Mission on the doorstep
Our partners share their experience of moving into a new neighbourhood in the Spanish capital
Photo: View across the rooftops of Madrid
Through simple acts like baking cookies and making space for spontaneous conversations, C and V* and their family have made the most of a recent move from coastal Spain to Madrid.
Perhaps their experiences will inspire you to love your neighbours in new ways?
New place, new possibilities
The security guard at our new housing complex claimed to not believe in God. But one day when V was coming home from the park with our kids, she asked him how he was doing.
We can’t remember exactly what he said but his response was unusual enough to make V pause and sensitively ask some questions. This led to a whole conversation about guilt, remorse and how Jesus died on the cross and rose again so that we do not need to carry our guilt and remorse anymore.
Standing by the main door of our complex, V offered to pray for this man. He was very keen for prayer for him and his family, so she started to pray right there. The security guard’s eyes filled with tears. It helped us realise that, even if people claim not to believe in God, they are desperate for hope.
The move to Madrid
This is just one of the everyday encounters we’ve experienced since our somewhat stressful move from a small town on the Spanish coast closer to the capital, Madrid, in 2025. If you’ve ever moved, you’ll know it’s a daunting experience, especially when you go to a place where you don’t know anyone. But God has brought us to the right place and surprised and blessed us with wonderful new neighbours. We were especially delighted when we discovered that another two Christian families had moved into the very same housing complex. We believe God has put us in this neighbourhood together for a purpose.
Holiday hospitality
As well as sharing fellowship with these families, we have been finding opportunities to connect with the people around us. This started back in October, at Halloween, as we wanted to do something to celebrate life. V and a neighbour got our families together to bake cookies and wrapped them up with Bible verses for neighbours.
The mums spent the evening praising God and praying for the neighbours, for the community and for Spain. Meanwhile, our kids were playing outside and giving out cookies with Bible verses. It was such a special evening! And the conversation with our security guard happened just a few days later.
We did something similar at Christmas to share the hope of Jesus – we gave out cookies again, and we saw in the New Year singing songs of worship together and praying for our neighbours. Getting to know our neighbours here has been a real blessing, and we use opportunities God gives us on a daily basis to share the love of Jesus.
Street level
As well as connecting with our immediate neighbours, C loves street evangelism, just chatting to people and hearing what they think about God. Now we are closer to the capital, he sometimes goes into the city and spends time in a busy area of central Madrid. He aims to be really non-aggressive, so simply poses questions, and creates space for people to talk and share their opinions – and some share their deeper questions about faith.
Whole-family mission
Building connections isn’t just something we do as parents – our daughter has also been involved in running a children’s club at our local church. She shares, “Every Friday, we open the church for the children in the community to come and have a Bible lesson. We usually sing some praise songs, study a Bible story, play some games and have a snack. Many of the children don’t come from Christian homes, so this ministry is a great opportunity for the church to reach out with the gospel message.
As I met some of our neighbours, I was able to invite some of their kids to come to Kids’ Club. Although they come from a non-Christian background, they enjoyed the club and we get on really well with their family.”
This children’s club has helped the church to engage with families who are otherwise unconnected with church, and some have come along to services.
Spanish inspiration
As we visited our supporters in the UK this summer and spoke in churches, some of them were inspired to try something similar in their area – maybe you could, too?
Take part
How is God leading you to connect with your neighbours?
Or is God calling you to step into mission with CMS?
*Names withheld due to some of their mission work being sensitive
