Poland and Czech Republic | Inter-European and Trans-European (TED and EUD) Divisions
Source: The Health Connection Newsletter | 1st Quarter 2025
Pastors, church leaders, health professionals and other lay members came together in Eastern Europe to learn helpful ways to build trusting relationships with people through coaching skills. They attended the Lifestyle Coaching Skills workshop developed by General Conference Health Ministries, offered in Poland for the first time from October 4-6, 2024. The training was held at the church’s retreat and training center in Wisla and was sponsored by the Polish Union. The second training took place in the Czech Republic from October 18-20, 2024, at a beautiful lodge and conference center in Strazovice and was sponsored by the Czech-Slovakia Union. Participants learned why coaching is important for ministry and discipleship, and how it aligns with biblical values following in Jesus’ method of ministry. Topics included skills for listening well, asking powerful questions of people leading them to reflect about their life/health priorities and assisting people to become self-motivated to grow in whole person health by designing a lifestyle change plan. Participants left inspired and enthusiastic about walking beside people through the process of change and building positive relationships that can lead spiritual conversations opening the door for discipleship.
