Spain's Health

Another view of the state of Spain's Spiritual Health:

From: Religion Today Summaries
<http://us.f819.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=Religion_Today_Summaries@crosswalkmail.com&YY=66062&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b>
Date: Wednesday, 01 June, 2005 10:06 AM
Subject: Crosswalk - Religion Today Summaries for June 1, 2005
Missionary: Western Europe's Darkness Foreshadows America's Spiritual
Decline <http://www.crosswalkmail.com/qielepz_jckwccc.html>
Chad Groening, AgapePress
A Southern Baptist missionary stationed in Madrid, Spain, contends that
Western Europe is currently the hardest mission field on Earth. A
32-year-old Christian worker says the hostility to Christianity has
become
so severe in Europe. He is responsible for ministering to missionary
children throughout Western Europe and for taking part in evangelistic
efforts. He says it is a tough place to share the gospel. The region is
marked by "a spiritual deadness that you can't believe," he notes. The
American missionary believes Europe can be viewed as a sort of
bellwether
for the future cultural and spiritual scene in the U.S. "Living in
Europe,"
he says, "I see Europe as probably 50 years ahead of where the U.S. is
going
spiritually. In Madrid, the Spanish equivalent of the House of
Representatives just legalized same-sex marriages." What has descended
on
Western Europe, he asserts, is "just a spiritual darkness." He says
most
people see churches or cathedrals as just "the buildings and nothing
else.
They are empty on Sunday morning. There's no spiritual sensitivity
whatsoever." Nevertheless, he remains prayerful and determined, ever
grateful for his opportunity to learn and serve in what feels to him
like
"the hardest mission field in the world."

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Hanging out with town kids

Anna (pictured here) and Josiah made friends with many local kids. Here she's at a local celebration in Olivares, Spain in February 2004.

Church Planting in Olivares

Church Planting in Olivares
Originally uploaded by hanch6.

Olivares is a small town on the outskirts of Sevilla, in the south of Spain. There is no church that proclaims to gospel of Christ. The group pictured here has decided to change that. Established in January, 2003, we gather to pray, worship, and study God's Word to prepare ourselves to begin a Christian church in Olivares. May God bless the work!

Memorial Day USA

MemDay Parade, Neenah, WI sm
Originally uploaded by hanch6.

As we're back in the USA for Home Assignment, we had the privilege today of attending a local Memorial Day parade. What a joy! Seeing hundreds come out to cheer on those who have given of themselves to protect the freedoms that we have as Americans! By contrast, in Spain we saw shame and derision poured down on those who chose to serve the Spanish military with their lives. What a shame.

There is great value in honoring freedom. One must understand its cost and be willing to pay the price. Spiritual freedom also required the cost of God's own Son Jesus. He paid the price so we could be free to enjoy a relationship with the Creator. This is the message we seek to share with the Spanish people.

Would even St. Paul be received today?

How sad. Spain is one of only three modern-day European countries mentioned in New Testament of the Bible, yet today biblical literacy in Spain is nil. Today's average Spaniard could not even find the reference... even if they could find a Bible. The apostle Paul told the Corinthians of his great desire to visit Spain. Did he make it? We don't know. The secular mindset is spreading across Europe and Spain wants to be at the forefront of receiving it. If St. Paul would to show up today in the Port of Malaga, would anybody even care?

Oh, that we would send Godly men and women into this beautiful land of Spain to love the people, demonstrate and practice God's love and mercy, and share His love with them.

Yes, there are some there now. We have good friends doing just that in Malaga, in Seville, in Torremolinos and Marbella, Madrid, Barcelona, and Bilbao. Missionaries and pastors who have given part of their lives to share that love. Thank You! We'll be back to join you soon! Keep up the good work! But there is so much need for more full-time workers.

For now, we're drumming up more support and interest in the wonderful land of Spain and their Spiritual poverty. Can't wait to get back to the paella and tapas!