Small Steps. Big Faith.

These smiling faces represent the best and the brightest of our new generation of staff. For the last 2 years they have been practicing the ins and outs of field ministry...but at the same time, carving out time for study and reflection and discussion with a staff mentor to ensure a solid foundation for the long haul. We believe that the condition of the hearts of our staff is priority number one and from a healthy heart that depends on the Lord a healthy, fruitful ministry will flow. Servant Leadership, Restoring God's Justice in a Broken World and Coaching were 3 of the New Staff Training topics that we covered during our time together. Together with New Staff Training director, Donna Cannella, we planned and prayed for months that the Lord would use this time to bring blessing and effective closure to this inicial season of staff life for these precious new staff. Their feedback about the weekend was encouraging. When asked, "What will you take away from this w...

100+ staff and volunteers descended on the Catholic retreat center outside of Madrid for 4 days of learning, celebrating and fellowship. Ruben and Aaron and I all attended. The theme, Raices, (or Roots) focused us on the importance of our spiritual health, reminding us to dig our spiritual roots deeply into Jesus and His truth. Also there were special sessions for practicing creative times alone with God through writing, music, nature, painting, etc. Back before Christmas, the conference directors had asked for new ideas that could be incorporated into our staff conference. I suggested a special dinner to honor the staff and help them remember how valuable they are. Of course, what usually happens if a leader likes your suggestion, he or she asks you to make it happen. So, I responded to the challenge of hosting a special dinner, a gala, to honor our staff. Much of the preparation was done ahead of time at home. With Ruben's help and then many extra hands chipping in ...

At the beginning of April the campus ministry in Spain ("Q" or C.U. - Cristianos Universitarios) gathered outside of Málaga for a special retreat. "A Challenge Came to Visit Me" was the theme and the staff teams addressed the topic of difficulties and suffering and where faith fits in. Cristina (Campus Intern) and Mariló (senior staff member) are pictured above, manning the registration table. In addition to hiking together, crackign an unsolved mystery activity and late-night games, several personal testimonies of pain and suffering were given and students were able to respond. Two students, José and María , students from the Q group in Málaga. have indicated decisions to place their faith in Christ!!!  Please pray for these students to hear the Lord's voice and to become grounded in their faith, especially during these summer months when they are away from their fellowship group.

  Remember when I went to Holland with Aaron and two other staff at the end of November? It was to become as a BPMT Facilitator. What is BPMT again? The Building Power Ministry Teams Assessment tool is based upon “ The Performance Factor: Unlocking the Secrets of Teamwork " by Pat MacMillan. This tool helps a team self assess six different aspects of teamwork (Common Purpose, Clear Roles, Accepted Leadership, Effective Processes, Solid Relationships and Excellent Communication). Teams can then see in which areas of their teamwork they are strong and in which areas they are weak. During the workshop the team creats action steps to address these areas. Now that we are officially certified, our goal is now to bring this important training to Spain. Rex Winn, Marc Fuentes and I make up the BPMT team in Spain. Our next steps include translating the material and casting vision for the various ministry teams in Agape Spain. There are already a couple of teams interested in re...

"José became a Christian at the Student Retreat!!!!" "Ruben and Loida are discipling several teenagers from their church." "Next weekend, we will host a cross-cultural training for a student mission trip to Argentina."      These are all statements that I have in the last week from staff who are working on the front lines. Full-time staff on the field are a crucial part to taking the gospel to every corner of Spain and the world!     Behind each full-time staff member on the field, there is also a special team, known here as the CAPACITY team, who works KEEP these staff on the front lines of ministry by depositing paychecks for them, creating and maintaining email and website platforms for them, providing training with ministry and leadership skills for them, etc.      In February 2017, the CAPACITY team (a virtual team of 11 staff living in 7 different cities) gathered in Valencia for 3 days for our own...

Something special is stirring within Agape Spain. Slowly and quietly God has begun to raise up more laborers to serve Him full-time in our ministry. Several of these staff members, after faithfully serving for several years have proved ready to take on greater leadership responsibilities. In September three of our staff (pictured above:  From left to right, Mia, Miqui and Radvile, ) will attend "Next Generation," a two-year leadership development program. The first module of the training will include 10 days together in Tel Aviv, Israel.  A significant part of the training includes ongoing meetings with a coach who will help the staff process the things they are learning. In July I received a call from the Next Generation coordinator asking me if I would be available to coach Radvile, who will be the Campus Director in Malaga. "Of course! I would be honored!" was my immediate response. Please pray for these 3...that God would speak to them during their tim...

LDHR works with staff at each stage of their ministry careers. In June we officially hired 5 new staff and hosted an orientation outside of Malaga to usher them into this new world of ministry. Gema, Rex and I worked for weeks prior to the event, preparing materials, coordinating logistics, communicating with the new staff and praying for each one by name. While a good portion of the content involved administrative details regarding our policies and practices, we also added new theological content to strengthen their biblical base as they enter into full-time work. We wrapped up the weekend with a visit from Nacho Marques, our national director, and his family, who skillfully painted a picture of the importance of spiritual multiplication and the power of exponential growth when we make disciples. Please pray for these 5 new staff as they raise support this fall. Pray that God would provide all their needs and would protect and encourage them during these preparatory months at...