Name: Jose Pablo

Organization: Decision

Decision is an organization of evangelical Christians committed to evangelism, which is at the service of the evangelical churches of Spain to help them in their tasks of evangelism and discipleship.

Contact: http://www.e-decision.org/English/index.htm

Missionary: Tony Vasquez

Mission organization: CAM international / Cristar

Contact info: tonylatinlink@yahoo.com 

Peter Clark is brilliant man. I will write more about him later. for now email me for questions.

I had the privilege of preaching in this church this last July. In this podcast you will hear from Jose Fajardo, the lead pastor of this church. He is from the Free-Methodist denomination. Jose has not only established and exciting church but is also leading an inner city ministry to the poor in downtown Madrid. 

Church Name: Comunidad Cristiana

Pastors: Jose Fajardo & Angel Gargoles

Contact Jose jfajardom@aol.com

Over this last summer, I have been in transition with travel and moving from my family. In addition these transitions I have been contemplating the future of churchpod.  What first started as a seminary independent study had turned into an online full time ministry. After much prayer and consideration I am convinced that churchpod should go on for now.

Currently, I am in the process of recruiting other prospective church planters that are trying to educate themselves on their journey.  If you are interested, in being a churchpod field explorer please email me at ricemininstry@gmail.com

For now, I will conclude our research on Spain

Ryan Rice

Podcast description: Bill Bogges,  is a church planter with Team Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) and has been in church planting in Europe for almost 25 years. He spoke at Dallas Theological Seminary conference for his 9 principles of church planting.  This interview is helpful for any and all interested in church planting in Europe.

 Here are eight of my key observations that I took particular note on:

1. It took on average 15 years to start a church in France
2. Get the church planted....Stay focused on church planting....they axed some programs!
3. Long-term relationships are vital for church planting!
4. Study the culture...be a learner...study hard!
5. Go for the cities!--- plant in big cities...* I like that...He says, 80% of the population is in the cities! Many plant in rural areas.
6. Heart Language of the churches....need to be national...
7. Evaluate what kind of time line you are going into....sowing seeds, or harvesting... some places are not ready for a mass revival.
8. Work with other churches!

I thought his points were accurate and practical...each major country within Europe will vary...but these were good general principles for European church planting.  

Ed Gudeman has been working in Spain since 1995. His main responsibilities include teaching, mentoring, and leading the WorldVenture Spain field. He has an MDiv from Denver Seminary and lives in Madrid with his wife Sheryl and their three kids.

podcast description: Ed provides hope for the mission worker/ church planter. Some practical take homes that I gleaned from the interview were:

1.     Teaching and training in a theological context can be very sustaining

2.     Serving the local Spanish church should be your first step

3.     Your paradigm and expectations should and will be challenged

4.     Reading books to prepare is very helpful

5.     Spending time in the country is invaluable as well

email: esgudeman@worldventure.net 

web: http://www.worldventure.com

Podcast description: Interview covers the issues of Islam in Europe. Is it a threat or opportunity? Doug was a speaker at Dallas Theological Seminary's "World Evangelization Conference." Hear the interview for resources and the overview of this subject. More info. will come later for more questions email riceministry@gmail.com

I wanted to share this with you while I wait for the other podcasts to finish being edited.

This was an awesome Christian Music Festival with a record-breaking attendance. There were to my knowledge 8,000 plus people there from all over Spain. It was an inspiring evening with brothers and sisters from all over the country. The goal was to build Christian Unity! They hit their goal. Great Music and Good News!

I must share that this was the moment, that I sensed God's clear call upon my life to consider missions as a way of life. 

Podcast description: This podcast is  amost hear for any and all those wanting to do ministry in Spain. Juan’s experience is first hand. Having been there over 40 years. Juan gives mission workers a strong challenge come if there is God given conviction and clear call upon their life. Juan warns the easy come easy go mission worker to not try Spain. Spain is and has been one the most difficult places to plant a church. Juan gives four clear  challenges.

1. GIFTED AND CALLED: Spain needs people that are fit for the mission 

2. TRAINING: Don’t come with a lack of training!

3. REPUTATION: Missionary failure can send a negative message to missions!  

   4.  STEWARDSHIP: Money is often wasted with no vision and call 

Ministry Background: Juan Blake is a member of an interdenominational (Baptistic) church in Madrid.  He is retired from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and is their rep for Spain, at age 74, he is thankful to still be pretty much full time, volunteer in several different ministries. 

He currently works with Decision ministries/Spain.  Decision is an organization of evangelical Christians committed to evangelism, which is at the service of the evangelical churches of Spain to help them in their tasks of evangelism and discipleship. The purpose is to collaborate with local churches, denominations and missions to establish new evangelical churches in all of the towns in Spain.  As part of this basic purpose, we are working to see a church established in every municipality with more than 5,000 inhabitants by the year 2012 (see the municipalities without testimony).

In additional to his involvement with the BGEA as representative,  he has also served as the city coordinator for the Palau Festival here in Madrid a couple years ago and has co-labored with him on all of his visits to Spain, but have no official connection.

Contact info: http://www.edecision.org/English/index.htm 

juanblake@e-decision.org

podcast description: Jeff Anderson came to church plant but God had another plan!Jeff is the one of the founding members Contracorriente Ministries which is a ministry that  seeks to inspire a generation of young people to be passionate about living the teachings of Jesus Christ in their culture. The ministry is located in Santander, Spain and can be found on the web at www.contracorriente.org Jeff is from Chicago and offers many tips for churchplanters. A few of my favorites are

1. Many Spanish churches don't have much for their youth
2. Video and Audio are a big need for the younger youth churches
3. Camps and summer programs are great resources for churches  

Jeff and his family are meeting a major need in Spain. The youth culture is hurting and in great need for guidance.  Jeff is also a part of another youth ministry called La Industria (www.la-industria.org).  It is a 9-month discipleship program which focuses on the arts and faith. As a church planter headed to Spain I am planning to keep a strong connection with this guy to better learn how to serve the young people of Spain.

contact info: jcanderson@contracorriente.orgI look forward to seeing Jeff and his family this summer-Ryan

Podcast description: Josue Fajardo and Tony Vasquez have taken a personal interest in this needy area of the city.  Lavapies is one of the neediest and most ethnically diverse communities of Greater Madrid. Listen to Josue Fajardo (Church Planter) as he walks us through the city and shows us the needs and future vision of this outreach in the city. At the time of the interview, the ministry was a vision, that had not yet come to fruition. I do not know the current status of the ministry contact Josue for the details.

I found this interview helpful to understand the cultural diversity of the city and the churches. For any church to reach inner city Madrid, Lavapies is the hotspot for the down and out hurting and helpless. If you are compelled by this interview to be involved with this kind of ministry, do it! Get involved and conisder the call.

Contact info: Josue Fajardo is a Methodist Church Planter in Madrid his church while in the suburbs. jfajardom@aol.com

FYI: The picture I posted is an example of the modern architecture throughout Madrid.The Salem church is not yellow and I do not currently have a photo of it; but it's very modern as well.

Background of the Church:  Teaching Pastor, Jose Luis is a key leader to this  booming church in Madrid. The church has been around for 20 plus years and hit a turning point when it began to integrate the Purpose Driven Strategies from Saddleback Church. http://www.purposedriven.com 

The church today is in a new facility and is continuing to grow. The church service runs roughly around 1,000 plus people throughout the weekend.  

Background of Interview: Miguel was the one who invited Jose Luis to the Purpose Driven conference some years ago. They have continued their relationship still today. It was fun to do this interview because it was conducted in between services in a small room next to the sanctuary. You can hear the racket in the background and the charged worship team as well. It all adds to the experience.

I wanted to share this with you while I wait for the other podcasts to finish being edited.

This was an awesome Christian Music Festival with a record-breaking attendance. There were to my knowledge 8,000 plus people there from all over Spain. It was an inspiring evening with brothers and sisters from all over the country. The goal was to build Christian Unity! They hit their goal. Great Music and Good News!

I must share a humorous one particular moment. I glanced across the crowd, taking note of the flags representing different provinces throughout Spain. Then it caught me. In highflying colors was the Lone Star, Texas Flag! A proud cowgirl was waving it while running through the crowd, laughing and being applauded by her Texan friends!

I thought to myself, "Only a Texan would have the pride and audacity to wave their flag in this festival."  

Pastor / Missionary:   Dallas Theological Seminary, 1977; Th.M., Missionary in Spain, 1981 presently working with CAM International

Location: North Madrid

Interview Description: Steve’s work is unique to my research in that he is very calculated and clear in his ministry approach to Spain. His contribution to my studies has been his efforts towards reaching the National Spaniards. I would describe him as an American guy with a Spaniards heart. He offers a clear exhortation for guy’s like myself to understand the culture and church history. This interview helps. Steve will help anyone seeking church planting / mission work in Spain. He is known as an excellent Bible teacher, and Pastor he has a love and passion for the National Spaniard and the country itself.

Contact: email: esterodemann@gmail.com