A report by Paul Garner (click on the images for larger versions)

Between 22nd and 25th April, Dr Geoff Barnard and I visited the Polish city of Poznan for a period of creation ministry. During our visit, nine meetings were held and several hundred people heard us speak.

The first meeting, on the day of our arrival, was held in the neighbouring town of Sroda. Geoff gave a lecture entitled ‘Doubts about Darwin’. Although the numbers attending were small, those who came found it very worthwhile. One man stayed to talk for some time afterwards and went away with several books.

The next morning, I had the opportunity to speak to a large group of high school students on the subject of Noah’s Ark. The students were very attentive and asked some good questions after the talk. I was delighted when two of the students presented me with a framed picture as a ‘thank you’ for my lecture.

That evening, Geoff spoke at a meeting organized by the Christian Medical Society. This was held in the Pentecostal Church. It was well attended but mainly with members of the church. There was a lovely atmosphere and the talk was very well received. After the meeting Geoff had the opportunity to talk to two Christian doctors. They were very keen to get more material.

There were also meetings with staff and parents at the King David School, a Christian school which started a few years ago in Poznan. It was good to be able to encourage them as they develop their vision for Christian education.

The next day, Geoff had the great privilege of speaking to scientists working at the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute in the city. The openness of this scientific audience was extraordinary, especially compared with the hostility often encountered in the UK. Geoff’s lecture was warmly received and we were also given a tour around the facility.

The main public meetings were held later that evening. I spoke about the ice age, explaining the creationist model in which the ice sheets developed in the centuries following the global Flood. Geoff spoke from his perspective as a biochemist about the problems facing the evolutionary theory of the origin and development of life. It was gratifying to see the Biblical Creation Society’s Creation Manifesto available on the literature table for the first time in the Polish language. Afterwards, I had a long conversation with a young man who had lost his faith and was struggling with the problem of suffering. I also met an anthropologist, studying in Poland as a foreign student, who wants to establish a creationist work back in his home country. Please pray for both these contacts.

The last day of our visit was spent giving seminars to church leaders and to teachers. Topics included ‘Evidence for a Young World’, ‘Man’s Origin, Man’s Destiny’ and ‘Mt St Helens: Monument to Catastrophe’. One young man, a student of geology, attended both the public meetings and the teacher’s meeting. He had also come along to meetings in previous years. He was politely sceptical and wanted to challenge us, but we were pleased to have the opportunity to dialogue with him.

We would like to record our thanks to our Polish translators, Ania and Staszek, who did a magnificent job of translating what were, at times, very technical talks.

This is the fourth time BCM has been able to assist our friends in Poznan with creation ministry. On previous visits I’ve been accompanied by Dr John Peet, Sylvia Baker and Professor Werner Gitt. Since the first visit in 2004, Michal Pronczuk, the lead Polish organizer, reports that there has been a meaningful change in thinking among many Christians about this issue. He writes: “We have observed an increase in interest in biblical creationism which results in greater trust in God’s Word. Believers in Poland are now better equipped with apologetic arguments which can be used both in evangelism and teaching in churches.” Furthermore, he says that many unbelievers have come to see that there is a real alternative to the pervasive naturalistic way of thinking.

We feel very privileged to have been a part of these meetings and look forward to what we believe will be even greater opportunities ahead.