The Pastor and Congregation
We are a diverse church community, with members from around the world. We welcome all to join us in worship, learning, and serving together in unity.
The Church Pastor
Harry was born in Birmingham, England in 1951, of German parents who lived in Poland up to World War Two. He learned to speak English at school, his mother tongue being German. The family worshipped at the Polish Lutheran Church in Birmingham, where Harry was employed playing the organ at age 12. He went on to study German at the University of Wales, where he also trained to become a teacher while writing a Ph.D. on the medieval Catholic theologian and mystic, Master Eckhart.
After some events in his personal life, Harry felt the call to become a pastor, and assumed this would be in his Polish Lutheran Church in England. He therefore came to Poland to learn Polish (1978-80), meeting his present wife Ania in Warsaw. However, on returning to the UK, he was unable to arrange theology studies and went into language teaching instead. In the meantime, Ania joined him in the UK to study Church Education in Birmingham, and they married in 1982. In 1986, Harry and Ania decided to emigrate to Poland. He began a new career as a translator. He thought he had misheard God’s call, as nothing had come of pastoring in the UK, but the Lord had other plans.
In 2013, the Polish Lutheran pastor invited Harry to teach English Christmas carols and hymns to the parishioners. The success of this led to the formation of an English-language midweek fellowship group, which still continues to meet for Bible study. Finally, in 2017, Harry was invited by WIC’s Church Council to pastor Warsaw International Church. The Lord’s call had not been misunderstood after all. It was just that, instead of being called to pastor a Polish church in England, he was ultimately to pastor an English church in Poland. God moves in mysterious ways. Harry loves “collecting” hymns – wonderful old revival hymns, many of which are now almost forgotten. Ania and Harry also enjoy walking in Poland’s diversified countryside, and are both lovers of nature
Members
One of the best aspects of Warsaw International Church is the diverse set of backgrounds making up the congregation. We have members from around the world, and anyone is very welcome to attend our services.
The congregation consists of members who have been attending for years, visitors to Warsaw, students, travellers on business, native Poles – the list goes on.
People come from various Christian denominations, bringing unique opportunities to explore and develop their faith. We also have members who have found faith in Jesus Christ through our church.
The Church Council
The Church Council is elected by members of the congregation and is responsible for managing our church. It meets about once a month to handle financial, program, calendar and other ongoing matters.
The Council appoints, as needed, either standing committees or one-off task forces to do more detailed planning and execution of church events.
The nature of an international congregation is that many of our most active members leave Poland after a few years. That means there is a constant need for new leaders to come forward and volunteer their gifts and skills to the congregation.
2023 Church Council
• President - Issayas Techane
• Vice-President - Renata Jabłczyńska
• Treasurer - Piotr Dypczynski
• Member - Mark Asamoah
• Member - Arthur Gil
• Member - Boriana Rendak
• Member - Ayomide Ojo
• Non-Council Attender - Pastor Harry Irrgang
How to become a church member
Warsaw International Church would love to have you as a member. Keeping our membership rates up helps keep the church in good standing with the Polish government. There is no need to worry about this membership clashing with your home church membership, as we are entirely a non-denominational international church. If you wish to become a member, please click the email link below and send the requested information. Also, try to ensure you speak with the Pastor after one of the services.
Become a member
Visit Us
New to Warsaw or a long-term resident? Searching for an English-speaking congregation? No matter who you are, we warmly welcome you to our worship service. Join us for a day or make Warsaw International Church your home away from home.
Sunday Service
Worship every Sunday at 11:00 am. Entrance to the church on Schillera Street; church service on the 2nd floor. Fellowship hour after worship service. Enjoy tea, coffee, snacks, and conversation with the congregation.
Bible Study
Join us for our Fellowship Group on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month for Bible study, prayer, and meaningful discussions about Scripture. All are welcome, regardless of your knowledge level or familiarity with Bible study. Come learn with us!
Prayer Meeting
Join our Fellowship Group every Friday at 1 Willowa Street to share your prayer needs and pray for them and for each other, as well as for spiritual growth and revival. The church that prays together stays together! Learn how to pray corporately with us!