On the Red Box Celebration in Spain

The ‘On The Red Box’ open-air evangelism ministry based in Madrid, Spain celebrated its annual conference in early September. “This blessed event also commemorated its 15th year anniversary of proclaiming Jesus in the central plaza of Madrid, the Puerta del Sol (translated ‘the door of the sun’, but we like to say ‘the door of the Son’!)” states Karen Prevost of the leadership team. More than a million tracts have been distributed to people walking through the plaza, and the gospel has been shared with people from all over the world, many of them recognizing their need for forgiveness, making decisions to follow Jesus, and getting connected to local churches.

There were 110 participants in this year’s conference which included times of teaching, ministry to one another, prayer and intercession, and, of course, evangelism in the plaza.

Five students received their certificates commemorating the successful completion of the Basic Training evangelism course, which includes reading and viewing training materials, completing tests, and being mentored in preparing a two-minute testimony, a five-minute illustrated message, and leading personal evangelism conversations on the street.

Two newly formed red box teams also received their official red boxes! To qualify, each team needs to have a leader trained through Ontheredbox, a team of at least five people, the blessing of their pastor, and the commitment to evangelize open air at least once a week. These new teams will be proclaiming the gospel in two different areas of Madrid - Colmenar Viejo, and Ventas.

The celebration also was a time of rejoicing for the recent purchase and remodeling of the ministry center. During this past year, God provided nearly $1 million for the purchase of the prayer and evangelism training center right in the heart of Madrid, a very strategic location. Not only was there enough to purchase this space, but enough funds came in to allow for the soundproofing of the prayer room to allow for worship and prayer with more freedom without disturbing neighbors in the building.

“God has great plans ahead! We are praying for ever increasing revelation of Jesus, greater anointing as we proclaim Him, and for many people to begin to follow Him.”

Even more progress in Spain

This year, 2017, marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s nailing of the 95 Thesis to the door of the Wittenberg cathedral in 1517. To celebrate this, all the Protestant denominations of Spain came together in Madrid to participate in five different events during July 10-15.

One of these events was the 8th Evangelical Congress. Around 500 pastors and leaders came together to reflect on trends in the Spanish church and in society. In the evening, Gary Wilkerson spoke on having the fire of God in us and motivating us.

Simultaneously, about 1,000 young people from all over Spain and from many different denominations celebrated a week of “Urban Camp” with workshops and services. An outstanding part of the Urban Camp was “on-the-job training” where the young people took to the streets to witness, especially in the Metro stops.

The third event, commemorating the 500th Anniversary itself, was open to evangelicals in general and not just to leaders. Taking place in the Sports Palace in Madrid, official estimates place the attendance at 8,000 people.

A large outdoor evangelistic event took place on Saturday morning in the Paseo del Prado, the main north/south avenue in Madrid. Traffic was blocked off and artistic ministry and testimonies were given. Juan Carlos Escobar, President of the Spanish Assemblies of God and coordinator of the events for this 500th anniversary, preached a salvation message and gave an invitation for salvation.

Finally, on Saturday evening, a macro-concert was held in the Sports Palace where-well known musicians from Spain and other countries ministered, closing the week’s events.

Almost two weeks later, in an exclusive audience in the Zarzuela Palace, Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Leticia received the organizing committee for the 500th anniversary.

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!