“Simply excellent” is how Manuel Sarrias described Spain’s partnership with Alabama Baptists.
As general secretary for the Baptist Union of Spain, Sarrias said, “We found a certain elegance, very deep brotherhood and some very strong and deep links that we established with our brothers in Alabama.
“Practically all the different aspects of the Baptist Union have been involved in the partnership — officials of the convention, women, young people, churches and associations,” he said. “Also, in social aspects, the children’s home and retirement home have been very blessed by this partnership.”
The partnership had an extra bonus in that Reggie Quimby, director of global partnerships for the State Board of Missions, had formerly served as a missionary in Spain.
Although in the beginning there was a little uncertainty about it, “we soon saw that this partnership was special.” “That doesn’t mean everything has been marvelous, … but in general, it has been honestly very positive. That is how it has been received by the members here,” he said.
“The partnership with Alabama has helped us (in preparing for a new partnership),” he said. “It has opened up a lot of doors with us. We are a lot more clear on how these work.”
The highlight of the partnership for Sarrias was “the feeling of brotherhood among believers — that we were in agreement of where we were going and of the same mindset. “This proves the biblical principles are true,” he said. “We can have a different language, different culture, different customs, but we are one in Christ.”
He also believes many Alabama Baptist left excited. “I was impacted by he spirit of Alabama Baptist when they came,” he said. “It goes without saying, it meant a lot — the financial sacrifice many made to come. Many used vacation time to come. Hen things are done with that kind of spirit, it is blessed.”
Alabama will make one final official impact at the upcoming annual convention.
Seeking a year of renewal to the faithfulness of God for all Spanish Baptist, “we’re trying to tell the churches to return to their first love and to return to Christ,” he said. “Claude King is coming to the convention and his book Fresh Encounter (coauthored by Henry Blackaby) will be handed out there.
“Alabama helped us get books and made arrangements for Dr. King to come to the convention,” Sarrias said.
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