Art Expo for Refugees in Spain

Oasis Center in Madrid, Spain is an outreach to immigrants and refugees offering much practical help as they share living hope in Jesus. Ariel Rainey, AGWM personnel there tells of a special event held recently. “We offered an art exposition for a week this month, featuring artwork from several Spanish artists, donated for auction to benefit the Oasis refugee ministry. We were able to auction off several pieces, raising over 1000 Eurosand we'll still be collecting bids over time on other pieces.

“We have many ministries ongoing under the umbrella of "Oasis" and a significant part is our refugee ministry. Most of our refugee work is outside of the Oasis building; it's in the refugee centers, in our apartments over dinner, in the city of Madrid while we're helping refugees find jobs and apartments, or even over coffee while we talk about Jesus and pray together.

“This event gave our entire team a chance to operate in different gifts, whether painting "live" or serving our guests or doing the publicity and public relations. We all got to join together for a worthy cause - bringing the gospel to refugees.”

Oasis Center in Madrid, Spain is an outreach to immigrants and refugees offering much practical help as they share living hope in Jesus. Ariel Rainey, AGWM personnel there tells of a special event held recently.

“We offered an art exposition for a week this month, featuring artwork from several Spanish artists, donated for auction to benefit the Oasis refugee ministry. We were able to auction off several pieces, raising over 1000 Eurosand we'll still be collecting bids over time on other pieces.

“We have many ministries ongoing under the umbrella of "Oasis" and a significant part is our refugee ministry. Most of our refugee work is outside of the Oasis building; it's in the refugee centers, in our apartments over dinner, in the city of Madrid while we're helping refugees find jobs and apartments, or even over coffee while we talk about Jesus and pray together.

“This event gave our entire team a chance to operate in different gifts, whether painting "live" or serving our guests or doing the publicity and public relations. We all got to join together for a worthy cause - bringing the gospel to refugees.”

Coffee Shop Encounters in Barcelona

AGWM Personnel in Spain, Nick Seders, share this great testimony of God’s saving grace. “Several months ago, we noticed that a new coffee shop was to open below our office. We were excited by the possibility of convenient coffee and croissant runs but also the opportunity to intentionally welcome new people into the neighborhood. “As soon as the espresso machine and panini makers were firing on all 220 volts, our whole team went down to say hello and purchase some café con leche. We introduced ourselves as the ICB staff, pointed out our office just two buildings over, and told them to expect us back (because, honestly, they make some of the best coffee in the neighborhood)!

“Within days, the siblings that own the shop asked one of our teammates if we could come pray for the business and the space. Though not Christians themselves, their parents were Catholic, and they knew that it'd make them happy; plus, the previous business had closed because of a violent crime–so it couldn’t hurt to have a “priest” bless the place.

“A week or so later, we all went down after morning devotions, and gathered around a few tables to pray. Our teammate then asked the sister, brother, and sister-in-law how we could pray, and all of us took a moment to bless and intercede for them. The family was extremely grateful, and we were honored by the opportunity to pray–ultimately that the coffee shop would become a shining light for the community, even if the owners didn’t yet know what that would mean.

“In the following months, staff members could be found in the coffee shop almost daily. We would invite them to events and the sister-in-law did attend our Easter Egg Hunt with her toddler. Then this past Sunday, the sister came to our evening church gathering right after the shop closed. She was warmly welcomed. As the message came to a close, Pastor John gave the congregation an opportunity to respond in prayer, to make a decision to follow Jesus and receive a fresh start. Her hand went up immediately! We could all see how moved she was, with tear-filled eyes and a huge smile.

“On Tuesday, some of us went down to the coffee shop right away. When asked how she was doing, her response was, ‘Because of Sunday, I’m great!’ She was visibly excited by her new belief in Jesus, and couldn’t wait to tell others about the great things that are happening at the international church up the street. After three months of constant contact with Christ-followers, a member of the family has decided to follow Christ. That coffee shop is well on its way to becoming a shining light in Barcelona!

AGWM Personnel in Spain, Nick Seders, share this great testimony of God’s saving grace. “Several months ago, we noticed that a new coffee shop was to open below our office. We were excited by the possibility of convenient coffee and croissant runs but also the opportunity to intentionally welcome new people into the neighborhood.

“As soon as the espresso machine and panini makers were firing on all 220 volts, our whole team went down to say hello and purchase some café con leche. We introduced ourselves as the ICB staff, pointed out our office just two buildings over, and told them to expect us back (because, honestly, they make some of the best coffee in the neighborhood)!

“Within days, the siblings that own the shop asked one of our teammates if we could come pray for the business and the space. Though not Christians themselves, their parents were Catholic, and they knew that it'd make them happy; plus, the previous business had closed because of a violent crime–so it couldn’t hurt to have a “priest” bless the place.

“A week or so later, we all went down after morning devotions, and gathered around a few tables to pray. Our teammate then asked the sister, brother, and sister-in-law how we could pray, and all of us took a moment to bless and intercede for them. The family was extremely grateful, and we were honored by the opportunity to pray–ultimately that the coffee shop would become a shining light for the community, even if the owners didn’t yet know what that would mean.

“In the following months, staff members could be found in the coffee shop almost daily. We would invite them to events and the sister-in-law did attend our Easter Egg Hunt with her toddler. Then this past Sunday, the sister came to our evening church gathering right after the shop closed. She was warmly welcomed. As the message came to a close, Pastor John gave the congregation an opportunity to respond in prayer, to make a decision to follow Jesus and receive a fresh start. Her hand went up immediately! We could all see how moved she was, with tear-filled eyes and a huge smile.

“On Tuesday, some of us went down to the coffee shop right away. When asked how she was doing, her response was, ‘Because of Sunday, I’m great!’ She was visibly excited by her new belief in Jesus, and couldn’t wait to tell others about the great things that are happening at the international church up the street. After three months of constant contact with Christ-followers, a member of the family has decided to follow Christ. That coffee shop is well on its way to becoming a shining light in Barcelona!

By Prayer and Fasting in Spain

AGWM Personnel in Barcelona, Spain, Missionary Associates Nick and Kelly Seders, are excited at the result of the prayer emphasis at the International Church of Barcelona. Nick relates, “In January, the two of us worked very hard to create a 14-day journal, to guide our congregation through a time of intense prayer and fasting. We were so glad to see our brothers and sisters internalize the Word of God, as they expected him to respond to prayer and help them speak truth to their peers. Out of those two weeks came inspiring stories of university students introducing their friends to the Bible, ladies having Christ-centered conversations at work, and men witnessing in public.

“The prayer and fasting culminated in a new season of community groups (small group ministry). More than 20 groups are now meeting together! Having received the charge to oversee discipleship within the congregation, I hope to raise and equip leaders within that ministry, so that our community of faith begins to multiply itself throughout Barcelona in a movement of disciple-making.

“One thing I’ve implemented is a weekly Sunday Review – a discussion guide that helps leaders expound upon the most recent sermons, and explore the truth of the Gospel with their groups. This is helping people of all backgrounds engage the Word of God on a consistent basis!

Kelly is also instructing others in obedience to the Word, as she pastors the children that participate in ICBKids activities. Every Sunday, in coordination with a great team of volunteers, she leads the kids in worship, prayer, and the examination of Scripture.”

AGWM Personnel in Barcelona, Spain, Missionary Associates Nick and Kelly Seders, are excited at the result of the prayer emphasis at the International Church of Barcelona.

Nick relates, “In January, the two of us worked very hard to create a 14-day journal, to guide our congregation through a time of intense prayer and fasting. We were so glad to see our brothers and sisters internalize the Word of God, as they expected him to respond to prayer and help them speak truth to their peers. Out of those two weeks came inspiring stories of university students introducing their friends to the Bible, ladies having Christ-centered conversations at work, and men witnessing in public.

“The prayer and fasting culminated in a new season of community groups (small group ministry). More than 20 groups are now meeting together! Having received the charge to oversee discipleship within the congregation, I hope to raise and equip leaders within that ministry, so that our community of faith begins to multiply itself throughout Barcelona in a movement of disciple-making.

“One thing I’ve implemented is a weekly Sunday Review – a discussion guide that helps leaders expound upon the most recent sermons, and explore the truth of the Gospel with their groups. This is helping people of all backgrounds engage the Word of God on a consistent basis!

Kelly is also instructing others in obedience to the Word, as she pastors the children that participate in ICBKids activities. Every Sunday, in coordination with a great team of volunteers, she leads the kids in worship, prayer, and the examination of Scripture.”

Kids Outreach in Madrid, Spain

ICKids is a program that reaches out once a month to the neighborhood children near the International Church in Madrid, Spain with a special program of games, crafts, Bible lessons, music, and a snack. There are from 15 to 30 kids who attend, most of them from broken and dysfunctional homes, and nearly all the families are unconnected to the church. The program is run by volunteers in the church, and is overseen by one of the Assemblies of God World Missions Missionary Associates. There are two Chinese children that come to the club from the building on the church block, and a few months back, they were given a Chinese Bible. Every time they come back to the club, they tell about what they've been reading in their home! They started at the beginning of the Bible, Genesis, and had lots of questions. One of the staff members helped them find the Gospel of John last week, and suggested that they start there instead.

Ariel Rainey, AGWM personnel in Madrid who is also involved in the ICKids tells of meeting one of the mothers when she came to pick up her daughter. Ariel says, “I had a brief conversation with her, long enough to recognize her when she showed up at church on Sunday and especially when she came forward for the altar call! It's so exciting to see the kids ministry having a real spiritual impact on the city, even if it's one family at a time.”

ICKids is a program that reaches out once a month to the neighborhood children near the International Church in Madrid, Spain with a special program of games, crafts, Bible lessons, music, and a snack. There are from 15 to 30 kids who attend, most of them from broken and dysfunctional homes, and nearly all the families are unconnected to the church. The program is run by volunteers in the church, and is overseen by one of the Assemblies of God World Missions Missionary Associates.

There are two Chinese children that come to the club from the building on the church block, and a few months back, they were given a Chinese Bible. Every time they come back to the club, they tell about what they've been reading in their home! They started at the beginning of the Bible, Genesis, and had lots of questions. One of the staff members helped them find the Gospel of John last week, and suggested that they start there instead.

Ariel Rainey, AGWM personnel in Madrid who is also involved in the ICKids tells of meeting one of the mothers when she came to pick up her daughter. Ariel says, “I had a brief conversation with her, long enough to recognize her when she showed up at church on Sunday and especially when she came forward for the altar call! It's so exciting to see the kids ministry having a real spiritual impact on the city, even if it's one family at a time.”