THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL GOSPEL MINISTRY
Global Report
POLAND | SPRING 2024
Mike Stallard
Vice President of International Ministries
Dan Price
Director of International Ministries
Bringing Love and Compassion into the Heart of War
Read the story of Andrew Cieslar, one of our newest FOI representatives in Poland.
In the aftermath of Hamas’s unprovoked attack on Israel on October 7, and amidst the ongoing turmoil and war in Ukraine, a distressing rise in antisemitism has rippled around the globe. This surge of Jewish hatred has not only compounded the grief of those mourning but also intensified the challenges facing Jewish communities, particularly in Eastern Europe, where they endure both war and targeted persecution.
It is my privilege to share the story of one of our newest Friends of Israel (FOI) representatives in Poland, Andrew Cieslar, a passionate and shining example of devotion and compassion whose work embodies the love of the Messiah during these critical times. As I tell you about Andrew, I pray that you will consider supporting God’s life-giving work through his ministry.
A Servant’s Heart
Before officially joining our FOI Poland team in October 2022, Andrew was already volunteering with us. As the son of our field representative Hanya Cieslar and her husband, Gustav, a pastor and seminary dean in Warsaw, Poland, Andrew learned as a child how small acts of service, like setting up chairs for Bible studies or cleaning spaces for guests, could glorify God.
Andrew soon helped lead some of FOI’s summer camps, thanks to his commitment to learn Russian to better communicate with the campers. Once he was old enough, he helped his mother minister in Ukraine as well.
When God opened the door for Andrew to serve Him and the Jewish people through his own ministry, he had already evidenced a compassionate and focused approach as a true servant.
A Daring Passion
Ministering in former Soviet-bloc countries comes with risks, even decades after the Cold War ended. Andrew delivers Bibles to Belarusian churches, medical supplies to Lithuanian Jewish communities, and navigates the mountains of Moldova to transport refugees.
“I have great satisfaction in going beyond Poland’s eastern border, meeting people directly and delivering food parcels,” Andrew says. “This is a way to show love, and with that always come opportunities to share words of comfort.”
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Andrew has transported shipments of food, medicine, and other vital supplies to Jewish communities in Ukraine, sometimes deep into warzones. On the day Russia attacked, he was already busy transporting, day and night, some of the thousands of Jewish refugees to FOI’s centers and other locations in Poland. Once they arrived, Andrew and his team worked tirelessly to supply necessities to families who fled with everything they owned.
“Jewish refugees would ask, ‘Why are you helping us?’” Andrew recalls. “Then I would share my gratitude for Jews, because through them, we Christians have the Scriptures and our Messiah. Therefore, I want to help. The whole tragic situation is causing significant spiritual opportunities among the Ukrainian people.”
Andrew shares the love of our Savior with Jewish people by continuing to serve in FOI’s summer camps for kids in Warsaw and Wisla. As a respite from the sound of sirens and the constant stress of war, these weeks of camp can provide life-altering peace for those who attend. As Andrew teaches the Bible to the kids who come and sometimes their mothers who have traveled with them, his love for Jesus is infectious.
God has clearly gifted Andrew as a faithful, hard-working servant, uniquely prepared for Jewish ministry in Eastern Europe. Andrew explains, “It is our great joy and encouragement that by serving at camps for Jewish children from Ukraine, we are impacting future citizens of Israel.”
A Growing Vision
Along with our Polish team’s growing vision for ministry, Andrew and his wife, Sylvia, welcomed twin baby boys into their family in July 2023, and we couldn’t be happier for them. I believe God has wonderful things in store for this young family as they serve together for the good of God’s Chosen People.
This report only scratches the surface of Andrew’s team’s vision for what God might use them to accomplish. Andrew has recently begun working toward planting a church in Poland and translating into multiple languages his teaching through YouTube videos and podcasts, which air throughout Eastern Europe today. We are praying that God continues to expand our team’s outreach even further.
Serving in Eastern Europe, where the history of persecution and genocide of Jewish people is still a daily obstacle, Andrew Cieslar’s ministry echoes the words of Isaiah 62:10: “Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!”
With your generous support, we seek to remove the stones that impede Jewish people from returning to God. We ask you to prayerfully consider partnering with Andrew as he raises the banner for the nations and brings God’s Chosen People home.
You can provide much-needed support for Andrew's ministry by giving today.
