AMI Missionaries

Married in 1984, we have been Pastors at the Iglesia Nueva Vida in Santander, Spain, since 1985. We have three children: Our eldest daughter, Beatriz, is married to Carlos and they have just had a son, Mateo. Our sons are Julio David and Pablo. Our two eldest children are in the ministry in the New Life Evangelical Association. Their commitment to the Lord, youth, enthusiasm and ingenuity are key to giving visibility to the social work that favours the presence of the Gospel in our community.

Our ministry began under Verner and Betty Drost, in 1981, and we took charge of the pastoral ministry in December 1985. During these years we have established new churches in the Region. Six pastors have been ordained and are in active ministry. My role consists not only of the work of the local Church but also in the coordination of the pastoral team in the Region. Since 2001, as president of the Pentecostal Apostolic Church of Spain, I also coordinate the work in Spain, as well as mentoring the National Pastors.

Twenty-seven years ago we began a ministry in Prisons that has borne much fruit. The first convert is currently pastor of a congregation in the city and of the Prison Ministry. At the same time, we began helping sexually-trafficked women fleeing from their captors. Over the years, both Elisabet and I have realized that God brought these ministries to us, although we would never have sought them. The conversions and subsequent healing of men and women on these programs have meant much to our Ministry.

Our greatest commitment has been and continues to be the presentation of the Gospel in a complete and integral way. We want to see people meet Jesus, find forgiveness and start a New Life. The world is changing and the ways of presenting this Gospel must continue to adapt while never losing the essence of their message of God’s radical love. Countries like Spain, from the old Europe, in which secularism together with the cultural rejection of anything non-Catholic hinders our work face particular challenges, but the Lord always has His methods to reach the lost. We have recently expanded our social programs to the neighbouring city of Bilbao. This work is being spearheaded by our son, Julio David.

Key areas of social action are listed below along with the names of those in charge in brackets:

1. Prison Ministry – Weekly meeting and Bible studies, psychological assistance and help towards social reintegration. There is a team of 18 volunteers involved. (Pastors Juan Luis Vicente and Jesús Jiménez)

2. Sexually-trafficked women – 122 places for women and their children (Elisabet Justamante)

3. Homeless shelter and half-way home for prisoners – a 20-bed facility in the town of Renedo (Maria Paz Allende)

4. Work with refugees – social integration programs including accommodation, help to find employment and language classes. (Julio David García)

Our churches in the region are listed below with the names of their pastors and wives in Brackets:

1. Santander: Our first Church in Cantabria, currently in need of a larger place of worship. We have experienced significant attendance growth, and currently we are havingto hold multiple services due to the security measures in place because of the pandemic. (Pastor Julio García and Elisabet Justamante, Pastor Philip Enrique and Eva Hernández)

2. Torrelavega: This Church in Cantabria’s second city has grown in recent years. The building is too small and we are looking for a new place. (Pastor César Seijas and Begoña Pereda)

3. Cabezón de la Sal: A small congregation of influence in a more rural area of our region. The pastor has undergone a liver transplant and although his health is an issue, he continues to undertake the activity of the Church. (Pastor Jesús Calvo and Conchi Arroyo).