Jeff Turnbough Saying Goodbye
Over thirty years ago Susan and I were asking God and close friends where in the world we should go to serve in God’s vast harvest field. We were open to go wherever the need was greatest and where our gifts could be used in the most strategic way. At that particular time, Spain's Francisco Franco had recently died (in 1975), ending a 40-year fascist dictatorship, and in 1978 the fledging democracy had adopted a new constitution granting religious freedom. By 1980 the door was wide open for evangelical missionaries to enter the country with religious visas. Our mentor Dan Cronk said, “Why don’t you pray about going to Spain?” We did that. A couple of years later our young family landed on Spanish soil, never having visited there before.
Thirty years later, on October 12, 2011 we said goodbye to a group of people who, over a period of years, had followed Christ and come together in a local church we now call the Villalba FWB Church. Looking back, when we arrived in Spain, we didn’t know anyone nor did we know we would spend the majority of our adult lives there. By the time we left, our kids had grown up in Spain, we had become Spanish citizens (maintaining dual citizenship), and these people had become our family. The tears we shed when leaving flowed from years of working to share the good news with a people we had grown to love.
Life was not always easy for us in Spain. There were many challenges and times of discouragement. So many times it appeared that we had arrived at dead ends, with no clear way forward. Yet, God always made a way to move forward. We would win some, and then lose some. Fellow workers would leave, and then God would bring others.
From our perspective, the most precious memories are those related to people accepting Christ and time spent in one-on-one discipleship studies. We are also thankful for the opportunity to mentor leaders and to see God bring together a diverse group of believers to form a local church. Through the years, many people passed through our lives and then moved on to other places. But, today there is a faithful group of converts gathered in Villalba who are determined to carry the responsibility of the work forward for the glory of God and His kingdom. Ministry was never easy for us in Spain, and it probably will not be easy for these believers either. But we are confident that the same God that we have found faithful over the past 30 years will continue to be faithful to His children who have taken the torch to carry on in our stead.
Susan and I stood with Jhon and Lannah before a congregation of believers, embracing, blessing and dedicating them for the work ahead. We love each other. Our tears and embraces are real, and flow from years of living life and ministering together.
While Susan and I appreciate all the personal expressions of love and affirmation that many friends gave us, there are two that stand out in our minds. One was the united and determined voice of the church leadership to carry the work forward: “We accept the responsibility of this church, and by God’s grace we commit ourselves to give our lives to carry on the ministry of this local church.” The other comment came after the special goodbye event had ended, from José Manuel, the President of the FWB Association of churches in Spain. He said: “This is the way it is supposed to be - missionaries turning the work over to the leadership who have been saved, discipled and trained through their ministry, all in love and with God receiving the honor and glory.” This is what missions is all about. To God by the glory.
We have served in Spain as missionaries in God's work of redeeming people from every nation, tribe, people and language. Other servants have come before us, and if Jesus tarries His coming, others will come after us. Ultimately the work of the Lord is not about the servants. The focus is the LORD and His work. It is truly HIS story, with our stories intertwined in His. The important thing is HIS work of redeeming people like us, like the people in Spain, or like people all over the world. It is a privilege to be able to participate in what He is doing in human history, and we ALL can have a part.
As citizens of heaven, saying goodbye to friends in Christ is soothed by the hope of spending eternity together with our Redeemer. We look forward to that time.
Side note: We have moved from Madrid to Nashville in order for me (Jeff) to continue the work of director of field operations from the home office. Along with the leadership, we believe it is important at this time for us to make this move. Like all the members of the home staff, we will still be very much involved in the task of getting the gospel to the ends of the earth. That is our lifelong passion. Please pray for all of us as we make this transition.