Sunday Highlight: April 30, 2023

Today in our prayer time, we’re focus on Spain to hear how one of our missionaries ministered during the COVID-19 crisis. Let’s pray today for Rusty Ford, who normally serves as a church planter in Seville. But when the virus left Spain locked down, church planting was not possible. What could he do? He heard of a nearby nursing home where nearly 80 residents suffered from COVID-19, and 24 of them died. Despite not being Catholic, Rusty talked his way into the home. Wearing a hazmat suit and other gear, he worked long days helping feed the residents, clean them up in some cases, and generally lending a hand where needed. When Rusty went home at night, he washed carefully to protect his wife and four children.

For weeks he was able to talk to residents about Jesus and their need of Him. Remember that less than 1% of Spain’s people are evangelical believers. Many of the nursing home residents heard the Gospel for the first time. Later, Rusty was even able to lead a Bible study for residents, again an interesting thing for a missionary from the United States. As COVID-19 declined, Rusty returned to planting churches.

But his experience shows how important it is to witness wherever it’s possible. Our church supports Rusty through the Cooperative Program.