Ministry Focus
Marcos and his family live in Sevilla, Spain. His ministry is focused on planting new churches and developing new Spanish believers and leaders. He leads and pastors his church, Iglesia Esperanza para el Corazón.
Spain is a nation with more than 48 million inhabitants, of which only 0.08% of the population is Evangelical Christian, it has more than 4,000 towns without the presence of a single Evangelical Christian, and is currently the fifth most atheist country in the world. world. He feels that Spain now more than ever needs to hear the gospel, that is why he is convinced that his family's home is among the Spanish people. For this reason they have planted a Church in the Province of Seville, one of the most beautiful regions of Spain.
Their new goal is to plant a new Church in one of the cities without an Evangelical presence, train and mobilize Spanish believers to plant new Churches.
Faith Story
Marcos came to know Christ at the age of 16. He was attending a boarding school in Cuba under Communist influence and remembers feeling that his life had no meaning. He parents were separated, and he was only able to visit home four days out of the month to see his family. The boarding school frequently experienced food and supply shortages and he spent the mornings studying and the rest of the day working in the fields to cultivate potatoes and sugar cane.
It was during that time that two of his peers came to him to share about the love of God. Despite living within the same circumstances as himself, Marcos could see a peace within them. Marcos struggled to understand what they told him about Jesus because his education taught him that Jesus was a myth made up by Christians and it was forbidden to discuss religion at school. However, despite all of that, late one night in the middle of a field, Marcos made the decision to follow Jesus. Since that night, everything in his life changed!
Family
Marcos and Delmis were married in 2007. Delmis works alongside Marcos in ministry as a counselor for women. They are proud parents to their son, Marcos Gabriel.
Education
Marcos holds a bachelor’s degree in theology, a master’s degree in religious studies, and is also trained as a doctor for veterinary medicine.
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Marcos by making a financial donation using a Credit Card or by Direct Debit (ACH).
Learn more about where this ministry happens
Don Quixote, Flamenco, festivals, and Spanish guitar --Spain is a wonder!
Spain is the newest addition to Missions Door’s countries of occupancy.
A country known for its sunshine and siestas, Spain has a deep and complex culture in the peninsula where both Muslims and Catholics once claimed their thrones. The sun drenched South was once the heart of Moorish culture, and a heavy influence of North African society can still be felt. The center of Spain evokes images of windmills, castles, and Don Quixote while also being home to the classic European capital city of Madrid. The north of Spain provides a culture of their own in the fiercely independent and fiesta-driven regions such as Catalonia and the Basque Country.
Spain is a beautiful country of diverse landscapes with a large portion of the population living on the Mediterranean Coasts. However, the largest masses of people live in the cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, and Zaragoza.
Your participation with Missions Door strengthens churches in Spain through youth ministry, leadership development, social outreach and economic development.
Cultural Snapshot
Spain is often glorified for its daily "siestas" or, roughly translated, "naps". Between about 2 and 4 pm each day, businesses close and the Spanish people take time to rest before continuing on with their day, which usually lasts much later into the night!
Faith Fact
While statistics vary, about 80% of the Spanish population claim to be Catholic. However, when asked about specific Catholic doctrine, most disagree with major tenets of the faith.
Country Profile
Population: 48 million
Major Religions: 77% Catholic, 20% Non-Believers/Atheists, 2% Other Religions
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: >98%
Poverty: 21% -- Largely in Southern Spain
Ministry service area:
International
Ministry location:
, Spain