"...I was cold, and you made me warm..."

Street meetings in January can be a cold experience, espesially when playing guitar or piano.
​But when it comes to the importance of preaching the Gospel it was a small price to pay.

In Matthew 25:35-36 Jesus is saying "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."

Even though being cold is not on this list, I believe it just as well could be — especially if the Bible had been written in Poland, during winter. Even though January is a cold month, when it comes to the weather, we have still been able to spread some warmth to people who need some extra care these cold months.
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Winter can be a harsh time for the poor and homeless. Therefore the Street Church initiative by the Hosanna Church here in Lublin is very important. ​Kasia and I are often helping the Street Church in different ways, and it’s incredible to see the impact it has on the people coming.

Some might say that the poor are only coming because of the free food and clothes they get, but I would disagree here. The poor and the homeless also have spiritual needs, and when we share testimonies, sing worship songs and preach the Gospel, I can see many of them are paying attention. After their physical needs have been met many of the also seek prayer.

THE BIBLE SCHOOL
​The first Bible school weekend in January we involved all of the students in Street Church. Even though it was cold, this was an excellent way for them to practice evangelism - both spiritually and practically. First, they had to help the team from Hosanna to make the food ready, prepare the equipment, and set everything up. Then they were sharing testimonies, preaching the Gospel and praying for those who wanted prayer.

Youth where coming form many different town around Lublin.
​Tormod was preaching, Kasia was translating and I was helping with the worship.

Some weeks later the Antioch Bible School, in cooperation with the youth of several other local churches, arranged a youth conference. We had invited Tormod Bakkevold to preach, and it turned out to be a great event with good preaching, worship and time for prayer.

THE CHURCH
​Another important even during January was the visit of Władysław Wigłasz. Though we started gathering as a church September last year, we have now officially been registered as church connected to the Polish Pentecostal Denomination. When Władysław Wigłasz was visiting we had our first official members meeting, where the I as the pastor was voted in and also the rest of the leadership team.

As a church we are blessed with great musicians and many quality families.
​That also means that we have quite a number of children at our Children's Church.

It turned out to be a great Sunday both when it came to worship, the preaching and the atmosphere in the members meeting. Even though being officially registered as a church will not change much, when it comes to the weekly church work, it is still good to know that we have all the papers in order and that we belong to a larger fellowship.
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To start a church requires patience and there are no quick-fix solutions. But it is rewarding to see the fellowship beginning to take shape and finding its own identity. Jesus promised in His word that He would build His church and it is an honor and privilege to be allowed to join Him in what He is doing.

THANK YOU FOR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT
We are very grateful for all of you that are praying and supporting us in the work we are doing. It means a lot for us to know that we have friends standing behind us. We also pray that the Lord will bless you richly and that you too will prosper in all the Lord has called you to do.

​God Bless You!
– Kasia & Ronald Gabrielsen