Spain

Partner with Local Missionaries in Spain

Located in the 10/40 Window

Historical hub of the Counter-Reformation and now largely secular, Spain and its people can be hostile toward evangelical Christianity at times. While a majority of Spaniards identify as Roman Catholic, most rarely attend Mass. Hence paradoxically, the opposition that local missionaries most often face is a deep-seated secular worldview held by people who are intensely loyal in name to a religious institution they rarely heed.

Of the 77.5 percent of people in Spain who identify as Christian, nearly 89 percent are Roman Catholic. Of the overall population, 19.4 percent say they are non-religious, with some studies showing the percentage actually ranges from 20 to 27 percent. Immigration from northern Africa is largely responsible for the 2.6 percent of the population that is Muslim.

Spain is one of the few European countries that still officially accepts refugees, and local missionaries are welcoming those from Syria and other parts of the Middle East and Africa. Many of these refugees are Muslims, and workers are building relationships with them as they extend aid such as food packets, medical care and clothing. Local missionaries do much to help them relocate and assimilate into the country by offering counseling, language and job skills training, and assistance in finding housing.

Workers also provide aid to Christian converts from Islam who have been persecuted and to the workers who have suffered for leading them to faith in Christ.

Among the refugees that local missionaries are helping are Muslim women who have been trafficked, abused or widowed at the hands of the Islamic State (ISIS), including those who have children as a result of the abuse. Local missionaries seek assistance to provide shelter and care for them as well as compassionate aid for abused youth.

Sources: Joshua Project, Ministry Portfolio, Wikipedia, Impact Survey

46.67 million

Population

1.6%

Evangelical Population:

105

People Groups:

Unreached People Groups:

How to Pray for Spain

Pray that refugees from Muslim families who have trusted in Christ for salvation will be kept safe from harm, and that the Lord would also protect and strengthen workers who are leading them to Christ.
Pray that refugees will see the love of Christ in the aid and orientation they receive to begin their lives anew, and that they will bring knowledge of Him to others in Spain, or to those at their ultimate destinations or to relatives and friends in their countries of origin.
Pray that house churches planted in Spain among refugees and nationals would flourish against the forces of secularism and a post-Christian mentality.

More stories from Spain

Help Bring Word of Eternal Life in Spain

A native Christian ministry that has planted hundreds of churches trains evangelists in how to train others, focusing on segments of society reaching their own people – gypsies proclaiming Christ to gypsies, soldiers to soldiers, and doctors to doctors, for example. The workers are trained in how to start small groups in homes where fellowships study the Bible, worship and partake of the Lord’s Supper, as well as encourage each other to proclaim Christ’s death and resurrection. The ministry also forms discipleship groups in refugee centers, among other groups. Workers seek donations of $25 or $50 for such proclamation and discipleship efforts. Pray for the Lord’s protection over the ministry.

Equip Gospel Messengers in Spain

Among 15 inmates who put their faith in Christ after a native ministry leader preached at their prison was a young man who was subsequently released and began a new life. He recently called the leader to say he cannot stop reading the Bible. “God changed his life from a narco-trafficker to a new person,” the leader said. “His wife cannot believe how Jesus could change him. He is talking to everybody about Jesus, and some of his friends are coming to church because they want to receive Jesus.” Workers need donations of $25 or $50 for such gospel outreach and follow-up with new Christians. Pray the Lord will protect workers from opposition and give them good health.

Provide Relief for Refugees in Spain

The perception among some Spaniards that refugees only cause trouble has changed as the immigrants have become eager to glorify God after accepting Christ. “Entrepreneurs trust them and are giving them work, a great testimony,” the ministry leader said. Refugees from Africa, the Middle East and other areas have come to know the love of Christ as workers provided them humanitarian aid and offered to study the Bible with them. One family of five from Ukraine arrived without hope but gained peace after putting their faith in Christ. Workers need donations of $35 or $70 to bring compassionate aid and the gospel to refugees. Pray workers will be kept safe among persecution.

Help Build Strong Disciples in Spain

The gospel took root in the hearts of many Spaniards and refugees as native Christian workers shared the message at dinners for married couples, young people or children. Word of Christ’s salvation also spread in street festivals, prison outreaches, sports activities, home groups and on radio and TV broadcasts. One man received a Bible during a worship service that took place on his street. “He came to church confessing that by reading the Bible, God had changed his life, and he gave himself to Christ asking for baptism,” the ministry leader said. Workers need donations for such evangelism and discipleship. Pray for worker health and protection.

Support Gospel Proclamation in Spain

A man listening to a native ministry’s open-air worship service on a neighborhood street received a Bible from one of the church members, and he recently came to the congregation’s regular gathering saying that Scripture had changed his life. He put his faith in Christ and asked for baptism. Workers also distributed Bibles and New Testaments in prisons, hospitals, military compounds and home groups. Churches have formed among both refugees and Spaniards. Donations are sought for such proclamation of the gospel and follow-up. Pray that congregations will be unified, and that surrounding communities will take note of their love for one another.

Help Workers Proclaim Life in Christ in Spain

A family of five fled war-torn Ukraine, arriving in Spain frightened and without hope. Local missionaries spent time developing trust with them, and the family began coming to meetings at the ministry’s refugee center and accepted Christ. “God made a radical change in their lives; now they have peace of mind,” the ministry leader said. “They testify of Christ and say, ‘We will never be alone again.’” Local missionaries also bring the gospel to Spaniards who are then trained to plant house churches. Donations are sought for such gospel work. Pray that church unity will be a light to communities.

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