Opole (pop. 130,000 plus 30,000 students), is the capital of the only province in Poland where there were previously no Baptist churches. There are only about 200 evangelical believers in the city, so there is a great need for more churches. The vision to start new work in Opole among Polish Baptists goes back at least 20 years but was not carried out until 2005 when SEND launched the new RIT in Opole in partnership with the 2nd Baptist Church of Wroclaw. The church leadership team includes a key Polish couple from Opole as well as a Polish church planter/pastor. We have also utilized short term ministries consisting of both individuals and teams to further the work here.

Our purpose is to establish a reproducing Baptist church in Opole while also working more broadly to strengthen and encourage church plants in the surrounding region, according to the gifts and resources of the team. Our longer range goal is to see a dramatic increase in the number of healthy evangelical churches throughout the Opole region.

The young church in Opole is currently (2010) a fellowship of 15-20 people with the majority in the 25-35 age range. Our natural network of relationships includes the business community, the artist community, and students/teachers of English and primary schools.

The vision of our church plant is to be a reproducing community of followers of Jesus, based on Biblical principles, sincere relationships and serving others so that we can influence society for the glory of God.