When Josué Pradas and Prisca Fernández were first invited to a Church Renewal Weekend, they knew there was no way they could afford a trip to Canada. And yet, the thought didn’t leave their minds. 

Josué and Prisca, who pastor a church in Algete, Spain, resolved to take the matter to prayer rather than ask anyone for the money. After all, if the Lord wanted them on that plane, they knew he would pay for the ticket.

That’s exactly what happened. Out of the blue, someone called, offering to cover the cost of the trip. They also received a prophetic word that God’s hand was in the retreat, and that going was an important step for them.

Naturally, Josué and Prisca came to the weekend with a lot of expectations. “We wanted to present ourselves before the Lord without fears, without hindering, without hiding,” said Prisca. “We wanted to be taught by him.”

The Lord honoured those open hands. Josué and Prisca were impacted by the testimonies of those running the Church Renewal Weekend, and especially the prophetic words spoken over them. This began a process of preparation as God repeatedly convicted them on the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of the Spanish people. They joined a Church Renewal International (CRI) mentoring group and began using tools in their church like SMORP, an acronym that teaches believers how to read the Bible devotionally.

Little did the couple know how much they would need those tools in the days ahead. Shortly after they began mentoring, Josué and Prisca's church went through a split, which they describe as a time of refining for their church.

“If God hadn’t prepared us at that time, I don’t think we would be where we are now,” said Josué. “Our daughters probably wouldn’t have wanted to know anything about God, and our ministry would have ceased to exist.”

As they continued in mentoring during this turbulent time, Josué and Prisca doubled down on the practices they were learning, especially prayer. Those left in their church bonded through an intense time of prayer and fasting. They also started a daily prayer group on Zoom that continues to meet to this day. Over time, the Comunidad Cristiana Maranata Algete experienced both numerical and spiritual growth as the believers in their church matured in their faith.

Breaking ground with Set Free! Retreats

Today, the couple is thankful to CRI for opening their minds to the practices they needed to revive their church and passionate about sharing these tools with other pastors. One of the ways they share about CRI is by running Set Free! Retreats. Josué and Prisca began by hosting a Set Free! in their own church, and another one for youth and young adults. The kids were especially sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit, with several of them opening up and confessing suicidal thoughts.

Josué and Prisca later ran the first Set Free! in Madrid, Spain. Josué had so much trust in the retreat, he paid to print 150 booklets after receiving just one signup.

Prisca was admittedly skeptical. “I did not have faith that we would meet the numbers,” she said. “But Josué’s a man of faith. The Lord backs him up.”

And sure enough, God did. There were 121 participants in total, mainly pastors, leaders and some members who are actively serving in their churches. Today, there are 20 Spanish pastors in CRI mentoring, largely because of this retreat.

How renewal helps communities

It’s impossible to finish Josué and Prisca’s story without highlighting the work they do beyond their church walls. Many people may not realize that CRI doesn’t just help pastors, but entire communities as well. When pastors are renewed, they renew their churches. When churches are renewed, they renew their communities. And for Josué and Prisca, who are deeply involved in overseas missions and local social work, renewing their community looks like sitting in prisons with the condemned. It’s caring for the unwanted. It’s sitting beside the beds of the sick.

The couple said CRI has opened their minds to look outward and equipped them with tools to bless others. The love they show for their community is desperately needed in Spain, which Josué and Prisca describes as a Catholic-dominant country where many people consider Christianity dead and are skeptical of anything associated with “evangelicalism.”

“They believe we as evangelicals are for poor people, people in need, or foreigners,” said Prisca. “And in a sense, they’re correct, because Jesus came for the ones in need.”

Coming up for CRI Latin America and Spain

There are currently 877 Spanish- and Portugese-speaking pastors involved in CRI Latin America, mentored by 38 coaches. As this network continues to grow, Eddy and Cristina Dubon, Directors for CRI Latin America, are working to form a support team to help with leadership.

August prayer requests

1. Pray for Josué and Prisca to have the strength to keep up with the many responsibilities they have in their church and community. Pray also for their family and two daughters.

2. Pray for Eddy and Cristina to find the right leaders to join their support team. Pray also for the Dubons' health so they continue to minister effectively.

3. Pray for more believers across Spain to be attuned to the voice of God and model godly lives to those around them, especially to young people.