KATOWICE (ANS) -- The response to the evangelistic campaign ProChrist in Poland has overwhelmed the organizers. Approximately 20,000 visitors began a new life in Christ.

Roughly 80,000 took part in the event April 6 – 13. Programs were transmitted via TV satellite from Katowice in Southern Poland to 103 venues in the whole country.

More than 26,700 persons flocked to the sports arena “Spondek” in Katowice to witness the Polish programs. Only the sermons by German evangelist Ulrich Parzany were translated. Roughly 10,600 decisions for Christ were registered in Katowice alone.

During the closing night Parzany asked only those to come forward who wished to make a decision to follow Christ for the first time in their life. As a result, 1,500 went to the cross near the platform.

Parzany said he had never witnessed such a strong response. 2,000 visitors asked for spiritual counseling.

The evangelist also praised the cooperation among churches in Katowice. 52 local churches in the vicinity of the city with 320,000 inhabitants will offer spiritual follow-up courses.

Parzany is deeply impressed with the fact that he was invited to speak in Poland. With respect to the heavy burden caused by the Nazi era he regarded the invitation as a “special gift” and a “deeply felt sign of reconciliation and affection”.

ProChrist in Poland was a joint venture of Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist churches in cooperation with the regional Ecumenical Council as well as the Catholic Fokolar Movement and the initiative “Light and Life”.

ProChrist started in 1993, when Billy Graham preached in Essen, Germany. Since then five major international campaigns have been held with Parzany. More than 1,250 venues in Europe were involved in 2006, when ProChrist was transmitted from Munich.