Tagged: Spain

Something to Run Toward

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By on Apr 15th, 2013

My name is Marcia, and I grew up in a family that feared the Lord. But I didn’t understand it. I only wanted to leave my family in Brazil and find new life in another place far away from them. So when I turned 16, I ran away. And as each year passed, I kept running away.

Far away. Another continent away.

By age 26, I found myself in Spain. I had experienced a life of drugs and alcohol, and I was looking for something else. I wanted new experiences, but it seemed that everywhere I went my old life still followed me around.

I couldn’t escape the same realities that I had in Brazil all those years before. And I couldn’t escape the life that I had built on drugs, alcohol, and every other vice. The one thing I could escape was my parents. I hadn’t talked to them since I left Brazil, but even this brought me no comfort.

Several times I considered taking my own life. My life had no sense, no direction, and no purpose. But when I was 38, I met a pastor who told me about a man that could change my life and give me purpose.

This East-West partner told me about a loving Savior named Jesus. This man could erase all I had done and give me something to run toward instead of running away. That was when my life changed.

As soon as I believed, the first people I wanted to tell were my parents. I wanted them to know where I was and the new person that I had become because I gave my life to Jesus Christ.

My life now makes sense. I don’t need anything other than my Savior because He is my life and my hope. I may not have enough time or words to show how grateful I am to God for rescuing me, but I can preach His precious gospel and tell everyone what He did in my life.

Meet the Staff: Chelsea Jenkins

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By on Dec 19th, 2012

Chelsea Jenkins is passionate about mobilizing the Body of Christ. As part of our mobilization department, she works to connect God’s people to His mission worldwide by recruiting and developing leaders.

Here’s a little bit more about the gal you may see representing East-West at your church or college.

What were you doing before you came to East-West?

I was working on my master’s degree at Dallas Baptist University—which I just finished! It was in global leadership (which is really just a different way of saying “missions”).

What kind of classes did you take?

We studied a variety of subjects including missiology, business as missions, theology, and spiritual formation. But my favorite class was called “Local Church on Mission.”

How did you hear about East-West?

One of the classes I had to take was called Global Practicum. In this class you were required to travel overseas for a short-term trip. I had the opportunity to go to East Asia for a “cross-cultural exchange” where we met with university students to learn about their culture and teach them about ours.

This happened to be at a university to which East-West sent teachers. While I was there, I connected with them and saw what they did and how they were working. Those teachers were my first introduction to East-West.

How did you come to work here?

After I got back, I connected with people in your mobilization department, and after a few conversations I started out as a volunteer for East-West at different information sessions. Then I became a part-time recruiter. I found that my time getting to know those teachers in East Asia really helped me in looking for potential candidates. And eventually I came on full-time with my new position.

Tell me a little about your job now.

As the Director of Missionary Mobilization, I help mobilize the Body of Christ. My main focus is recruiting at colleges, conferences, and churches and building relationships with those who may be interested in serving overseas as missionaries.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite thing is getting to sit down to talk one-on-one with people over lunch or coffee and build relationships with them. The most exciting part is hearing the stories of how God is working in people’s lives and how they want to serve Him. I also get to help them figure out what kind of opportunities they need and want and help them develop into leaders who could one day serve on the field.

Have you been on any trips with East-West?

Last summer I led a trip to East Asia for two weeks of culture camps for elementary and high school kids. We got to teach them about American culture while pointing out the influence of Christ.

Where else do you want to go?

I would love to go back to East Asia, but I think it would be great to go to Spain or Southeast Asia as well. I really love the community development that is happening in those places and would love to be a part of it.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Being newly engaged, I am deep into planning my wedding this spring. But other than that, I’m actually really excited to finally get to do some of the Pinterest projects that I’ve been pinning, and I am ready to read books for fun instead of for school. I want to work on my heart knowledge after spending so much time on building my head knowledge.

Be sure to say hi to Chelsea at your college job fair, church, or conference. 

Thank YOU!

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By on Nov 19th, 2012

As Thanksgiving draws near, we would like to take a few moments to share with you how grateful East-West, our missionaries, and national partners are to you.

Thanks to You

“We are so blessed to have such an army of supporters and prayer warriors spread out all over the world. From China to Canada, America to Singapore, you make this happen with your prayers and financial support. The nations of the Caucasus will never be the same because of your eternal investment.” –Missionary to the Caucasus region

“Thank you for your prayers and partnership with us in Southeast Asia. We believe God is leading us, step by step, to make a lasting investment for His Kingdom there. To Him be the Glory!” –Missionary to Southeast Asia

“You are making the difference in the ministry here with your prayers, your gifts and your concern. Thank you!” –Missionary to Spain

“Because of your faithful support and prayers, we GET to teach the Word and train these faithful men and women! We wake up each day rejoicing in the privilege that is ours! Thank you so much.” –Missionaries to East Asia

“I would like to thank you special people who believed in me in supporting me in this ministry. Russia is not the same as it was because you supported God’s work here.”  –National partner in Russia

“I am so grateful for God’s guidance and for your support. Our ministry continues to be busy because of your prayers.” –National Partner in Central Asia

“We are grateful to you all without your input, time, prayers and concern, there would have been no ministry. We pray that God would richly guide, direct and bless you throughout year.” –National Partner in South Asia

Because of You

Your support through prayer and giving makes our ministry of transforming lives through the power of the gospel possible. Here are what some of our national partners have to say about the work you have empowered us to do.

“Would like to thank our teachers from East-West. Among them is my spiritual father, and I look forward to seeing him here every time. He gives me good counsel, and I am thankful to God for such people in my life. As a Baptist bishop, I have seen 1,400 members of the churches and 15 new pastors come all because of the training that East-West did for us.”  –National Partner in Russia

“Because of the missionaries and their training, I finally understand the gospel and can share it without fear!” –National Partner in Latin America

“It’s important that the U.S. has taken a role in our ministry here because Christianity has now impacted our culture. It is important for Muslims to experience Christians from other countries who used to be Muslims but whose lives have been changed by the gospel. More than anything, it is important Christians from other countries to come together to worship and share God’s love. It will make a difference here.”  –National Partner in the Caucasus Region

“For the first 10 years of my ministry, there was not much fruit because I didn’t have experience. It is now better because of the help of our American brothers at East-West.” –National Partner in the Middle East

“Your help to the seminary in Sevilla has real value in terms of students putting their faith into action for God’s kingdom every month.” –National partner in Spain

“As a new believer of 3 months, I now know what I am supposed to be doing with my life because of this training. I love and depend upon Jesus like never before.” –National Partner in Latin America

THANK YOU!

 

A Solid Foundation

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By on Oct 24th, 2012

Training that Transforms

Gypsies are known for their wandering nature—never settling in one place or on one idea. As a gypsy pastor, Juan saw that his people needed a solid foundation of truth on which to build and transform their society.

Juan frequently shared the gospel with others from his church five nights a week … but as more and more people came to faith a new need became evident—the need for biblical training and discipleship.

He desired to equip other gypsy pastors with biblical knowledge and practical ministry skills. He heard about the East-West training center in Sevilla, Spain, where he could study theology and biblical responses to problems pastors face in ministry.

Working as an itinerant shoe salesman during the day, Juan made a living for his family and paid for his classes at the training center. He remained dedicated to sharing the gospel five nights a week in local gypsy communities. But in every spare moment, Juan was steadfast in his studies.

After several years of diligence to the gospel and his education, Juan graduated from the training center with a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies. In the same year, he published a book on basic theology for his fellow gypsy pastors and was elected the chief supervisor of the gypsy pastors in his denomination’s region.

Juan now trains other gypsy pastors in theology and equips them to navigate a life of ministry biblically. With this biblical foundation, more disciples are being made and the local gypsy community is being transformed.

Once known by their neighbors as a wandering and thieving people, they are now settling into local communities, seeking respectable professions, and igniting one of the fasting growing movements of the gospel in Spain.

A Second Chance at Redemption

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By on Jul 9th, 2012

Enrique first heard the gospel in 1994 … but he wasn’t yet ready to respond.

For more than fifty years, Enrique had felt God’s presence. But he ignored it—chasing after all of the wrong things in life. Soon he found himself guilty of lying, stealing, and drug abuse. And he couldn’t stop.

Pastor and prisoner studying the Bible

Enrique (left) with local pastor Antonio studying the Bible in a Spanish prison.

Facing time in prison, he yearned to end the suffering he caused his mother through his wrongful actions. Enrique was ready to give it all up. He was ready to die.

Enrique tried three times to end his life. Each time he was left unharmed. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t fulfill his desire to die. But he would later see that it was the Lord that protected him.

Finally sent to prison to serve an eleven year sentence, Enrique was broken. He couldn’t live well, and he couldn’t die.

One day, he saw a group of his fellow prisoners gathering together. Eager to find out what would bring them all together so peacefully, Enrique joined them.

He had stumbled upon a cell group of Christians who had heard the gospel through an East-West national partner. They met regularly in the prison to worship and study the Bible … eventually spreading the gospel and starting new cell groups that did the same.

It was through this group of prisoners that Enrique heard the gospel for the second time. And this time he was ready to turn his life over to Jesus Christ. He finally saw that the Lord protected his life in order to make him part of the eternal family.

Today, Enrique has stopped smoking and abusing drugs. He finally has the life he has always desired … a new life in the presence of God.

 

Fall 2012 Mission Trips

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By on May 23rd, 2012

East-West is dedicated to mobilizing the Church at home to build the Church abroad. One way we’re bringing the gospel to the world is through dedicated believers on short-term mission trips.

Fall is around the corner. So it’s time to start thinking about whether a fall mission trip is right for you. Here are a few opportunities for you to GO and MULTIPLY God’s eternal Kingdom with East-West this fall.

For more information or to sign up for these mission trips click here.

New Life, New Mission

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By on Apr 23rd, 2012

Chasing the world’s many distractions, Patricia, a young Spaniard, found herself empty. Seeking fulfillment through sin had left her looking for real answers.

One day, in search of a new direction, she came to East-West national partner and church planting pastor Oswaldo Elias de Mattos. Oswaldo introduced Patricia to Jesus, and she knew then that she would never be the same. 

Patricia decided that she needed a Savior and immediately surrendered her life to Christ.

Not long after, Patricia began attending a cell group. From the moment she walked through the door, everyone could feel her joy. She had been given new life!

As Patricia grew in her faith, she took on more responsibilities in her cell group. She brings her flute to play during worship and even leads the group time occasionally. She continues to grow through intentional discipleship with a teacher whom she now considers her best friend.

Patricia has developed into a vibrant, Christian woman who is bold about sharing her faith. She tells everyone about Jesus … especially her family. Two of her family members recently confessed Christ as their Savior because she shared the gospel message with them.

Instead of chasing sin, Patricia now chases Christ and finds fulfillment in God’s presence. She desires to be a missionary—reaching her nation and even the world with the message of salvation and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ.