Hello friends!
The past month-ish has been quite eventful. This really is one news-filled newsletter!
If you’ve been following me (thank you!) you know I’ve been working at ICB (the International Church of Barcelona) for the last 3 years—from intern to ministry coordinator to project manager to creative director. It's been quite a journey, and I've experienced exponential growth and rapid changes firsthand. And I've loved every moment of it.
The passion of my heart is getting the Gospel to... well, everywhere, especially the places where it's not readily available right now.
The Context
Coming out of the strict restrictions sponsored by COVID-19™️ (remember that guy? Yeah, same) the tool of excellence for churches was the internet. Online church. This became a means to reach places where the Gospel might not otherwise be accessible, many of them in Europe. As COVID slowly became a thing of the past, churches had a decision to make: would we invest as much in this newly-found online platform as in traditional gatherings?
ICB had to answer this question too, and the conclusion was not yet. Let me explain. An online campus, like any other campus, requires resources: its own pastor, worship team, space (like a recording studio), facilities for children, youth, and more. As much as we'd love to create a space that fully utilises the potential of an online campus, the resources simply aren't available right now. ICB doesn’t even have its own building—yet—but it’s in the works. The idea is that once ICB has a dedicated home for all its activities, courses, and programs, it can allocate more resources to make the online campus a reality.
I will admit that reaching that conclusion made shed a few tears. In my frustration I prayed and prayed and I prayed again. I wondered “Lord, is this still where you want me to be? If it is, I’ll be the best creative director I can be. But I can’t help but wonder… is the pillar of fire moving?”*. I went back to what brought me here in the first place. I opened an old journal from the days right after moving from South Africa to Jordan where I had written “help me see with your eyes, feel with your heart, and to be A VOICE TO THE VOICELESS”
To be a voice to the voiceless. I used to repeat that a lot those days, when I was just choosing what to study in university.
*Exodus 13:21-22
The Surprise
A few days later a friend of mine sent me an article. The organisation Open Doors Spain was looking for a communications manager. I opened the link because every missionary kid knows Open Doors and knows they’re one of the cool ones.
I read the the description and after reading through the technical specifications I got to that part where they describe the type of character they look for and something caught my eye. At the end it said: we’re looking for someone who’s passionate about being the voice to the voiceless.
"Is this you, Lord?"
The voice to the voiceless. That’s who I want to be.
I wrote a cover letter, attached my CV, and hit send with a shaky hand. And I prayed.
"Is this you, Lord?"
I won’t bore you with details but after 10 days I got an offer. Turns out it was him.
Now, I’m telling you this with both excitement in my heart and tears in my eyes. Open Door’s mission and vision gets me fired up (you can read it below). And at the same time, transition out of the ICB team makes me really sad. I love ICB, the work they do, the team, the pastors… it’s truly a special place.
This doesn’t mean I will stop attending ICB. I’m not leaving Barcelona. I will still co-lead the teens community group and attend another one when autumn rolls around (here that's in October). I love the community and I don’t plan on leaving! I’m only (“only”) transition out of the ICB full-time staff team.
That means that I currently coexist with my old friend grief—the “lasts”, the tears, the goodbyes. As well as the excitement of the new, the possibilities, the hope, and a healthy dose of intimidation and fear.
Those are my big news! Thank you for being in this journey with me. I don’t say it just because. I mean it—thank you. I will keep you updated as I finish onboarding at Open Doors!
A short clip where I take you to see a little of Barcelona through my eyes.
Open Doors Mission Statement
To strengthen and equip the Body of Christ living under or facing restriction and persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ, and to encourage their involvement in world evangelism by:
Providing Bibles and literature, media, leadership training, socio-economic development, and through intercessory prayer;
Preparing the Body of Christ living in threatened or unstable areas to face persecution and suffering;
Educating and mobilising the Body of Christ living in the free world to identify with threatened and persecuted Christians and be actively involved in assisting them.
We do so because we believe ‘when one member suffers, all members suffer with it.’ (1 Corinthians 12:26) all doors are open and God enables His Body to go into all the world and preach the Gospel.
You can read more about Open Doors at www.opendoors.org
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