Rafał Ślęzak – Bielsko-Biała

Since everyone is talking about the most favorite way of spending time… For me it’s time after a community camp, which I usually run together with my wife from the organizational side and it is a big logistical challenge, when it’s already after and we go somewhere on holidays, beach, chillout… then we take notes from the camp, go back to what we’ve learned, to discoveries, now we think it over and talk together, about what moves us, what we dream of. Sometimes it was possible to involve our sons, although they live more and more on their own. It’s only a one week of the year, but it’s by far the most favourite time.

Although there are also many other wonderful “times”. I’m a type of person who feels good in a situation where you have to grasp many complicated things in parallel, by the same time it is in my nature to look for people who could be drawn into taking care of the details. That would probably cause a huge mess, if God did not intervene That’s how I see it. I take God’s promises in the Bible one hundred percent seriously, like the statement that He gives wisdom, because He is the only source of true wisdom in the universe. I admire God, the Great Logistician, for how splendidly He coordinates everything. I have received the nickname “Breakwater” from my mentor, so I have something to grow up for.

These are wonderful moments when I may cooperate with others on the challenge of building our church center in Bielsko-Biała, dozens of hours of negotiations with companies or internal meetings in order not to neglect anything. Despite the hard work it is terrific, how we manage to work together, in what style, what incredible bonds, what effects…

And the goal that guides us to create CECC. We strive for standards that will allow us, for example, to make magnificent music events. This is what I really dream of. As well as the fact that young talents, revealed in our community, will get a chance to have a strong influence the Gospel music scene in our country.

Yet there is something even more wonderful. I was given the opportunity to experience particular care in my life when I was very lost. Although superficially all my needs were met to an extent that most can only dream of, I was a lost person. However, I have experienced direction. I see no better comparison than the image of Jesus who took care of the disciples.

This is a good moment to talk about my reference to the Fundamental Plan, to the essence of the Christianity.

When I think of my search for the truth about the Person of Christ, I have the impression that it was rather God who was seeking me, using different people. On my part there were growing needs, confusion, burning uncertainty, frustration. Although people around me said that it is necessary to get used to it and rather take care of education and career, I was unable to feel satisfaction, constantly looking for answers it in various Christian circles.

One winter day, at the entrance of the cinema theatre in Bielsko-Biala, where some Christian music event was held, a man came up to me, whom I did not recognize at first because of his winter hat. It was Gregory. I was once at a Bible circle in his house. He told me to come and it was a little bit like Jesus called His disciples.

After some time, I revealed my dilemmas. We read together the Four Spiritual Laws (Fundamental Plan). I made a decision, I invited Christ. I understood that although He is looking for me and knocking on my life, I am the one who must want to open as a result of trust, otherwise nothing will happen. Although I had already invited Christ to my life several times before, now with full awareness and determination. God has used someone again – I see it this way – and has put me on a new path. Slowly, frustration and uncertainty began to give way to trust and confidence.

People often run, seemingly have a goal, a sense, but in fact they experience loss. There is no one to help. They do not experience this personal care and direction. They often don’t want it, they want to come to everything by themselves, but before they succeed it in the end of life. It moves me. I would like to help, as I have experienced help myself. Also, in conversations with my sons. When they ask what I think, it gives me a lot of joy. Teenagers don’t want to talk in general, and I managed to have some great conversations with my sons.

The need to be directed, cared for. Be ready to help as someone helped me. Long-term action, 3 years at minimum. But the fruits are very encouraging. Almost indestructible ties. It is not possible to help many, only a few, but when they experience it and follow this pattern, the geometric function is activated, multiplication is born.

These are the wonderful moments when one of people under my care in the small group I lead says: “Now I’m relieved!” He has just discovered another principle of God’s Word.

My dreams? So that more people would be ready for such a direction. I dream of them carrying it further, even to the ends of the earth. There is no wind in the sails yet, but it is already in my dreams. I feel very privileged that this is how I ended up in life. I would very much like this model to become popular.

Look, I’ve already written so much, and I haven’t touched yet the sphere to which I devote relatively the most time! My occupation.

About a year ago, while browsing the Internet, I came across a website edited by a retired prosecutor. And what do I see? Quote from the Bible, from Ecclesiastes 7: “Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise”. Hm…. Why is the US law enforcement system so shaped, and not different? Societies that are closer to God’s Word have wisdom also at the legislative level. They know what works and what is fiction.

Another quotation from the same book of Ecclesiastes 8 states that one of the causes of crime is that sentences are not executed immediately after the act. During an expedition to New York, when I had the opportunity to visit the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Manhattan, as well as to attend several court hearings, I saw and heard how quickly the trial could proceed. From deed to adjudication. This is a very short time.

This seems to me to be a goal worth pursuing. As prosecutors, we act in the interests of the victims. We exist for victims to protect their legal rights (although we also need to have mercy for the perpetrators so that they will receive help in entering a better path). Can victims count on efficient law enforcement agencies? Is Poland already one of the most developed systems? I see a lot ti improve.

I try to move around the world and watch. Germany, Paris, Czech Republic, Brussels …. Germany has a model of a strong, centralized and specialized criminal police for a large area instead of many smaller ones. The same applies to the prosecutor’s office. The execution of sentences is carried out by the prosecutor’s office, which means that the offender treats the prosecutor differently. At the same time, working closely with NGOs to help perpetrators, especially teenagers, to get on a better path. In New York, in some departments, prosecutors, police officers and experts work on the same floor. Like three lanes. And so on and on.

I dream of having an influence on law enforcement agencies in Poland to act the best in the world. Promptitude, comfort of work, independence of decisions, so that the outcome of the investigation would not be affected by non-substantive matters. When a man with a vision appears, a statesman who would care about it, I would be happy to help. Instilling visions, breaking stereotypes, preparing solutions …

Until the most favorite way of spending time we still have … In the meantime, there will probably be a lot of new things to come. But I’m supposed to practice as the Breakwater!

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Rafał Ślęzak, prosecutor, studied law at the University of Silesia. Happy husband and father of two wonderful sons.