Bill & Lainie's Story

A number of times someone in our church has asked me about our missions focus in Spain. "Why Spain?" they ask quizzically.

This question takes me back to the early years of our church when Lainie and I were looking for a way to invest in world evangelism. We had both come into pastoring with a high value for cross-cultural missions but we didn't want to do the traditional method of supporting a number of missionaries in a number of different places. We wanted to invest in one person or one place where we knew we could make a difference. As a small fellowship how could we do that?

The answer to that question started to come into focus when we met Phil Strout at the regional Pastor's conference in Cape May, New Jersey in 1990. Phil spoke of his desire to see churches partner together to reach the nation of Spain. Spain had never been on my radar in any way, and I honestly had no desire to see Spain reached for Christ. I was more focused on unreached people groups in Asia, Africa and the 10/40 window. But something sparked in me and soon a few pastors started to meet to pursue the idea of partnering together to reach Spain. As we talked and prayed, I realized that God had chosen Spain as the focus of our missions outreach. My heart was not only set on fire for Spain but I developed a deep love and bond with the pastors and churches God had gathered together to labor for Spain. We have spent many wonderful (and sometimes difficult) years visiting Spain, praying, ministering, and developing deep relationships with so many Spanish people.

So when people ask "Why Spain?" I tell them that God chose Spain for our missions focus, not us! And that God chose a group of churches to work shoulder to shoulder 2to see a church-planting movement be birthed in Spain, to do together what we could never do alone!

Over the past 18 years I have seen the incredible power in partnership. Our partnership has changed and evolved over the years, as all healthy, growing families do. And now as our partnership has changed once again, I am excited to see what God has for us in this next phase of our ministry to the nation of Spain, as we partner not just with each other but with Him. I hope to see you along the way.