10 Lessons from the field: Malaga April 2025

I have just got back from a quick visit to our Relational Mission church plant in Malaga, called La Viña Iglesia, led by Martin and Sarah Lazenby who have been pioneering in the city for many years. Even though I was there for a short time it was encouraging to see the heart and culture of the church. Their focus? Multiplying disciples and multiplying churches. Simple. Powerful.

Lesson 1 – The Great Commission is not a part-time hobby, or a slot we squeeze into our busy schedules. It is our life. Every area of our life, everyday, this is our main purpose.

Martin and I spent some time digging into their vision using the 5T Strategy tool (Target, Team, Tools, Training, Tracking). It was great to hear the exciting “God sized” vision that they are labouring towards, and how they were making that vision part of the DNA of those that they are discipling. We spent time clarifying, and being specific about the vision and talking about the best way to articulate this so that not only is it in the hearts of those in the church, but they too are able to articulate it clearly.

Lesson 2 – Make sure that your vision is clear, “God sized” and can be articulated succinctly. Here is an example: “We’re believing God that we can plant at least one multiplying church in each of the 11 districts in our city by the end of 2026”. This is clear, measurable, and memorable. Make sure that all your leaders are united, then repeatedly cast this vision. It should shape your prayers, plans, and purpose.

Sarah shared how she’s recently started a Discovery Bible Study using the Commands of Christ. We chatted about raising a new leader within the group using MAWLS (Model, Assist, Watch, Launch, Support) so that as she journeyed with the group, the result will not only be new believers grounded firmly in their new faith, but new leaders raised up to multiply these groups in the future.

Lesson 3 – Leaders are not called to monopolise ministry but to multiply ministry. If we want to see multiplication, we need more leaders. Ensure that you have a leadership development plan so that you can equip and release many new leaders as the work grows.

Later in the afternoon we met with four members of the church in a café, sitting outside as is the culture in Spain. Even though my Spanish is non-existent, and their English was limited, we had a great time of fellowship, with Martin and Google translating!

What amazed me was how known they were in their neighbourhood. As we sat there, people walking past were greeted by name by the church members. There are totally embedded in the local community, truly present.

Lesson 4 – Jesus called us to “Go”. If we are to meet people who need Jesus we must enter into their communities and into their lives. We must be well connected into our neighbourhood as we live for Jesus and be a blessing to those around us.

It wasn’t long before someone they greeted sat down and join us at the table. It was amazing to hear her story! She had a growth on her jaw, and was waiting for surgery to remove it. She asked the church to pray for her, which they gladly did. A week later, the growth had disappeared confounding the doctors and surgeons who could find no trace of it. This lady is still not yet a believer, but gives God the credit for her healing.

As we rejoiced in this healing story another woman stopped and asked for prayer for anxiety. We went to the back of a shop and prayed for healing for her. This lady was also not a believer but the power of God was with us as we prayed.

Lesson 5 – Prayer is a great way of connecting with people and demonstrating the power of God. “Can I pray for you?” might be one of the best things toy can ask someone. Pray for healing, pray for deliverance, pray for circumstances to change, pray God’s peace and blessing, pray for anything! This allows God to work, and them to encounter Him in all His glory!

As we came out of the shop the first woman started to share her healing story of healing with the second. One unbeliever telling another unbeliever how God healed her. On the street outside a cafe! God is able to use anyone to share with others!

Lesson 6 – Encourage people to tell their stories, whether they are believers or not yet believers. This gives glory to God, demonstrates to those who hear that we serve a living powerful God, and encourages the labourers that God is indeed at work.

As we continued around the table with the first lady, the conversation quickly turned to her faith and the gospel. Questions like “what is stopping you from turning to Jesus and believing in him?” flow very naturally and easily. Although she did not turn and believe on Jesus at that time, she is very close. Every time she meets with believers she hears the gospel and the invitation to start to follow the one who healed her.

Lesson 7 – Whenever possible get to the gospel. We can’t just stop at stories and miracles – we’ve got to lovingly call people to respond to the gospel.

One of the church members then invited her to join a Discovery Bible Study group that meets in her community. She accepted the invitation and went away with a smile on her face, encouraged to continue to think about all that God had done and to start to explore Christianity further.

Lesson 8 – Have a discipleship plan so that you have a pathway for new and not yet believers to be discipled. Ensure that everyone in the church is equipped to do it, not just the “leaders”.

In the evening we had a small group of leaders for a training session, digging in to Mark 4:26-29 – Jesus’ pattern for Kingdom growth. It was so refreshing to see how these leaders embraced this teaching, they didn’t just agree with it – they saw that they were already living it.

Lesson 9 – Equip people with biblical patterns of ministry which come straight from the word. Show them what Jesus did and encourage them to go and do the same.

As Martin and I travelled back to the airport we reflected on their seven years of pioneering in Malaga. The vision from day one was clear: new Spanish-speaking disciples, raising-up local leaders, and multiplying churches across the city. After years of labouring and pushing through challenges – it’s starting to happen. We prayed with thankfulness for the faithfulness of God, and for the trusted co-labourers that have joined them.

Lesson 10 – Celebrate faithful wholehearted obedience, even when fruit is slow to come. Sometimes the journey shapes the labourer to be completely dependant on God. We must review, learn, and seek God’s guidance as we go, but let us encourage and celebrate every small advance with those who are obedient to the call to go and make disciples.

It was an encouraging 24 hours in Malaga. We rejoiced in all that God is doing, we looked forward with vision and faith to what God is going to do, and we gave thanks for labourers who are daily living out the call to make disciples as part of their everyday life.

Some questions that you might like to reflect upon:

• Is your church’s vision God-sized, clear, and easy to share?
• Do you have a strategy for reaching the lost?
• Do you have a gospel sharing strategy?
• Do you have a discipleship pathway for new and not yet believers?
• Is everyone in your church equipped and released to live a disciple making life?

If you want to talk more about equipping your church to live like this, I’d love to help — feel free to reach out!