WALKING WITH GOD
Prayerfully Walking in Spain
Friendship Evangelism Connecting Hearts to Christ
- Adam Cole // December 16, 2009
Dwight, as Santa, ministers in a Madrid suburb by "friendship evangelsim." © Adam Cole 2009
Christmas Party in Madrid for the children learning English and about God. © Adam Cole 2009
Why Spain? I can’t really say for certain…but more of just a wonder…and an opportunity to dip into a Spanish speaking country in the heart of Europe whose culture, architecture and food are world-renowned – and to see how God is moving in such a culture, how he is reaching those that seem to have it all and those that can hardly make ends meet (like some of the North Africa/Moroccan people here).
Within such an atmosphere of splendor of every variety, God is an afterthought here in Spain. While the majority of the people claim to be Catholic, they simultaneously rank their faith as a low priority and rarely attend worship (mass). The culture is one without a moral benchmark…anything goes here (including women in the nude promoting hand bags on billboards). Missionaries are often ostracized if overly open about their ‘mission’ and worse yet, are getting squeezed out by the weakening dollar against the euro. Spain is in need of a revival, indeed. Please get down on your knees with me today and pray for this country. My first day, I linked with Dwight (his last name omitted for the sake of any negative ramifications that might follow for him being public about his ministry), who ministers in a Madrid suburb. He calls his work friendship evangelism, done in the form of connecting with locals and letting Christ reflect on them. It equates to a lot of coffee time and allowing God to work ever-so-surely in the hearts of people they meet with and grow close to. They do still hold a house Bible study/church but it is done in a way that is genuinely come-as-you-are. English teaching is an outreach that is an extension of their relationship-building mentality. On my first day here, I was able to attend a Christmas party for about 50 children they teach English to. Lots of games and food abounded and the story of Christmas (as presented by the Gospel) was shared to the kids; the party ended without an altar call, nor any personal invitation to accept Jesus Christ but seeds were planted, and they continue to be planted out of love of neighbor. Please continue to pray as God moves!
Adam Cole
Living for God - sharing His love throughout the earth.
This authory is a former party boy who discovered Jesus Christ at what was a crashing rock bottom moment, and is now a naval officer living for His glory.