Business as mission in Northern Spain

Recent developments in Northern Spain have really encouraged church planters Ainsley and Duncan.  They have modeled and practiced a “business as mission” approach amongst the Basque people, first in Hernani and now in Andoain.

Northern Spain has long been a politically unstable area, the people staunchly nationalist and Catholic in identity.  Ainsley and Duncan have always expressed a desire to work with whoever wants to see God’s kingdom grow. This desire is now taking shape in the form of connections with cooperative Catholic priests in the area.

Ainsley recently attended a meeting of the committee responsible for remodeling the way the Catholic church operates in Andoain.  She commented, “It was exciting for several reasons, not least hearing the heart of a number of people who love the Lord Jesus and want to make Him known. I also noted the respect and receptivity towards us.  In fact, just being invited was incredible!”
 
When the meeting was opened for comments, Ainsley took the opportunity to talk about the importance of united prayer. She emphasised the need for the work of the Holy Spirit to see the church rejuvenate and grow.  While not everyone responded so warmly to her comments, the key priest as well as several others communicated their agreement after the meeting.  Ainsley wrote with great enthusiasm, “By the end of morning tea we had arranged to begin meeting on Wednesday afternoons to pray together.  The focus would be for the Lord to move in the town and for the restructuring of the parish. Fantastic!”  Duncan added “We believe that this act of united prayer isn't a coincidence. This opportunity is the fruit of our own team’s sustained season of prayer.” The Wednesday meetings have begun and initial reports are very positive.