Mirek and Gosia Kulec – Testimony: Over the Horizon

I was not born into a Christian family. My grandfather was the only one saved, and he suffered persecution from family members because of it. His diligent prayers brought me to Christ. When I repented and gave my heart to God, I asked Him to change me. That was the seed of my journey into future missionary work.
I met my wife, Gosia, at church, and it wasn’t very long before we married and headed to the mission field. We started Bible School in Moscow and then began to seek God about where we would minister. We had several false starts: we tried to move to Magadan to preach but were never able to get there; we sought to minister at Ashgabat in the desert, but the heat was so extreme that it killed people who were unaccustomed to it. Finally, we settled in Estonia.
We arrived there, knowing no one, not even a pastor at one of the churches. We settled in a Russian-speaking city called Maardu, which we found out was full of drunkards and violence. God showed me supernaturally that I was to minister in the prison which was so dangerous that everyone thought I had lost my mind. It was frightening at first and very tough going, but God blessed me and soon not only was I allowed to minister in the prison, but for 13 hours every day. We had morning and evening prayer times and a Bible study which several prisoners took. These men were hardened criminals, but God was softening their hearts and giving them hope in the gospel.
A local gang wanted to stop us from ministering and our lives were threatened. I was frightened and fearful for my life, but my pastor, George, told them: you are too small and too weak to stand up to our living God. I thought that we would be dead by morning but George silently prayed all night. The next morning one of the gang members told us that the man they had sent to kill us fell out of his car on the way and died. And none of the rest of them could sleep and were plagued by their consciences. He cried out, “pray for me, we know that your God can kill us all”!
Many miraculous things happened along the way, too many to share in this short testimony. After several years (and several precious children born to us), God called us back to our homeland in Poland to minister in Chelm in eastern Poland. We ministered there for 16 years during which time I contracted spinal meningitis which could have taken my life. I recovered in the hospital after a few weeks, but I had a relapse at home which was much worse. I suffered so much pain. My nervous system literally went crazy. I was taking 18 pills at a time. Nights were a torment and the depression and fear were lethal. If it weren’t for my wife, I think I would have given up. Finally, I remembered the Bible verse about having the elders of the church come pray for me. They gladly came and anointed me with oil and soon after that I began to recover. God gave me a new empathy for those who were seriously ill and in the hospital.
The day I was able to return to the church brought me great joy. When I got up and walked to the pulpit, the people began to clap and cheer. That was something unusual for our church. I knew they were encouraging me, but also praising our great Savior who healed me.
Later God led me to pastor a church in Hradek, Czech Republic along with my church in Poland. People who had experienced difficult situations looked to me with confidence. I believe they could sense my compassion and empathy for them.
I feel such a deep love for the Church. I realize what a privilege it is to be God’s man and though I know that storms will come, there are also times of peace and silence where Jesus strengthens us.
It is not always easy serving God. We were not promised glory, praise or privilege. But the greatest treasure I have is Jesus. I want to keep that in the forefront of my life.
I know one day we will find our final place of ministry. Maybe it is here, but, if not, we will move somewhere in the end. But, at our final destination, there will be no more wars, no tears, no sickness and no one will die. We will be with Jesus forever in the home of the Father. Until then, follow Jesus!