Why we need your help

Why are you asking people outside of Poland to help plant and build a church?

In order to raise awareness as to the difficulties that face the church financially in raising the funds from within, despite sacrificial tithing from the congregation lets look at the following issues:

1. The issue of finances

In Nowy Sacz, there is around 25% unemployment, most folk don't own a car, folk may only have two sets of clothes, all school books and some aspects of schooling have to be paid for, the average monthly salary is 1500zl or around £300/$600. Many in the church would earn significantly less than that. So, the income may be around 6 times less than that in the west.

The cost of living in Poland is, however not 6 times less! Building materials, food stuffs and clothing may often be only a little cheaper than in the UK, and some items such as electricals or telecoms may actually cost more.

However, the cost of land and buildings is around 5-6 times cheaper than the UK (south) and the cost of labour is still relatively low. Therefore, Poles have far less disposable income than people in the west. Despite sacrificial giving on the part of GGC members, the church cannot complete this project alone.

2. What do things cost in Nowy Sacz, then?

Even a small gift of a few 'bricks' from the west will make a huge impact here. Here are some examples, but always remember that earnings are significantly less here.

  • 1 Litre of Petrol - 90p
  • Ticket to the cinema - £2.10
  • Meal in a restaurant - £3.00
  • Pizza takeaway £2.00
  • Mens haircut - £2.00
  • 3 Bed house - £50,000
  • Loaf of fresh bread - 30p
  • Litre of milk - 30p
  • Chocolate bar - 20p
  • Newspaper - 17p
  • Years school books - £30
  • Dentist visit - £8
  • Employ a builder 1 month - £300

3. The principle of Partnership

Poland, being only a young member of the EU, has often felt isolated, left out and neglected. Poland is not a country most in the west would care about. It means such a lot for Poles, that someone in the west would care enough to compassionately give them some financial aid. It raises faith and gives hope of a better future. Partner with us now and help us acheive a lasting testament to what co-operation can achieve.

We believe it is a bible priciple that those who are blessed with more, freely give to those who do not have. Those who have more, give to those who don't. Those who have plenty give to those in need. It is true that we can do more together than this church can do alone.

4. What has the church in Nowy Sacz done?

From tithing, the church has a certain monthly income out of which it has certain standard costs, and the rest it gives to ministry work, including blessing missionary work and even poorer churches in the world. Year on year we see a steadily increasing yearly income. However, renting a building means up to 1500zl per month being given out with no long-term capital gain. This is set to increase too, and still does not give us guarantees of being able to use the building when we want to.  Each month, currently around 1500-2000zl could be made available if the church was not renting a building. The running costs of our own building would be around the same - with the additional option of renting it out to other suitable parties, which would bring in some supplimentary funds.

With the whole church behind this vision for a place of their own, a number of steps have already been taken.

    • Firstly, a separate bank account was established some time ago for the sole purposes of a building fund.  This has set a clear goal in the hearts of the church and gives transparency and accountability to the funds.
    • A variety of fund-raising events have taken place, from specific offerings, to the sale of miscellaneous items.
    • Other members have given personal amounts of 2000-3000zl (more than a month or two entire income for them) directly and specifically for the church building fund.
    • Other members who are poorer have pledged their time and services in renovating or maintaining the building.
    • Many members do not have enough money to own their own flat/house and some cannot afford their existing rent, but have offered additional giving in addition to their tithes for the building, which is seen as a good measure of faith and belief in the goal.
    • We have also had significat pledges of financial assistance towards this goal.

    With all of this giving we still do not have all the finances needed to fully complete the project and that is why we need your help. God has miraculously opened so many doors for us and answered so many of our prayers that we are fully confident that He is able to do so much more than we can even ask or imagine.

    Please consider - how much can you give? Can you give regularly or just one off? Would you like to fund a specific item (eg buying the chairs!?). Let's think creatively and generously, and together we can do more than we can alone.