letter from Spain
It started as a normal Friday. We had gathered in the rented church building in Benidorm to remember our Lord’s death with the breaking of the bread - a service which we held every Friday morning. It was just a small gathering but we are always aware that we are honouring Christ and always expectant for lives to be changed.
About 20 were about to start worshipping the Lord when a young lady walked in. She was bilingual with an English mother and Spanish father - one of the thousands of similar individuals along Spain’s famous Costa Blanca.
Louisa's attendance was not that unusual as we often had such unexpected visitors. Many pass by our doors on the way to Benidorm’s famous Levante beach. She was welcomed warmly by the greeters and shown to a seat beside one of the ladies from the church. In tears, she obviously needed some direction, guidance and hope.
Throughout the service she sobbed quietly as songs were sung, the Scriptures were opened and bread and wine were shared. As it drew to a close, it was obvious that the Holy Spirit was at work in her life. I prayed the benediction and issued an invitation to any who wanted to give their lives to Christ to make their way to the front. On her feet, sobbing but with a sense of expectation, Louisa was soon standing in front of the gathered congregation and trusted Christ as her Saviour. There and then she started a brand-new life.
That day marked a turning point. She quickly had to deal with some life issues; and with the help of the church and the impact of the regular preaching of God‘s word, she started to grow as a believer. It is not easy in Spain - there are many distractions and temptations for young believers and the culture and lifestyle can easily lead to an undisciplined and unstructured lifestyle.
But her family noticed a change. Later, she introduced her mother to the church fellowship and a few months later her dear mum followed her example and, at the end of a Sunday morning worship service, also trusted Christ as her Saviour.
None of this is headline grabbing in a town like Benidorm. Obscene behaviour, bawdy songs or general decadence are what are written about. But such events as a young lady and her mum finding Christ cause great rejoicing in heaven. Why is mission important? Not so that we can have intricate discussions about missiology. Rather, we do it because people are lost and because the name of Christ is trashed.
But when faithful people gather in Jesus' name significant things happen. Pastors and missionaries must look after the process but the outcome is God’s business. Jesus has promised to build His church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. That promise is valid anywhere - even in Benidorm!
