A short history of EJE in Spain
We have already seen God do an incredible work in the hearts of the youth who have attended each of the many events to date in Spain. Our hearts have been moved as well with hope for what God is doing in the young people of Spain. What a treat to experience first hand 45 youth working together to serve their peers and communicate the reality of a God who loves them. After each event we enjoy hearing the stories of how this has affected the relationships of most value to them.
 |
|
The 45 who served in EJE of 2008 |
Our first EJE in Spain took place in January of 2006, after years of preparation. It would not have been possible without the help of 25 Argentinean youth, experienced in the direction of the event, who came to help us. In October 2006, four youth come from Argentina to help. All the other workers were youth from various cities in Spain, many of them who participated for the first time in our inaugural event! This is clear evidence that the event impacted their lives and that they believe in its value for impact in the lives of their friends. Our 6th event took place in March of 2010. We are seeing that it is a tremendous tool to bring spiritual healing to the lives of Spanish youth.
In April of 2010, a group of youth in Barcelona had their very own EJE event with the help of many Spanish youth who traveled up to help them from Madrid. Paul also joined them in October of 2010 with 12 from Madrid for their second EJE event. They have now impacted the lives of more than 40 young people in Barcelona, many of whom had no relationship with Christ, and are continuing in regular discipleship ministries with these youth. This is a new stage of ministry in which we see God using those to whom we have ministered now reaching out to others with God's love. We have experienced a tremendous blessing being able to serve the youth of Spain and giving them a way to allow God to move and minister through them to their peers.
What is EJE?
EJE is a huge production - art, audiovisual, music, acting - and also an intense time of personal sharing. The name itself is an acrostic, which might translate to “Spiritual Youth Encounter”, but also means “axle”. Usually there are two people “working” in EJE for each one who “lives” it. Our rented facility allows for 35 youth to experience the event for the first time in each EJE event. Many of the youth invited to attend EJE either have unbelieving parents, or fathers who have little or nothing to do with them. Some of their fathers, who in the past didn't care a bit about what their kids did, have even refused to give permission for them to attend the retreat. Please pray for those who are not able to attend and for parents who need softened hearts and who will do their part to give their kids a fantastic weekend at some future EJE weekend. We appreciate your continued prayers for all our youth, the relational and spiritual issues that many are working through, and the follow up that happens with each of them.
What is our role?
Ellie has been instrumental in intercessory prayer, supporting behind the scenes every step of the way, while Paul has had a key role in the video and audio production tasks as well as the music through the weekend. The result of this event is more evident in the months following the event as the youth who “lived” the experience for the first time really think about how they relate to others and to Jesus. Some will also see it as a practical tool for reaching their peers for Christ. We pray continually that these youth will meet God and be convinced of his deep, deep love for them.
