Like many other European peoples, Poles have a long history in North America. Migrations have taken place for over 200 years. As a result, many people of Polish ancestral descent have assimilated and to a large extent no longer adhere to the socio-cultural-linguistic norms that makeup a unique Pole identity. Nevertheless, other Poles have not assimilated and still adhere to Polish socio-cultural elements plus use Polish as their primary language at home.
One of the most notable in size of the urban Pole enclaves in North America is the Chicago metro area. In fact, Chicago metro are is home to the largest Polish city outside of Poland. The vast majority of Poles is concentrated along the city's Northwest and Southwest Sides, along Milwaukee Avenue and Archer Avenue, respectively. Chicago's Taste of Polonia festival is celebrated at the Copernicus Foundation, in Jefferson Park, every Labor Day weekend.
As in Poland, the majority of Poles claim Roman Catholicism as their religious adherence. Historically, less than 5% of Americans who identify as Polish would state any other religion but Roman Catholic. Hence, Poles are well over 95% Roman Catholic with another 3-4% adhering to secularism. Hence, Poles constitute one of the least reached people groups in North America.
Prayer Points
A need exists among evangelical churches and Christian for intentional engaging Poles that leads to church planting.
Pray for evangelical North Americans of Polish ancestral descent to take the message of Jesus Christ to the Poles.
Pray for the small minority of evangelical Poles to share the message of Christ bold and clearly.
Learning Resources
Learn more about "Learning Paths" Online Courses for embracing, encountering and engaging diaspora people. Work at your own pace. Begin anytime and complete the course according to your schedule. Interactive, Hands-On Application.
Learn more about "Reaching the Nations" This book delineates five disciplines Christians should develop in order to effectively reach the nations. More specifically, it will guide Christians to develop an engagement strategy in their locale.
"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb."