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
April 2024
This month we are sharing an interview with Veronica, who has done quite a bit of translation work for the ministry here in Spain. This work is invaluable as the person needs not only to be fluent in English, Spanish and Basque but they also need to have a good understanding of the Bible and the theological terms that come with that.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Veronica Corral and I’m from Bilbao, Spain. I’m a language teacher. I studied Ancient and Modern languages and Literature at the University of the Basque Country, where I completed my doctorate in Applied Linguistics. I have taught languages in the USA and the UK and I am now living Bilbao with my husband, and continue to teach Spanish, English and more recently Basque.
What booklets have you translated/revised?
I translated two booklets; Why Christmas from English into Spanish and Knowing the Good News, from English into Basque. I also helped to revise the Basque translation of Why Christmas.
What are some of the challenges with the Basque language? Were any of the words difficult to translate and why?
The Basque government is seeking to keep the Basque language alive and one of the main endeavours for this is integrating it into the education system. Personally, I would love to see more Christian resources/books in Basque, especially for kids, as there is very little available.
It was difficult to translate the word “redemption”. In the Basque Bible it is translated simply as “freedom”, but I feel something is missing as redemption is more than just freedom. The meaning of redemption in the Basque dictionary clearly says to buy again, but it is only used for lands and debts...but in the Bible version the word freedom is used.
Have you been able to share with anyone the booklets you have translated?
Oh, yes, in December my classmates were talking about Christmas and I happened to have some of the “Why Christmas?” booklets in Basque with me and I explained what it was, and they asked me for a copy! Praise God. He wants the people of Basque country to be part of his kingdom.
Prayer Points
- Pray for the distribution of the booklets that have been translated into Spanish and Basque.
- Give thanks for people such as Veronica who are faithful to the Word of God and diligent in how they translate books and booklets for the extension of God’s Kingdom.
- The booklet “Knowing the Good News” is a series of Bible studies from Romans. Pray that this would serve a great tool to share the gospel and help Christians to grow.
| 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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