Polish Mission Church
Meetings (in Polish and English) are held in the Kingdom Life City Church
(Graham Gardens, Lisburn)
 |
 |
| Szczepan
(Stephan) Cackowski Leader |
Leaders L to R. (back row) Przemek Feliga, Szczepan Cackowski, Mariusz Borek, Slawek Cichy and Nowicki. (front) Monika Borek, Kamila Cackowska, Kasia Cichy and Kamila Nowicka. |
Leader: Szczepan (Stephan) Cackowski
Telephone: 07940 709241
Services: 7.00pm
(1st and 3rd Sunday of each month)
 |
 |
| Founder members L to R. (back row) Mervyn and Elizabeth Gilpin and Brian and Mary Agnew (Kingdom Life). (front row) Przemek Feliga, Nowicki, Szczepan Cackowski and Mariusz Borek. | The Kingdom Life
City Church, home of Lisburn’s Polish Mission Church. |
Brief history as recorded in a book ‘Lisburn’s Rich Church Heritage’ by John Kelly
The Polish Mission Church was formed out of a house group that met in the home of Szczepan (Stephan) and Kamila Cackowscy at Richill, Co Armagh.
Shortly before coming to Northern Ireland in January 2006, Szczepan met with Hillsborough couple, Mervyn and Elizabeth Gilpin, at a church service in York. Mervyn and Elizabeth took a personal interest in Szczepan and what he was doing.
After getting married to Kamila in June 2006, Szczepan and his two friends, Przemek and Lukasz started a home group, which quickly grew in numbers. Seeing the increase in the group, the Gilpins encouraged the leaders to take a step of faith and go beyond just informal meetings on Friday evenings. Starting a church seemed a huge challenge and Szczepan and his friends were not sure they could do it.
Fortunately the Gilpins had faith in the goodness of God and in the ability of these young people to do the task and do it well. In July 2006, after several conversations with the Gilpins, Przemek, Lukasz and Szczepan decided to ‘go for it’.
After praying for God’s guidance and blessing they rang the Gilpins saying, “We do not know how it can happen, but we are ready to start a church for Polish people”.
Shortly after that Elizabeth spoke to Brian and Mary Agnew, leaders of the Kingdom Life City Church (KLCC) and mentioned the Polish group’s desire to start a church in Lisburn. The local pastor explained that God had placed a burden on their hearts to open their door to foreign nationals in the city.
As a result of that meeting not only did the KLCC allow the Polish group to start meeting at their facility, but also they allowed the Poles to use anything they needed, including the PA system and the musical instruments. On top of that they did not charge any rent during the first six months. Looking back, Szczepan says, “God was turning his plan into reality and made sure the needs of those who were following His promptings were provided for”.
The first service was held on 3rd September 2006 and the recently refurbished building, with its modern lighting and audio-visual equipment, has proved to be an excellent neutral venue for the lively non-denominational meetings.
The leaders of the Polish Mission Church conclude, “If anyone is to take credit for what happened, it is God alone. None of us coming to Northern Ireland had planned to do what we did, but God in His grace allowed us to be a part of this great adventure and all we can do is to give the glory back to Him.”
Anniversary Celebration Service
An Anniversary Celebration Service in the Kingdom Life City Church on Sunday 21st October marked the first anniversary of the Polish Mission Church. To see the article, click on: Lisburn’s Polish Mission Church celebrates its first anniversary
