In 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 the Bible says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;"  God has given us a NEW LIFE in Christ.  We realized that if we were to stand before God on the day of judgment and he were to judge us soley on the 10 commandments (There are more then 600 laws given in the Bible) we would be guilty, guilty, guilty. As a just and good God, he would have to condemn us and punish us.  We would expect no less from a good and just judge here on earth if a convicted rapist, muderer, theif, etc. were standing before him.  But the Bible says that "...God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  Even while we were sinners and enemies of God, He still came to earth as the Person of Jesus Christ and died for us so that we might be saved.  Realizing this, we repented of our sins and placed our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and the only sacrifice for sin and our only way to Heaven.  God indeed gave us new life in Christ. 

Many times, we read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and we praise God for the new life He has given to us. However, the scripture goes on to tell us something very important in 2 Corinthians 5:18, "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;" Not only did He give us new life, not only did he reconcile us to Himself, but He also gave US (you and I) the ministry of reconciliation.

Notcie that this verse gives only one stipulation of who the ministry of reconciliation is given to.  It is given to those who are in Christ; those who have been reconciled to God.  Basically, any person who has been born again, who has been saved, has been given the ministry of Reconciliation. Notice who it has been given from.  The preacher did not give the ministry, the church did not give the ministry, the pope did not give the ministry.  The ministry of reconciliation has been given to us FROM GOD!

So as children of God, we realize our responsibility before God.  We realize that it is not a call that we pray for and receive sometime in life, but that the ministry of reconciliation is something that God has already called and given to each and every believer through His Word!

Understanding this responsibility, we believe that God has directed us to the country of Spain.  Our heart is that every person in the world hear the name of Christ and God is allowing us to be apart of this as we reach Spaniards and they go to other places as missionaries.

SPAIN

Spain has had a turbulent history. While empires have conquered it, it has also conquered. Furthermore, while other countries around the world have influenced this country, Spain also has touched deeply the history of our own continent. Because of its comfortable climate, strong historical and cultural traditions and affordable living, Spain has become a popular destination for tourists from Europe, the U.S. and around the world.

Spain has been occupied by waves of various peoples for thousands of years. One of the earliest groups known to call the region home were the Basques, who continue to live in present day Spain. Other groups entered Spain from North Africa. Romans, German Visigoths and African Muslims soon followed them.

As of the fifteenth century, when Catholics conquered Spain, it became a predominantly Catholic kingdom. Shortly thereafter, Spain began exploring other parts of the world (particularly the "New World" of North and South America), and soon became the most powerful country in Europe. By the nineteenth century, however, Spain had lost some of its imperial power through European wars as well as the revolts in the American colonies.

During the 1960s to 1970s Spain began a period of economic growth, in part due to increased industrialization and tourism, and in part to a more democratic government. The 1978 constitution re-framed the country as a parliamentary monarchy. Spain joined the European Union in 1986. Elections in the 1990s brought in coalition governments, and, despite a rocky economic start to the decade, increasing prosperity and growth in textiles and clothing, food goods, metals, chemicals, ship and automobile building and tourism.

Spain is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Spain is Europe's fourth largest country after Russia, Ukraine and France. It consists of the Spanish mainland, which occupies most of the Iberian peninsula apart from Portugal, the Balearic islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, Gomera, Fuerteventura and Hierro in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Morocco.

Over 98% of people are Roman Catholic, the rest being made up of a few Protestants, Muslims and Jews. There are also around 500,000 gypsies living mainly in the larger cities.