For generations, evangelical believers in Spain have lingered around the fringes of society, keeping to themselves and enduring occasional persecution. Agape Spain has concluded this must change.
"We want our ministry to be visible and recognised by the authorities," says national director Javier Garcia. "If we want to reach a city like Barcelona, we must help with the challenges that face the city."
For example, this summer Barcelona is sponsoring the International Cultural Forum, and UNESCO asked Agape to help organise events relating to religion. Javier and his team see this as an opportunity to serve the city, as well as putting themselves in the mainstream of cultural life. They are running over 30 different projects, including a 400-voice gospel choir that will perform before 50,000 people and sing in front of the Sagrada Familia church, a Barcelona landmark.
"In order to gain a hearing for your worldview among post-modern people," says staff member Felix Ortiz, "you need credibility. But you must avoid the two extremes: One is all welfare and helping people. The other is all preaching. We try to have a holistic evangelistic approach, and do both. That's what we see Jesus doing in the gospels."
University
Barcelona boasts eight universities with some 200,000 students. Agape has 14 staff members labouring here. Several months ago new staff member Samuel Palacios began meeting with his cousin (a Christian) and her boyfriend, Lorenz, to discuss who God is. After five meetings, Samuel explained that God wanted a relationship with Lorenz. "When I asked Lorenz if he wanted God to guide his life," says Samuel, "He said yes. He had come to realise he was sinful and needed God."
Aventura (youth ministry)
Aventura's two youth centres provide a place for teens to see Christians living out their faith. "The leadership of the barrio know that what we offer is healthy and good for the youth," says Eva Aldea, a former schoolteacher who recently joined Agape staff. "Activities like youth centres are reference points for the whole city," adds Javier. "They are visible to everyone and are supported by the local government."
The Arts
Barcelona is one of the leading European centres for the arts; so naturally, Agape wants to influence the artistic community. "If you are going to change a culture," says John O'Neil, national campus director, "you must reach the gatekeepers. They are in the media, film, art, music. This is where culture is created."
FamilyLife
A nation is composed of families, and strong families lead to a strong nation. "We want to be a movement," says FamilyLife director Victor Miron, "a holistic part of community ministry." As staff members meet felt needs in marriage and parenting, people come to Christ (about eight percent of people attending conferences) and Family Life wins greater credibility for Agape.
Reaching Multitudes
When Mel Gibson's The Passion of Christ film premiered in Spain, Agape produced a full-colour magazine, complete with the contents of the Knowing God Personally booklet, and passed out these magazines in theatres showing the film. Many churches have helped pass out the magazines, and workers even wore bright orange shirts with the words "Jesus lives!" on the back. To date, 97,000 magazines have been passed out. 
