Derek and Jane began serving with Grupos Bíblicos Unídos (GBU) in 2007. GBU is a Christian student organisation affiliated to the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. They are based in Bilbao in northern Spain.
The work of GBU principally involves evangelism among students and the discipling of Christian students. GBU’s vision is to reach all non-Christian students with the gospel and to develop student leadership which, in the future, should contribute to the growth of evangelical churches in Spain. GBU also seeks to contribute to the transformation of Spanish society through evangelical graduates and professionals who have been helped by GBU.
Derek and Jane are excited to be actively involved in a new project with the publishing branch of GBU (Andamio). The project aims to provide resources for Sunday school teachers, youth leaders and devotional materials for children and teenagers. The first stage is selecting the right materials to translate and publish. The next stages will be acquiring copyrights, raising funds, translation and publishing. These resources will have a huge impact in developing young disciples in the Spanish speaking world.
Derek and Jane are also involved in local church ministry in Bilbao, serving in the Bilbao International Church (BIC) and working alongside the local Spanish church. Derek serves as the pastor of BIC, and Jane is part of the team ministry. Derek’s role is to oversee ministry and mission at BIC and their other ministry roles include preaching, teaching, pastoral care, Bible study groups, 121’s, outreach and other initiatives. They are encouraged by ministry in both churches. Many non-Christians attend and their prayer is that they will soon respond to the gospel.
Derek and Jane also have the privilege of being involved in promoting MOCLAM and it is exciting to see various leaders studying this course. The material is a great blessing to those who are involved in Christian work, but who have very little theological training.
Derek and Jane met and got married when they were studying at Belfast Bible College, they have two children. They were commissioned for service in Spain at a service held in Drumbo Presbyterian, their home congregation, in January 2001. They served firstly in Valencia, Spain from February 2001 to 2007, working with the Levante Presbytery of the Spanish Evangelical Church (IEE).
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Derek and Jane have continued to serve in Spain and have adapted their work and witness to comply with local restrictions.
Prayer Points
- Pray for Christian students to catch the vision of being evangelists and making disciples at university and that this would continue as they enter the working world.
- Pray for good relationships between the student work and the local churches, and for full time staff workers to lead the work of GBU in the seven cites in the north of Spain.
- Pray for the continued development and use of a theological training course in Spain that benefits not only the students but also graduates and local churches, giving present and future leaders good training and tools for ministry.
- Pray for the French family, that they will be a good witness in their community. Pray too for their children, that they will grow up to have a vibrant personal relationship with God.
Derek and Jane have recorded a short film clip which can be downloaded and used in church services, prayer meetings or events to raise awareness and prayer for what God is doing across the world, as we seek to go deep and wide in global mission involvement.
(For previous Digital Dispatches video clips click here)
Latest Report
March 2024
Pray for the Easter season with all the special events and services in the local Sarriko church and Bilbao International Church (BIC) and for opportunities to share Christ with those who perhaps don’t normally come to church. On Sunday 31st March Bilbao International will have their special Easter Service on the beach, with a time of celebration and testimonies, followed by a meal of thanksgiving.
Saturday 9th March: Sarriko church will have their second General Assembly of the year. Pray that God will give wisdom and direction with regards to difficult decisions that have to be made for the advancement of His Kingdom.
Pray for Sarah from Germany who is planning to join our team here in May. She is presently speaking at churches in Germany trying to raise enough support so that she can be part of the team. Pray that the churches will not only support her financially, but also prayerfully. Pray that God will give her peace as she takes this step of faith.
Pray for several people coming to church who are seeking God. The church offers the opportunity to do a Christianity Explored course. Pray that they would say yes and that they would come to know Jesus personally. Pray also for all of those who have one-to-one discipleship in the church, pray for their spiritual growth and that God would raise up leaders through these studies.
Give praise to God for a local church that has taken seven boxes containing over 7,000 booklets (that we got translated and printed into Spanish and Basque) for a special evangelistic event they are holding. Some of the boxes include the booklet “Why the cross?” which is a great message to share with others, leading up to the Easter season.
Prayer Points
- Pray for all the special events in the church during Easter, that the message of the cross would be proclaimed clearly, and the power of the resurrection would change people’s hearts.
- Pray for the leadership in Sarriko and BIC as they make decisions in how to move both churches forward for God’s Kingdom.
- Pray for Sarah as she prepares to join the team.
- Pray for those seeking the Lord, for their salvation. And for those seeking to grow in their walk with God.
- Pray for the distribution of the evangelistic booklets.
Contact Details: |
c/o Mission Department
Assembly Buildings
2-10 Fisherwick Place
Belfast, BT1 6DW
Northern Ireland |
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E: frenchfamilywork@gmail.com
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To download a printable PDF of this bulletin or for a previous bulletin visit the Mission Reports listing at the top or the Global Mission monthly bulletin archive.