Pierre and Hanna Jutras
Poland

Significant Dates:

· Appointed to ministry in Poland, June 2003.

· Departed for field July 2005.

Biographical Information:

Pierre was raised in a loving Catholic family in Quebec. Pierre recalls, “I learned good values and education through my parents, good schools and religious education.” As Pierre grew he realized that his religious education never communicated the Gospel and never provided him with the opportunity to change his life and to find forgiveness in Christ.

However, it was during Pierre’s first year at the University of Montreal when Martin, Pierre’s brother, came to faith in Christ as a result of campus ministry at the college he attended. Conversations with his brother during those trips made him feel uncomfortable. Pierre finally accepted an invitation from his brother to attend a movie night at his church. “The movie, testimonies and preaching convicted me of my need of repentance and of Jesus Christ. I was struck by the seriousness of Jesus’ words from Matthew 10:32-33: ‘Therefore whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.’” Two weeks later, in his room with a small Gideon New Testament in his hands he knelt down and asked the Lord to forgive him and save him.

Upon completion of his studies in Chemical Engineering, Pierre became involved in the Christian campus ministry. Three years later he enrolled at École Théologique Baptiste de Québec and then pursued his Master’s at Northwest Baptist Seminary (ACTS) in Langley, BC.

Hanna was born in Warsaw, Poland, into a Christian family. As a young person Hanna attended a youth camp run by Child Evangelism Fellowship and the Evangelical Free Church in Poland. She recalls that it was during one of the Bible times that she understood the assurance of her salvation was not dependent on her, or on her good life, or on anything that she would do in life. Jesus had died for her and she could humbly accept His gift and then live in His strength.

Upon completion of studies at the University of Marie Curie in Lublin, Hanna studied at a Bible school in Warsaw. The Lord graciously opened the door allowing her the opportunity to continue her studies in Canada. After graduating with her Bachelors in Theology, she was invited to become involved in ministry at a church in Vancouver. It was while Hanna was pursuing additional studies at Trinity Western University that she met Pierre. Pierre and Hanna were married in September 1999. The Lord has developed in them a deep burden and passion to see people come to faith in Christ. They have left for Poland in July 2005.

The Lord has opened before them open doors to be involved in evangelism via camp ministry in the area of Warsaw and Zamosc. Since January 2008 they have been involved in a new church plant in south Warsaw. Some key mature Christians have also been added to their church family, providing for them leaders to be prepared to eventually become responsible for the growing church.