Mission to Spain

WHO EMILY IS

Born and raised in Ohio, along with 5 siblings, Emily is a people person. Evident from just a few years old, Emily's two favorite things were Jesus and people. As a child, she was nicknamed the "Playground Preacher" since she'd approach just about anyone to make friendships and tell people about the hope that she had in Christ. This love for people blossomed as she got older and around 10 years old, God told her to go to Spain as a missionary. Over the next 15 years, she has been on that trajectory, studying Intercultural Studies and Spanish, studying abroad in Spain, serving at church, and volunteering at an orphanage in Mexico. As the last step of preparation, God brought her to Cross of Grace Santa Ana to be better equipped to serve the church and the Hispanic community. When not telling people about Jesus, you will often find Emily playing some sport, chasing kids around, or taking in the beauty of God's creation. 

WHAT SHE'S DOING

Emily's main role in this Spanish church plant will be in outreach. As an active young adult and crazy extrovert, Emily plans to dive into community events, clubs, and volunteer services that will connect her to her new Santander neighbors and their needs, with the hope of sharing the gospel with them as that door opens. Emily will also be serving more directly with the church in their every day functions, and will be taking a leadership role for the children's ministry. Another way that Emily will connect with her neighbors is by assistant teaching English at the local highschool. Emily's prayer is that as she befriends her neighbors, students, club mates, and more that many opportunities to share the gospel would arise and that she would 'let her light shine before others, so that they may see her good works and give glory to her Father who is in heaven.' 

HOW OUR CHURCH AIMS TO SPREAD THE JOY OF JESUS ALL THE WAY FROM SANTA ANA TO SANTANDER. 

As her sending church, Cross of Grace Santa Ana is partnering in the efforts of church planting in Santander, Spain, by equipping, assisting, and sending Emily to the church plant. In so doing, we are fulfilling the Great Commission by sending a disciple to make more disciples. 

Matthew 28:10

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Emily Jones, a missionary sent by Cross of Grace Church to Santander, Spain, is assisting in a local church plant headed up by Pastor Norman and Barbara Pedd. From a young age, Emily has heard the missional call on her life, and is excitedly pursuing the Lord's leading in this small local church plant. Through her God-given gifts, she will be supporting their efforts through community connections, functional church support, and evangelistic outreaches. The need for Christ in this region is so evident with the population of evangelical Christians being less than 2% in Spain and there being no other Christian church in the city of Renedo. As Emily considers this mission, and what the Lord will do, her prayer for Gracia Soberana de Santander is Ephesians 3:20 and 21.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)

Please pray for and support this new church and the connections to be made with their neighbors.