20 years of proclaiming the Good News in
Program to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Kim, pastor and missionary to Spain
OCTOBER 12, 2008
HISTORICAL PROFILE OF LA ROCA EVANGELICAL CHURCH (VALLADOLID AND MEDINA DE RIOSECO)
In 1988, Pastor Kim Young-ea responded to the missionary call and started her pastoral journey in
At the start, the work of Pastor Kim focused on the Korean community in Castilla y Leon. At that time there was a considerable number of migrant families engaged in the gym and digitopuncture business.
In 1990, the Korean community acquired a property in
During the next five years, Kim's pastoral ministry among the Korean community underwent an important change due to the conversions in Spanish families. It was at this time that two worship celebrations started, one for Koreans and the other for Spaniards.
In 1994, as the Spanish membership increased, the church rented a property to celebrate its worship on Sundays and weekdays. By that time, the Korean church took a direction different from that of the Spanish. A considerable number of Koreans had moved to work in
In the year 2000, the young church with visions of expansion extended its mission work to Medina de Rioseco, a city of 5,000 inhabitants without testimony and church. The only evangelical presence was that of the gypsy community.
In the summer of 2001, the first evangelistic campaign in Medina de Rioseco was held. During this time, the church was introduced to the local authorities, letting the latter know of the
Towards the end of the campaign and after several weeks of visits, the first contacts were established in Medina de Rioseco. The church saw the first conversions in the locality as fruit of this work.
On November 23, 2002, the place of worship in Medina de Rioseco, a former pub at Quinto Centenario Street was dedicated to the Lord. From that date onwards, Jesus Christ’s testimony and the sowing of the Word have been constant.
The vision and charge to bring the Gospel to all Castilla y Leon is a firm commitment of the La Roca Evangelical Church. The faith of its pastor and her trust in the Lord has been the main impetus for this congregation. The key to its growth and fruitful harvest has been the sharing of natural gifts and talents of the believers, the participation in ministries of every man and woman one who wants to serve, and the fellowship of the believers through the family groups.
Today, the La Roca family counts among its members Spaniards, Koreans and other nationalities, a consequence of the marked increase in migration experienced by Spain over the last few years.
In 2006, the congregation acquired a 1,500-square meter lot in an area five kilometers north of the city. The acquisition of the property was an important turning point for the church. From then on, the Sunday worship celebrations are held at the new facilities. A free bus service is provided for members who cannot come by car. Between weekends, the church holds fellowships through the family groups. The church has an office at the city center where it does its welfare and civic activities. Many people in need of some form of assistance come to the office daily.
We are very grateful to the Lord for His mercy and faithfulness, to the people who have been helping us to this day, especially to the Global Missions Department, Mission Africa and
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