Tell us about yourself and your family.

I’m Samuel Skrzypkowski, aged 34. I grew up immersed in the Gospel, and, although I prayed a ‘sinner's prayer’ at the age of seven, by my early teens I recognized the hypocrisy in my life. I wore different masks to fit in – at church, with family, at school, and among friends. On the first Sunday of the summer of 2005, while preparing to serve at a children’s camp for the first time as a leader, it struck me that I had nothing meaningful to say to them about living a gospel-centred life. I realized that I knew about Jesus but didn’t truly know him. God transformed my heart, giving me new desires for holiness, genuine prayer, and joyful obedience to him. I was baptized shortly afterward.

Although I initially resisted the idea of becoming a pastor, my calling became evident while leading a university Bible study group, and I eventually pursued seminary studies in Warsaw.

At the end of 2012, at a Christian conference for students, I met a wonderful, God-loving girl named Dominika, whom I began dating. The story of how God brought her to faith was very similar to mine. We were married in August 2014. God has given us three beautiful and joyful children: Barbara(8), Hanna (6), and Tadeus (3.5).

Where do you work?

In 2022, my family and I moved to Bydgoszcz, a city of 350,000 people in the north-central part of Poland, to plant a church. The message of salvation by faith is largely unknown in a city with approximately 1,000 evangelicals (in a broad sense), and in a country that was once strongly Catholic, but is now among the fastest secularizing in the world. Currently, we have 34 members, about 70 people attending Sunday services, two Sunday school groups for children, meetings for teenagers, and three Bible study groups.

In addition, I am a teacher at the Higher Theological Seminary in Warsaw, and I’m involved in a publishing ministry. Lastly, I am involved in expository preaching workshops, where I serve as one of the national co-leaders. These workshops are currently held in four locations across Poland, with a total of about 60 preachers participating.

What led you to EMF?

Since I started my ministry in Bydgoszcz, I have had to gather financial support to provide for my family. I was looking for partners who share a common vision of what biblical Christianity means, so that we could fully trust each other and enjoy the fruits of ministry to God. One of my friends recommended that I look into EMF.  In addition, I spoke with two missionaries supported by EMF in Poland, who spoke very highly of the organization. All this, I believe, has built a bridge of trust and partnership that will last for years to come.

What is your greatest joy in your church?

There are many reasons to rejoice in the life of our church, but my greatest joy comes from witnessing the transformative work of God in people’s lives. It fills my heart with gratitude when new individuals come to faith in Christ, follow him in baptism, and begin to grow and mature in their walk with the Lord. Another is when people who have faced difficult experiences in other churches find their way to our congregation. It is deeply moving to see them experience healing and peace for their souls as they encounter a community centred on God’s Word. Knowing that God is using his Word to restore and strengthen weary hearts is both humbling and encouraging. These moments remind me why we do what we do: to glorify God and to see lives transformed by his truth and grace.

Do you have a Bible verse / passage that encourages you in your daily work?

Psalm 67.  It is particularly meaningful because it was the focus of the very first sermon I preached in Bydgoszcz. It serves as a daily reminder and a guiding vision for the ministry I am privileged to carry out. It inspires me to pray and labour so that through the work we do, others might come to know how good and gracious the Lord is, and that together we might rejoice in his presence.

How can we pray for you this month?

1. Just before Christmas, our church organized an evangelistic event for families in need from our neighbourhood. We hosted 70 people in our chapel, and, as a result, one person who attended the outreach joined us for our Christmas service. Please pray that the gospel message they heard would reach their hearts, and that they would return to our church.

2. Please also pray for three young women – J, J, and E – who are currently preparing for baptism and membership in our church in early February. Pray for the growth of their faith and for their bold witness in their families as they take this significant step in their journey with Christ.

Thank you for your prayers—they are a great encouragement to us!