By Jamie Shafer

Dawid and Justyna Wawrzyniak are passionate about following God’s plans, and they believe anything is possible with God. They minister to business leaders in Poland through PROCA, providing business management coaching and seminars founded on biblical leadership models. The support and mentoring is invaluable to Christian leaders learning to apply their faith at work. The Wawrzyniaks also have opportunities to form relationships with non-Christians, using biblical principles to help direct conversations about life and business.

Dawid shared the path that led them to launch PROCA (proca.org; click your search engine’s translate option to see the site in English). “I graduated from seminary in 2000. I had worked for a youth camping ministry for nine years and then spent three years as a mission and outreach minister in a Christian church in Warsaw.“Until 2007, my only business experience was six months at McDonald’s, where I worked as a student, grilling hamburgers and mopping the floor. But when you fall in love with Christ and you have passion for his church, everything is possible.” 

A New Vision

With PROCA, ministry took on a new form through innovative training for business and Christian leaders. “We address mostly the field of leadership, and I use the same methods and tools in both business and churches. I teach on management, development, strategy, innovation, change, public speaking, and coaching and mentoring your team. Workshops are attended by CEOs, CFOs, human resources managers, board members, and project managers. We also have special open programs for Christian leaders and local churches.”

Dawid noted that several experiences led him to become a coach, trainer, and consultant. “First it was passion and vision for a megachurch. I spent one year in Louisville, where I took classes at Louisville Bible College and worked as an intern at Southeast Christian Church. I went back with a dream to see at least one church like that in Poland. Today our biggest evangelical church has 600 people, while average local churches have between 50–80 members.”

He also had chances to observe potential areas of growth for leaders. “Some of the Christian leaders I knew loved the Lord and served him with all their hearts, but they had some deficiencies in managing people. When I founded PROCA in 2007, our organization’s goal was to focus on appreciation, support, and development of Christian leaders in churches and in business. I knew that if leaders were changed, their organizations would improve and all would benefit.” 

The challenge of ministry finances also spurred him to create this new role. “I tried to raise support for my family and the ministry I had started, but instead of increasing funds, we began generating debts. I did not want to change my profession; we just needed money to pay the bills. God did miracles, and now I’m a coach, trainer, and consultant for top management, while at the same time I can support and develop Christian leaders in churches.”

Victories Along the Way

The path hasn’t always been easy, but it has been filled with inspiring moments. “I have been in this ministry model for more than five years, and I have many stories to share. I could easily write a book. God was, and still is, with me and does surprising things. I have had chances to share my personal testimony for several managers during training programs in firms. They were curious and asked me about my faith. I prayed with and for some managers during my one-on-one coaching and mentoring meetings. I quoted Jesus and the Bible during my business public speeches. I shared the gospel in business and government offices. 

“Three years ago during one of our programs, I asked one Christian leader, ‘What is God really telling you to do?’ After long silence, he replied, ‘To start a new church.’ Last year on April 7, I had the privilege of worshipping with him and 30 others during the inaugural service of the new church!”

In closing, Dawid said, “I just want to encourage any follower of Christ to dedicate enough time to find your call. If you’re very busy, find time. Pray, fast, reach for counsel, and serve. Just be sure what God is telling you to do. Lack of finances can’t be an excuse; this may be just a test. Programs can be changed, models, people, and teams—but the vision, it can’t be changed.”

Jamie Shafer is the communications director at East 91^st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. She and her husband, Eric, have two children.