Get a job...

Sometimes I wonder how I would handle a nine to five job at an office or as a blue collar worker? This thought has challenged me to view my missionary calling of sharing the Gospel of Jesus to skateboarders and to make disciples as an actual "job" or a task ordained by God for me each day. I want to take hold of this position God has given me with responsibility and excellence, whether the pay is in this life or in light of eternity. Whether in an office or in a skate plaza, I believe we are all called to live each day "in freedom and for freedom" as we experience the fullness of knowing Christ and genuinely express His love and Truth to the world around us.

I retuned to Barcelona one month ago after a very blessed time visiting my family, friends and support team in the US. It is great to be back, I feel refreshed after receiving much encouragement from all my supporters. Months seem to fly by living in a busy city like Barcelona and sometimes it is hard to slow down and reflect on all God is doing. Here is a quick recap of what has been going on this past month.

Calling All Skaters Discipleship School (DTS)

On September 16th Calling All Skaters Barcelona held our fourth discipleship training school graduation ceremony as we celebrated the spiritual growth in the lives of 5 skateboarders who committed 5 months of their lives to knowing God and making him known. Each year we host this training program created to help skaters grow in their faith. Two out of the five students have sensed God leading them to continue serving with the ministry and have begun a leadership training program with YWAM in Oregon to continue growing and preparing themselves to serve in Calling All Skaters. The life transformation that happens during these schools is one of the big reasons I believe in Calling All Skaters with all of my heart. We are already planning next years school with excitement!

PanamaLab

For me personally coming back to Barcelona meant jumping back into PanamaLab. The lab is a way of serving the skate community and connecting with skateboarders on a relational level. This past month God sent Diego a friend from Chile to help out at the lab, I was so inspired and blessed to have a partner in this ministry. Please join me in praying for a long term assistant and ministry partner for PanamaLab. Since I have been back God has given me extra levels of inspiration for this ministry and I am excited to keep investing in this project. Each week I am blessed with opportunities to build new relationships, help skaters develop their God given creativity and show my commitment to loving this community of skateboarding photographers. My prayer and hope for PanamaLab is that the Lord would give me the wisdom and boldness to share my faith openly and clearly as I connect with the skaters that walk through the door of PanamaLab.

Above - At PanamaLab with local friend Rafa and my faithful sidekick Diego.

Right - Experimenting with a handmade camera built by a friend Jorge from Cuba.

MACBA MORNINGS - LOCAL OUTREACH

The local ministry of being out in the streets and plazas connecting with skateboarders continues. Every Monday we have the opportunity to pray at "MACBA the main skate plaza and share the gospel with the international skate community that gathers there every day. This past Monday I had a conversation with Vic a Brazilian skateboarder who had attended Hillsong church here in Barcelona at the request of his girlfriend. I shared with him about Calling All Skaters, a community of skateboarding Jesus lovers who also love and understand skateboarding culture. This guy was listening intently as I shared my testimony with him about knowing Jesus personally and experiencing Him in real ways, even outside of the church. Vic shared that he felt like the church was often a closed off culture of its own and that he found it hard to relate to the people when he went. I invited Vic to come to one of our weekly Bible studies where he can continue learning about God through His word and connecting with like minded skateboarders pursuing truth.

HOW YOU CAN PRAY FOR CAS BCN

- That God would soften the hearts of skateboarders

- Divine opportunities to share the Gospel

- Financial partners to support PanamaLab (200 Euros per month need for rent)

God is doing great things and we are blessed to join Him is this kingdom adventure!

Thank you for all your prayers for skaters in Barcelona and Calling All Skaters.

God Bless

DAVE