McKinstry E-News … Summer 2019
Are people around you starving?
“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:16)
Oxfam America, an NGO dedicated to the eradication of hunger around the world, estimates that 30 million people, world-wide, are on the brink of famine. Who hasn’t seen the picture of a small, starving child? These images move us to tears. Most of these people are located in parts of drought-stricken Africa while others are in Asia, Eastern Europe, and parts of Latin America and, thank God, many of us are doing something about it.
In reality, people are starving all around us, maybe not for food, but for intangible needs like freedom from addiction, hope in dark days, and real life … the life they were created for in Christ. This might be a surprise, but some of the hungriest people in the world may live in very close proximity to us … and we can do something about it!
In a recent message Mark shared at the International Church of Barcelona in our series on Ephesians, we dove into this topic and explored the idea that… we grow, when we serve each other.
We APPLAUD YOU and THANK YOU, our partners, who have stood by our side in GIVING and PRAYING. We would not be here without you and we cannot thank you enough for FEEDING so many STARVING for LIFE in CHRIST here in BARCELONA.
Spring Ministry Highlights
Pictured right to left, top to bottom: Pictured with some of our couple community group. Every week we eat together, pray together, play together, support each other, and serve together. Our vision is that our marriages would be a vibrant light for Christ in our world. As we serve each other, God has grown us numerically and spiritually. Several were baptized just a few weeks ago! Annual Sant Jordi Outreach on the Ramblas de Catalunya Every April 15, we celebrate Sant Jordi in Barcelona. It’s a time where hundreds of thousands of locals venture out on the streets to buy books from various organizations. We gave away hundreds of Bibles and children’s book, connecting with thousands of people… our team even met the mayor of Barcelona! Thank you Speed the Light for providing the car that transported the materials!!! The ICB Annual Easter Egg Hunt took place at a local park where over 1500 people came to play games, search for prizes, and connect with one another. Hundreds of children and adults heard the gospel, many for the first time that day!!! The first week of Super Heroes Kids Cassal (VBS) was a smash as over 150 kids came and discovered just how much God loves them and how fun it is to have life in Christ. Many of these families have been joining us on Sundays.
International Church Plant … Malaga, Spain
We have been taking many trips to Malaga over the last six months to pray over the city and get a feel for what God is doing there for the future church plant. We have met hundreds of people, some of which desire to be a part of the new church. Please pray with us for timing, favor, and resourcing. We love this city and believe that God is up to something marvelous there!
This Andalusian city numbers 600,000+ people with a greater metro area of 1.5 million. There is only one Spanish Assembly of God church and a handful of evangelical churches. We’re excited to be a part of the church reaching this city. Please join with us in praying for this beautiful city and the wonderful people who call it home.
We Need Your Prayers … Here’s How:
1. For Jesus to be lifted high in Malaga, Spain. For existing churches to be encouraged, new churches to be started, and for a movement of people to trust Christ.
2. For the new International Church plant in Malaga. For people we have connected with there, for God’s timing, and for the necessary resources.
3. For God to call people to come be a part of the church plant team in Malaga. If you are interested or you know some one who may be interested in being a part of the team please contact us at our email: Mark@McKinstrysInSpain.org
4. For friends in Barcelona that are new in Christ. Please pray that they will grow in their faith, walk in community with others, and share their faith with friends.
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).
We are so proud of our children!
We are forever thankful to the supporter who made it possible for our kids to come visit us in Barcelona in June. We had a fantastic time doing life together for ten days of ministering at ICB, exploring Catalonia, eating great food, and making many, many memories…we even found snow falling in the Pyrenees…haha! They are heading in various directions over the summer. We appreciate your prayers for them!