By Dawn Eaton, Tyndale House Publishers

Exhausting—yet completely refreshing. That’s how I’d describe my week in Poland on Tyndale’s company mission trip in June.

At Tyndale House Publishers, we seek to continue our founder Kenneth Taylor’s legacy of radical generosity. From the very beginning, he gave away company profits to support Christian ministries around the world. That continues today through the Tyndale Foundation, which supports Bible translation, literature distribution, leadership training, and humanitarian aid.

This summer, I had the chance to see it firsthand while serving with one of our partners, Impact Poland.

First Impressions of Poland

Flying into Poznań, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I looked out the plane window and saw wide stretches of farmland and forests. That first day was filled with sunshine and perfect temperatures but also a sobering stop at Fort VII, Poland’s first concentration camp. This jarring juxtaposition of rich beauty and traumatizing heartache was a precursor to what we began to learn about Poland’s long, complex history—marked by war, foreign rule, and spiritual darkness yet filled with resilient people who embody warmth, strength, and hospitality.

During our stay, we also explored Poznań’s colorful Old Town, with its beautifully restored square, ornate Fara Church, and, of course, savoring hearty Polish meals.

Lake EPIC

Our main destination was Lake EPIC (Evangelical Poland Impact Center), a recently purchased camp 35 minutes outside of Poznań. Upon arrival, I was once again struck by the contrast of this beautiful, peaceful lakeside setting against the reality of structures built (and last renovated) during the communist era.

Our job? Help get the place ready. After a little demolition (yes, it was as fun as it sounds!), we got to work sanding, painting, pounding, hauling debris, and then sanding and painting some more. For a bunch of pampered office workers, it was a sweaty, messy experience but also incredibly rewarding. By the end of each day, we were covered in dirt and paint splatters, but we laughed, swapped stories, and felt the joy of working shoulder-to-shoulder with our colleagues as well as our Polish brothers and sisters in Christ.

Through the leadership of Andrew Gorski, president of Impact Poland and leader of Evangelical Poland, our team caught the vision for what this lakeside property will become: the first Christian training center in northwest Poland where pastors, leaders, and young believers will be equipped for ministry, where summer camps (already sold out for 2026) will nurture faith, and where people will experience healing, restoration, and growth.

The Church in Poland

We were also privileged to worship at Amazing Grace Church, one of the few evangelical churches in Poland. Singing familiar melodies in Polish reminded me that God’s family stretches across languages and cultures. As we shared stories with members of the church, I was struck by those who first encountered Christ simply by reading Scripture—drawn to faith by the Spirit and the Word, before even meeting another believer. Listening to these stories, I thought of Tyndale’s mission: “to open God’s Word to as many as possible in a language they can relate to and understand.” And here it was, unfolding right in front of me.

One of the most moving conversations I had was with a woman from Kyiv. She recounted the night of a February 2022 bombing from her family’s 20th-floor apartment and her escape from Ukraine with her then 12-year-old son. Even now, her husband remains in Ukraine, but she has found safety and belonging at Amazing Grace Church in Poland. It was an honor to pray with her as she continues to wrestle with an uncertain future and the possibility of returning home.

Later that week, our team joined Street Church, a Thursday-night inter-denominational outreach that has been meeting faithfully for over a decade. Rain or shine, believers gather to worship, pray for the sick, share food and testimonies, and offer the love of Christ to anyone who passes by. Their unwavering commitment challenges and inspires me.

What I Brought Home, Besides Polish Pottery

This trip was amazing, and though it sounds cliché – I came home with more than I contributed. Here are a few of the most meaningful things I brought back:

• A renewed reminder that while our cultures and stories differ, we serve the same God—the same Savior who brings light into dark places.
• A deep sense of connection with brothers and sisters in Christ across the ocean, and genuine inspiration from their stories of transformation and their faithful commitment to reach their nation.
• A set of powerful examples of servant leadership, watching leaders humbly step aside to serve and empower others to lead.
• A lasting impression of grit and perseverance, seeing my colleagues tackle uncomfortable, dirty work without complaint.
• Deeper relationships with colleagues—formed not through work titles, but through shared faith stories, meals, and the camaraderie of solving problems side by side.
• Spirit-filled prayer moments with the women on our team, whether walking the campgrounds or pausing to lift one another up.

Yes, I came home exhausted—but also deeply refreshed. I experienced the beauty of the body of Christ in action, and I return with a renewed appreciation for Tyndale’s generosity and its lasting impact around the world.