May Update

Apologies for the delay in this blog, busyness has a way of subtly distracting us us from doing these type of things. I'm grateful to those who have nudged us to keep writing these 'news blogs'.

Last time we wrote we were in the process of moving into a new venue in the centre of the city. This has gone well, it's a great location; a great place to watch some of the Real Madrid Champions League celebrations - see photos, but also a perfect place to start 'public meetings'.

With the move to a central location for our Sunday meetings, we decided to totally transform our small groups. We had, for quite some time, been trying to initiate within each small group a 'project' by which they would be able to serve their neighborhoods. Despite the genuine desire within the groups to serve, we failed to get anything up and running. Therefore, we scrapped the usual midweek small group idea and started what we have called 'Mission Groups'.

Each MG has a specific mission that it exists to fulfill. Some are more evangelistic in their aims, others more practical in their service. For example, one recent group was recently started by 3 mum's in the church because they wanted to help some of the other mum's at their local school practice their conversational English. They gather Weds mornings to bake cakes together but do it all in English. The mum's they are serving love it. Each time they have met a new guest has come. Hence just one group of 3 English speaking christians, now regularly meets with 6 Spanish speaking mums to serve and develop friendships.

Another group has started running Alpha and Beta courses on Monday afternoons. A group of 5 christians now serves around 7 or 8 spanish speaking guests weekly. They eat together, share the gospel and have a time for discussion, questions etc... One strange outcome is that a few regular guests to this group happen to be people who dress as disney or cartoon characters for tourists in Puerta del Sol. Mickey Mouse, Bart Simpson and Sponge Bob are just some of the characters who regularly attend this group (see photo).

We're excited about theses MG's. It certainly feels like we're becoming more missional and able to connect with and serve a lot more Spanish and Spanish speaking people each week. Last night I went to our other group that meets in a local restaurant. Along with 5/6 English speaking church members we had around 15 Spanish speaking guests.

It also feels a lot more like the way Jesus discipled people - by going on the mission together. We still have a long way to go, particularly by growing with Spanish people, but the MG's feel like a good step in that direction. In fact the person who recently signed up officially as our first member was Santi who is from Madrid. We're trusting he's the first fruits of many others.

Thanks for reading and for your prayers. Please keep praying for the MG's that we have started as well as ones we hope to start in the Autumn. Please also pray that God would add more men and women of peace to us (in particular Spanish and Spanish speakers). Gracias!!!!