About The Lighthouse Campello with Joel and Magaly
Located on the sunny Mediterranean coast, the city of El Campello, Spain has provided a safe harbor for sailors throughout human history. It's central beacon tower dates back to the Middle Ages, when it would be lit to warn other coastal towns of coming invaders. In the 21st century, the Lighthouse, or "El Faro" in Spanish, shines a different kind of light, and seeks to spread the Good News of a coming Savior up and down the Spanish coast.
While many people associate Spain with staunch Catholicism, the last several decades have actually seen a sharp increase in secularism. Recent polls show that 28% of people identify as either atheist or agnostic, and that atheism is the fastest growing faith conviction in the country. The overall attitude of many Spaniards is either anti-religious, or simply indifferent to matters of faith. This makes Spain one of the most difficult countries to plant churches in, and one of the least Christian countries in Europe.
But in the city of El Campello, the prayers of generations of missionaries and faithful Christians are being answered. What makes The Lighthouse so special is that it is both international, and Spanish-speaking, and God is using this powerful dynamic in exciting ways to bring people to Himself. Most international churches use only English in their services and outreaches, and most Spanish-speaking churches are not international.
But at The Lighthouse, Spanish people get to see something that doesn't look like their typical ideas of religion. People from over 15 different countries, speaking 9 different mother tongues, gather as one body to display a love that goes deeper than simply having things in common. But, the centrality of the Spanish language leaves the door open for locals as well as immigrants and expats. And thanks be to God, both local Spaniards and people from Ireland, China, England, the Netherlands and many Latin American countries have come to receive the light of Christ through this community!
