FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Why so
much money?
A: The cost of living in Spain
is considerably more expensive than in the United States.
For example, the cost of gasoline is $5.00 to $6.00 per
gallon. While some items are less expensive, the items that
push up the cost of living most in Spain are precisely land
and construction. There is less land available in Spain. In
the city of Madrid, the average cost of a 1,000 square foot
apartment is approximately $485,000.
Q: Why
not buy an existing motel or center?
A: That is a
very good idea! As a matter of fact,
we have investigated this possibility and have actually
located two different existing retreat centers that were
for sale. However, the amount of land was limited in each
place, and the cost was extremely elevated for buildings
that were very old. The price was the equivalent of over
one million US dollars. We believe we can lessen the cost
by using professional volunteers from churches in the USA,
and design the center more efficiently and specifically to
meet our particular needs in a more effective way.
Regardless, we continue to look at existing buildings along
with tracts of land to develop. We believe that building
ourselves will bring believers together from the USA and
Spain and be mutually beneficial. It will give
professionals in the USA many opportunities to serve, as
well as set an example for and be a blessing to local FWB
believers and churches in Spain now and in the future.
Q: Is it
worth it?
A: We realize the cost is
great. However, we also believe the value of a soul is much
greater. Since God has opened the door for FWBIM workers to
be in Spain, we must do our best to reach as many people as
possible. After 30 years of experience with a people that
are extremely difficult to reach, we believe the National
Ministry Center will catapult the work forward in
significant ways. It will provide new and creative ways to
reach many more people with the Gospel. It will unify the
existing works by giving a sense of centrality to our work.
It will give a sense of permanency and credibility both for
people in the churches and for people in Spanish society in
general –ingredients that have been lacking up to
this point. These are components that are essential for
greater sustained church growth.
Q: When
will you do this?
A: We have divided the project
into phases. The first phase involves purchasing the best
tract of land possible that will be outside the city, yet
accessible for the believers and workers of our FWB works.
Our goal is to complete Phase I within three years. Whether
or not we can begin to construct the first building of the
center with these funds will depend on the exact cost of
the land at the time of purchase. We are aware of tracts of
land right now that cost in the neighborhood of $200,000.
However, until we have funds to make a bid on land, we
cannot make definite plans either to purchase the land or
to begin construction of the first building. Regardless of
these factors, since the NMC will be multi-functional in
nature, there will be additional buildings constructed
during following phases to develop other ministries. Once
the land is purchased, we will revise the blueprints in the
master plan to accommodate all the ministries we hope to
incorporate at the National Ministry Center now and in the
future.
Q: Do
national believers in Spain support this project?
A: Yes! The churches and
believers in Spain will contribute financially to the NMC
project. However, because the five local FWB churches are
small and struggling financially, their contributions will
be limited. The possible benefits they will receive are
unlimited. As expatriates in Spain, FWBIM workers believe
the NMC is a strategic contribution that Free Will Baptists
in the United States can make to impact God’s Kingdom
work in Spain now and for many years to come. Existing Free
Will Baptist Churches in Spain have legally organized the
National Association of Free Will Baptists, called
the Federación
de Iglesias Evangélicas Bautistas Libres de
España (FIEBLE). FIEBLE has adopted
the NMC project enthusiastically. National leaders will be
involved in the purchase of the land, as well as in every
step of the construction of the center.
Q: What
can I/we do to help?
A: You can begin by praying. We
truly believe that having strategic prayer partners is the
very first and most fundamental help we need. Would you
commit to pray, beginning today? We also need individuals,
small groups, Sunday School classes, and local churches to
partner by giving money. If 500 individuals, small groups,
Sunday School classes and local churches would give a
one-time gift of $1,000, we would have the money to begin!
Maybe you or your group can give more than that! We are
also offering the opportunity to partner with us by
pledging to give on a monthly basis for the next three
years. Would you commit to give something? Maybe you know
of, or can help put us in contact with, other groups or
foundations that will be willing to help. Once the land is
purchased and permissions are granted to begin
construction, we will need construction volunteers to come
help. Maybe you could be one of these volunteers! You can
keep updated through our email updates and/or on this
website.
Q: What
is the best way for me to let you know in what ways I am
going to partner with you?
A: We have included a
Contact Form here for you to use. Fill
that out and click “send info”. That will be
a great encouragement to us, as well as a blessing for
you. You can also contact us via email at the following
addresses:
smcvay@fwbgo.com
jturnbough@fwbgo.com
All gifts are tax deductible. Gifts should be made out to:
Free Will
Baptist International Missions
Vision Project – Mission: Spain
P.O. Box 5002
Antioch, TN 37011
You can also give donations online at the mission web site:
http://www.fwbgo.com
Select “GIVE”, then “Give a one-time
donation today”,
and then “Spain Retreat/Camp”.
Or, you can select “set up a monthly, automatic draft
of your account.”