Oneonta couple ministers to English speakers in Spain

For Dan Sims, taking the position as interim pastor of First Baptist Church of Rota, Spain, is just another open door to do what he loves. 
   
Sims, a member of First Baptist Church, Oneonta, in Friendship Baptist Association, is no stranger to shepherding churches overseas. He served as pastor of San Vito Baptist Church in San Vito, Italy, for two and a half years; pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Baumholder, Germany, for five and a half years; and interim pastor of the Azorean Baptist Church in Azores, Portugal, for three months.
   
His newest position — a 90-day assignment through the International Baptist Convention (IBC), a fellowship of English-language churches and missions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa — began April 1. The IBC, based in Germany, accepts applications from those like Sims wishing to serve in pastorate positions overseas and distributes them to churches that request an international pastor — churches like First, Rota, Spain, which was initially started to minister to servicemen and their families.
   
It soon began to reach out into Rota and the surrounding communities in an effort to reach all English-speaking people. Today the church consists of about 50 percent servicemen and 50 percent English-speaking families living in the area.
   
“I am called to this type of mission setting, ministering to the local English-speaking people as well as other nationalities who wish to attend,” Sims said. “Here at FBC Rota, we have Americans, Lebanese and Spanish attending.”
   
It’s a congregation right where his heart is, in several different ways. Retired from the Air Force, Sims’ heart goes out to servicemen and their families. That’s why he said he believes this position in Rota is a good fit. “The work here is similar to any type of interim pastorate in the (United) States,” he said. “The key thing is to be flexible and have a servant spirit.”
   
Sims said he and wife Glenda are thankful to have the support of both their family and home church. “Our family has always stood behind us and given us great support as we do what the Lord has called us to do,” he said. “I think that the hardest part of this type work is missing so many important events in their lives, but they do make quality time for us when we are home.” 
   
And First, Oneonta — where Sims also once served as pastor — has been faithful to support him and his wife. “I know he will lead many to Christ while serving in Spain,” said Andrea Towns, a ministry assistant at First, Oneonta.