Looking back to 1991, I consider the amazing impact and influence that Crossroads Bible Church has had in Spain for the sake of the Gospel. It is truly inspiring. As my wife Fran and I have traveled through Spain at various times we have seen where God has allowed our church to have a major role in this part of the world as we have left our “Crossroads handprints”. How many times have we driven into the small pueblo of Toral, about 45 minutes from our Sister Church in Leon, and thanked the Lord for the opportunities He has given Crossroads in a country over 5,000 miles away?

In addition to Toral where so much of CBC’s involvement has taken place, Crossroad’s handprints can be seen in nearby Leon, in Ponferrada, in Madrid, in Albacete, in Toledo and other places. Praise the Lord for allowing one church in America – Crossroads Bible Church - to have such a significant influence on the churches and leaders of Spain. “How could one church” I ask myself, “leave their handprint in so many ways but through a gracious and sovereign God?” Here are a few examples:

Leon Church – The Evangelical Church of Leon in NW Spain, a city of about 140,000, is a Sister Church of Crossroads Bible Church. Their attendance of approximately 200 is considered a very large church for this country. They have outgrown the storefront location occupied by this congregation for over 50 years. Many Sundays there is only standing room. Several years ago the Church requested a piece of property from the City of Leon to build a church. In the past only the Roman Catholic Church had been granted this request. To the surprise of everyone, the City could not find a valid reason to reject the request and gave the “Protestants”, as they are referred to, a very desirable piece of property in a high-traffic section of the downtown area. The church is being built at the intersection of two busy streets making it a very visible beacon in this newest part of the city. Construction of the new church was begun, while virtually no other construction was occurring in Spain, additional evidence of God’s hand on this project. Crossroads has and continues to be involved in helping fund this project that will expand seating to 500 and up to 700 for special events as well as improved classrooms, etc.

The Handprints of Crossroads Bible Church in SpainBy Jack Fender- CBC Minister of Missions

Crossroads relationships in Spain began when the Leon Church first welcomed Pastor Dan Hollingsworth in 1991. As a pastor and worship leader at Crossroads, he led a short-term ministry team there. The following year two teams shared ministry with their church. In 1993 the Leon Church asked Dan to come on staff and assist their pastor, Manuel Corral. One of Dan’s first assignments was to form the church’s first choir. This choir grew to the point where they were able to put on public performances and eventually join church choirs from other cities to present nationally televised concerts. Crossroads musicians augmented these concerts on several occasions.

Visitors from Crossroads are always welcomed in the Leon Church with open arms. Sharing in ministry with this “sister church” has resulted in many blessings to both congregations. Several emerging leaders from both CBC and the Leon Church have been trained and mentored.

Toral - In 1990 the Government of Spain gave the Leon Church a former British missionary’s compound located in Toral. Built for Edward Turrell and his family in the small pueblo of Toral de Los Guzmanes, or “Toral” for short, is located approximately 45 minutes south of Leon. The missionary outpost built before 1900 had been seized by the army of Dictator Francisco Franco in the 1930’s during the Spanish Civil War and was returned by the government of King Juan Carlos. This partially dilapidated outpost became one of the largest retreat and conference centers in Spain thanks to the vision of Pastors Manuel Corral and Dan Hollingsworth. CBC has sent many work teams and funds to the Leon Church to help develop this facility. Crossroads support and encouragement has helped accomplish many things that would have otherwise been very difficult for a Spanish church with limited financial resources.

An entire book should be written about ”Toral”. Approximately 5,000 adults and children annually use the facilities here. This is incredible considering the first summer camp for children in 1993 had only 36 in attendance! It is such a special blessing to hear the many stories of changed lives because of the ministry at the conference and retreat facility at Toral.

Again Crossroads’ handprints are evident as one strolls around the Conference Center. A second building – the 5-story dormitory and dining hall - was partially funded and built with help from Crossroads. The third building three blocks away, called “Calle Mayor” (House

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on Main Street), was purchased with financial assistance from Crossroads. Calle Mayor was a “city farm” or finca on an entire block surrounded by 8 foot walls. The beautiful 200 year old house with eight bedrooms has now become an often used lodging for conferences and the Efeso Bible Institute, a Bible School for lay leaders.

The primary focus of Dan Hollingsworth’s ministry in the years before leaving Spain in 2005 was leadership development and especially the Efeso Bible Institute. Efeso (the Spanish name for Ephesians) is a three-year course. Over 100 men and women have graduated from this Bible School. For six intense weekends a year the students come together at Toral for lectures. Homework assignments and an appointed mentor fill the time between these classes. Their studies are academic and yet practical – designed for church leaders who would otherwise have limited ministry resources. Again Crossroads’ handprint can be seen in many aspects of this ministry which includes sending several “professors” to teach at the school.

Our partners in ministry in Spain include:

Manuel Corral – This Godly man has been the key to much of what the Lord has allowed the Leon Church/Crossroads partnership to accomplish. Pastor Manuel is a man who is virtually known by every evangelical church leader in Spain. He is a pastor to pastors. He is often found on the road heading out to counsel a pastor facing critical issues too difficult to face alone or to provide advice to an elder board facing difficult issues. It has been Manuel’s connections with church leaders and business people that have assisted the evangelical church to grow in Spain. Crossroads’ financial support of Manuel as one of our Ministry Partners strengthens his ability to continue advancing the ministry in Spain.

David and Loida Robles – Crossroads was privileged to have David with us for several months before he went to school at Multnomah School of the Bible years ago. Since that time he graduated from Masters Seminary in California. He and Loida are very active in the leadership of the Leon Church. In recent years he has become the senior preaching pastor, freeing up Manuel to devote time to church planting and mentoring other pastors. David also heads up the Berea Seminary, in Toral. In addition, he leads educational seminars around Spain and in Central America.

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Dan and Lynne Hollingsworth – The Lord has ministered through Dan in Spain in so many ways another book could easily be written. After moving his family to Spain in 1993, this former Crossroads pastor and visionary refused to accept the phrase, “But we’ve never done that before!” The first summer camp at Toral may not have taken place if he had seriously listened to the doubters. A group of singers and guitar players may never have become a choir – a choir may have never presented a public performance – church choirs from other cities may never have taken that first step in combining efforts and producing national concerts – Handel’s Messiah may never have been translated into Spanish and performed before huge audiences and television cameras. Young leaders may not have been mentored. And the Efeso Bible Institute may never have had their first student unless Dan had responded, “Yes we can!” It is exciting to realize that Crossroads has walked with Dan along the way and supported many of his initiatives through encouragement, funds, prayers and frequent visits with him and his family while they lived in Spain.

Steve and Cathy Crawford – In the mid-90s Steve and Cathy Crawford moved from Honduras where they planted a church to Spain. There they planted a church in Ponferrada, a city of approximately 65,000, located about 90 minutes northwest of Leon. At the time this city was known throughout Spain as a place of darkness and satanic worship. Seeing the difficult challenge, Steve and Cathy spent their first four years becoming known in the community - meeting and developing relationships with the local people. Steve and Cathy have accomplished amazing inroads in the city through developing relationships with a local semi-pro basketball club, coaching youth baseball, organizing women’s craft and gymnastics classes, etc.

Their ministry continues to grow. In 2003 the Leon Church purchased a “storefront” (street level retail-type space) in an apartment building in Ponferrada to develop as a “daughter church” to the Leon Church. Although there were numerous delays due to the architect and city bureaucracy, fervent prayers overcame the obstacles and the church was finally finished in 2007. Four work teams from Crossroads also added their skills, labor and dollars at various times. The Crawfords realized having their own church would provide evidence to the local citizens that “those Protestants” are serious about what they believe. Five members from Crossroads, including Owen Hollingsworth, Cathy’s father, traveled to Ponferrada to help celebrate the inauguration of this church in October 2007. Considering the Ponferrada Church began as a fellowship of about 10 people meeting in the

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Crawford’s living room, the current congregation of 70 is a true testimony to the city and to the Lord – another Crossroads “handprint”.

The Crawfords are currently exploring the possibilities of planting another church in Astorga a city located about half-way between Ponferrada and Leon.

More Crossroads’ Handprints – Other Ministry Partners also receive some of their support and encouragement from Crossroads. Each has been involved in joint initiatives with Crossroads leadership and short-term ministry teams. Participating in their ministries has created additional “handprints” in Spain.

Rob and Karen Jaworski – Rob and Karen provide assistance and encouragement to many churches in central Spain. They are affiliated with the mission agency Camino Global. The Jaworskis minister in and around the ancient city of Toledo. Rob has been involved in helping other Crossroads Ministry Partners transition to new works after they arrive in Spain.

Daryl and Carolyn Platt – The Platt’s serve with One Challenge, International in Southern Spain near Malaga. Daryl’s ministry is focused on presenting seminars about reaching out to a certain ethnic group that continues to grow in numbers and influence in Spain and all over Europe.

Emerging Spanish Leaders – Crossroads has been involved in some aspect of the training and equipping of several young men in Spain – David Robles, Israel Corral, Tan Molina, Daniel Corral, Israel Montes and others.

Pastors from Crossroads – A number of pastors from Crossroads have traveled to Spain to co-labor in training and outreach efforts. Senior Pastor Jerry Mitchell as well as Jim Wright, Jack Fender and former pastors Mark Wheeler, Tim Jack, Dan Perrin and Rob Bigley have all left their “handprints” in Spain.

Ministry Teams from Crossroads – Twenty-eight teams - over 230 CBC members - have participated in teaching music, computers, quilting, English, soccer and theatrics on many occasions. Others have gone as part of a work team or to teach at the Efeso Bible classes as well as preaching from a Spanish pulpit.

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To His Glory – Travel around Spain and talk to national pastors and missionaries and you will quickly learn that Crossroads Bible Church is recognized as a church which has had a significant impact in their country. Crossroads has recognized that developing strategic partnerships with Spanish leaders, while not attempting to direct their efforts, can be effective despite cultural and language differences. Churches have been planted or strengthened, pastors have been assisted, facilities have been built, young leaders have been equipped and discipled and educational opportunities have been provided. These have all occurred while demonstrating God’s love and Crossroad’s desire to work alongside our Spanish brothers and sisters in partnership. We continue to labor together for the sake of advancing the Gospel to a nation where over 99% of the people have been relatively unaffected by the truth that “God so loved the world...”

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