Mark G. White
Chemical Engineering
Mississippi State
Marek Bialwy.
That’s a literal translation of my name into Polish. I was given the pseudonym during my most recent visit to Poland. I never thought that country would become such a part of my life.
My first brush with short missionary trips was as part of our church’s outreach to Haiti when my wife and I lived in Atlanta. This experience was the customary physical work coupled with ministry that has become so popular among some churches in the U.S.
Attracted..And Frightened
But when Rae Mellichamp asked me in 2004 to go to Poland during my spring break, I was excited and anxious about the opportunity. What attracted me most was the opportunity for ministry in the Polish academy to believers and non-believers alike. What frightened me the most was the opportunity for ministry in the Polish academy to believers and non-believers alike!
The goal of the trip was to initiate relationships with Christian colleagues at Polish universities. We would help them to find research funding and to establish groups of Christian faculty in their home institutions. By giving seminars in our research areas, we could establish our credibility as researchers. In subsequent visits I have further developed these professional relationships, which has allowed us to talk about other issues.
On one occasion I was interviewed by a senior Polish professor on how I reconciled my faith with my scientific pursuits. This was an occasion where the Holy Spirit led me to answer not only the questions put to me , but also to give my personal testimony and to witness to the professor and his younger assistant.
Sharing About My Spiritual Journey
On another occasion, I was the featured speaker at a Favorite Faculty Luncheon. Christian students invited non-Christian faculty to lunch, and I gave a short talk entitled “Does Chance Have a Chance?” I explained how I had come to know Christ, and how they could as well.
Afterwards, I was approached by a young instructor who was a non-believer but who was interested in what I had to say. We have continued to communicate for the past two years and he is presently studying for a graduate degree in a nearby university.
This past summer I went to Poland to build stronger relationships with their Faculty Commons staff members. I was one of the featured speakers at their retreat on the Baltic Sea, and spent many hours getting to know these co-workers in Christ.
Going back there now has become like visiting close relatives. Not only is it very easy for my wife and I to use the trains, buses, local stores and hotels; we have become very close with the FC staff members who act as our hosts.
It is now like our second home. So in May we will return to Poland, again.
© 2007 Mark White