We have to admit that, after 15 years of ministry in Poland, it is strange to refer to ourselves as WorldVenture Global Workers in Spain.
We are just “normal” people who are trying to follow God’s plan for our lives. That path took an unexpected sharp turn when He called us to overseas missions in our mid-forties. We arrived in Lubin, Poland in 2010 with goals to assist a young church, teach English to build relationships, serve in a former Communist-controlled country (Central/Eastern Europe).
We did our best to serve faithfully. As we view the ministry in Lubin now, we see a vibrant church with strong Polish leadership. Through teaching English, we built many relationships. We watched several lives changed by the power of the Gospel. God is so Good!
Over the last 18 months, God has been working in and speaking to our hearts. Two things He made clear.
1) Our work in Poland was near completion.
2) He was urging us to respond to a call for help from another ministry, much like Paul received in a dream from a man in Macedonia (Acts 16:9-10). We believe that the call for us has come from Spain.
The new ministry will be working side by side with Pastor Viktor Kovba and his wife Tanya in Torrevieja, Spain. We first met Viktor and Tanya in 2011 when he and his family joined our church in Lubin. Viktor had formerly been a pastor in Ukraine. They served faithfully in Poland, preaching often, and helping us start a daughter church in nearby Legnica. God eventually led them to Torrevieja, Spain. A large Ukrainian and Russian speaking population lived there. When they learned that Viktor was a pastor, they begged him to start a Ukrainian/Russian speaking church. That was 4 years ago, and now Light and Life Baptist Church averages over 120 people in attendance!
Torrevieja has a large Slavic population, but it also has become a migration destination for people from all over the world. Current statistics show the city has grown rapidly and now exceeds 100,000 people with over 50% from 123 different countries on 5 continents. English is the common language, as well as Spanish. Viktor shared with us a vision to start an English language worship service.
In addition to starting this English worship time, we will also be involved in the following ministries:
– Preaching in the established congregation.
– Assisting Viktor in targeted leadership training.
– Offering English language lessons through the church.
– Beginning an English-language Bible Study.
– Filling in as leaders of Russian/Ukrainian Bible studies.
– Assisting in organizing and leading retreats for men, women and couples.
– Helping to organize summer English camps for children and families.
A new ministry in Spain is another unexpected turn for us but is not quite as radical as moving overseas. Our vision when coming to Poland was to help a young church, use English to build relationships, serve Eastern Europeans. Much remains the same.
Blogs and Articles on WorldVenture.com:
* A New Season Of Ministry
* Pawel’s Story with Bruce and Linda
* Pray For Ukraine
* Poland Returns Church From World War 2
* Missions in Reverse
* What You Should Know Before Your First Short Term Trip
* Hot and Cold Climate Cultures
Publications by WorldVenture:
* Winter Stillness, Day 19; Do Not Be Afraid, Day 25
