KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP)–Filip Blank feels the gravity of the tragic plane crash involving high-ranking Polish political, military and religious leaders.
Blank spent the first 20 years of his life in Poland before moving to the United States with his family and subsequently enrolling at Midwestern Baptist College, SBC, in Kansas City, Mo.
The family left Poland before the current administration was elected. Although Blank feels somewhat disconnected in an emotional way, he voiced a burden for his many unsaved countrymen.
“I’m praying that through these events God will open their eyes and hearts, and that the evangelical churches in Poland would preach and share the Gospel in a great way,” Blank said. “I feel there is an open door now, and I’ve already shared the Gospel with many friends. I never had the chance before because they weren’t as open as they are now. God will definitely use this to His glory and to bring more people into His Kingdom.”
Blank has shared his faith with friends by using e-mail and Skype. He said he has tried to comfort them and tell them the Gospel message that all are sinners and no work can earn God’s favor or mercy. Salvation totally is a gift of God, and through belief in Jesus Christ’s shed blood and sacrifice, there is the promise of eternal life.
While Blank said none of his friends have made a decision to follow Christ, he is doing his best to be there for them. “I think people there need some time to go through and think about the message. I’m just trying to share with as many people as I can right now.”
Blank said he has received encouraging news from friends back home that the evangelical churches are reaching out, fasting and praying for the county amid the upheaval of the April 10 airplane crash. He added there is a good possibility that one particular political party, if it comes to power, has Christian influences and ties to the Protestant church in Poland.
“Through this, we’re seeing a lot of unity. People are setting aside their differences, and being as one,” Blank said. “I think this will help in the political situation. I’m praying that God would put His people in the government and for the new president who will be elected in about 60 days.”
Blank, who hails from Malbork in northern Poland, a city famous for the gothic Marienburg Castle, considered one of the most striking in Europe, said he first heard about the tragedy in a phone call from his mother in Pennsylvania.
“I couldn’t believe it at first,” he said, then reflecting, “To me, it doesn’t matter if it’s 96 famous or important people or if it’s that many regular people who die, it’s a shocking and sad time.”
Midwestern Baptist College, which is part of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has 19 international students representing 14 countries. Five of them are from Poland.
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T. Patrick Hudson is director of communications at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
