Guest from the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethre

From November 25th to December 5th the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession and the Evangelical Reformed Church hosted Oliver Engelhardt from the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren in Czech Republic.

Since April 2017, Oliver Engelhardt will be responsible for international contacts of the church and will replace Rev. Gerhard Reininghaus in this position. The aim of his visit was to get familiar with the activity of the evangelical churches in Poland.

During his 10-day stay in Poland, Mr. Engelhardt visited Reformed and Lutheran parishes in Warsaw, Łódź, Zelów, Bełchatów, Kleszczów, Pabianice, Katowice, Częstochowa, Bielsko, Dzięgielów, Wisła and Goleszów. He met the bishops of the Cieszyn, Katowice and Warsaw Dioceses. He also visited Diaconia, Diaconate, Center for Mission and Evangelism and the Biblical Society.

December 5th Mr. Engelhardt had a meeting with Rev. Bishop Jerzy Samiec in Dzięgielów, the aim of which was to make a summary of his visit in Poland.

The Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren was formed in 1918 through the unification of Lutheran and Reformed parishes, claiming themselves to be the heirs of Hussitism. It consists of 87 454 members. The Church is divided in to 14 dioceses (seniorates) and 255 parishes.

There are 247 pastors employed (66 women and 181 men). The head of the church is the Synod Council, consisting of 6 members (3 lay persons and 3 pastors).

The church belongs to the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Lutheran World Foundation.