr Moroz from the Ukrainian Baptist Church in Warsaw and Joe Łosiak.
[Petition – UA] [Petition – ENG]
[Article – UA] [Article – ENG]
Robert Makłowicz on Against the Tide TV
We talked to Robert Makłowicz, a well-known Polish food critic, writer, and traveler. We asked him if he believed in the possibility of an alliance between Poland and Ukraine and the entire Three Seas Initiative.
We also talked about the myth of a Pole-Catholic and the contribution of Protestants to Polish culture. We also remembered the time of the Republic of Poland, its tolerance, and its great traditions.
Robert Makłowicz said: “Our past is the Republic of many nations, many religions, and many cultures. Regardless of where we come from in Poland, we are the heirs of this ‘multi’ tradition. I perceive Polish culture as a collection resembling a stained glass window. If we put one piece of glass in the frame, then it will no longer be stained glass, but an ordinary glass. However, stained glass is a much more complex and beautiful construction.”
Verdict in the case of Bartłomiej Pankowiak
The District Court in Kalisz issued a verdict in the case of Bartłomiej Pankowiak, the victim of priest Arkadiusz H. The Kalisz Curia is to pay the victim PLN 300,000 in compensation.
Artur Nowak commented: “We feel satisfaction, but not entirely, because the court did not fully accept our demand. It is important for us, for Bartek and Jakub, that the principle of responsibility has been decided. The court in the oral justification of the verdict said that this is not a fight with the Church, but a fight for the Church, for a healthy Church, and the plaintiffs, i.e. the Pankowiak brothers, were the precursors of this good cause. They set an example, starting with the fact that they showed their faces in the movie, and spoke about their trauma, but also by applying for reparation, they became the precursors of the purification of this Church.”
Cardinal Zen arrested!
On May 11, the Chinese authorities arrested Cardinal Joseph Zen from Hong Kong. Along with him, a group of people supporting a foundation created in 2019 to help protesters in Hong Kong was detained. The cardinal supported Hong Kong’s independence efforts, publicly criticized the Vatican’s agreement with the Chinese Communists, and called communism itself a “diabolical system”.
After the White House intervened, the Cardinal was quickly released on bail. However, he still faces imprisonment.
“The lack of a decisive response by Pope Francis to the arrest of Cardinal Zen, the retired bishop of Hong Kong, by the Chinese Communists, is a shame and a disgrace,” said Hanna Shen, a correspondent for Against the Tide TV in Taiwan.
Christian Congress
This month we organized a Christian conference, special guests of which were Joe and Anna Łosiak, missionaries from the USA. The program of the convention included e.g. a meeting with young people, a concert by Joe Łosiak, a series of lectures by Joe and Anna, and a Q&A session. We also invited our guests to a program about whether the “revolution of Jesus” in Poland is possible.
We also talked to Anna Łosiak about the lights and shadows of homeschooling.
Joe Łosiak also gave us a Sunday Sermon “If not Mass, what?”
WHAT’S NEW:
- We have prepared a new evangelization leaflet “Putin’s Pope”
- We have started a new project – a study of the First Letter to the Corinthians, led by Pastor Paweł Chojecki.
- We made a new animation “It is war then!”, which answers the questions of why there are wars, why people hurt each other, and why we are surrounded by so much evil. The animation with drawings by Andrzej Patalon was created based on the leaflet of the same title. It is available in Polish and Ukrainian.
WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON:
- We are preparing for the Polish-Ukrainian evangelization conference in June, during which we will organize a concert of Christian music in Lublin.
- We are planning on setting up evangelization tents in various cities Polish.
- We are in the process of preparing for the Christian summer camp in July.
- We are beginning an advanced Bible study project in collaboration with the Mt28 Movement. The first book to be studied will be the Epistle of James.
- In our headquarters, we are also working on a new car park.