Listen closely. The story of Iglesia Evangelista in Madrid involves faith religious freedom and a growing community. This house of worship stands as a testament to the evolving religious landscape of Spain.
Iglesia Evangelista is part of a larger narrative. It is about the growth of Evangelical Christianity in a traditionally Catholic country. For centuries Catholicism dominated Spain. However the 20th and 21st centuries saw Protestant groups grow especially with the immigration of Pentecostal Christians.
Spain’s religious landscape has shifted. Once marked by a singular faith it now reflects a diverse range of beliefs. The Observatory of Religious Pluralism highlights this change. It reveals the challenges and opportunities facing Christians in Spain.
Of almost 31000 places of worship across Spain the vast majority are Catholic or Evangelical. Muslims follow in third place. Evangelical churches have shown a significant increase since 2011.
The growth in Evangelical churches is driven by believers from Latin America. A 2019 report noted their concentration in urban centers. Madrid has over 420 Evangelical churches. Barcelona has 220 and Valencia 112. Over 90% of Spanish towns lack an Evangelical place of worship.
The regional government of Madrid recognized the added value that evangelicals bring to society. Madrid is the only Spanish region to take this step. There are over 250000 evangelicals in the region with over 750 places of worship.
The government emphasized the historical presence of Protestants in Madrid. It cited figures like Luis de Usoz y Río and George Borrow. Religious freedom has been a long journey in Spain. Institutional recognition of Reformation Day marks progress.
After the Civil War about 30 Protestant pastors fled the country. Protestant schools were closed. Religious freedom was curtailed during the Francoist dictatorship. Public activity was prohibited and Protestants faced legal harassment.
Non-Catholic services could not be held in buildings with exterior signs indicating worship. New places of worship were forbidden. Protestant marriages were not recognized. Some groups formed trading companies under foreign embassies to bypass these restrictions.
In 1959 the World Evangelical Fellowship called for prayers for Spanish Protestants. The Second Vatican Council and foreign lobbying led to the Law of Religious Freedom in 1967. This law provided an image of modernization.
Today Spain guarantees religious liberties. The Spanish government observes the 1978 Constitution and the Law of Religious Freedom of 1980. In 2018 there were 4238 evangelical places of worship.
Many churches in Spain confuse or lose the gospel in their preaching. Yet a small network of churches loves gospel clarity and church health. The percentage of evangelical Christians in Spain is small. Spanish culture is increasingly secular.
Most converts are people from other countries living in Spain. Many churches are vague about what makes a real Christian. Much of what passes as evangelism appeals to people’s felt needs.
Church membership is often a formality. Many churches do not emphasize commitment to a local church. Church discipline is often lacking leading to licentiousness or legalism. There is renewed interest in discipleship.
More churches are moving toward leadership teams of pastors and elders. Spain needs the gospel even if they don’t realize it. Most evangelical churches are young and struggling to find their identity. But there’s a gospel centered healthy church movement.
So as you stand before Iglesia Evangelista remember its significance. It stands for faith freedom and the growing Evangelical community in Madrid and Spain.