Sharing the gospel in the beaches of Mallorca
Reach Mallorca gathers 250 young Christians from Germany and Switzerland. “There is a great interest in God and spiritual topics among German visitors”.
Livenet.ch · MALLORCA · 03 AUGUST 2023 · 18:20 CET
Mallorca is one of the favourite holiday destinations of the German and British tourists of all ages, thousands of them travel to the Spanish island every summer.
For more than ten years, young Christians from Germany and Switzerland have also travelled to Mallorca, to take part in the Reach Mallorca outreach initiative, sharing the gospel with anyone they meet.
This year, between 29 July and 4 August, 250 young people are organising church services and activities on the beach, as well as helping tourists. Never before has there been such a large group.
Beach services
Every evening, short 30-minute services are held on Platja de Palma, a beach very close to a very popular night club among Germans, the Mega Park, on topics such as partying or sex, among others, and what God would have to say about such things.
“We experience, especially where you wouldn't expect it, that there is a great interest in God and spiritual topics among German visitors to Mallorca”, says Gernot Elsner, co-founder of Reach Mallorca.
On most evenings, about 150 to 200 passers-by listen and also experience street art and music. If they wish, they can have someone pray for them.
In addition to the beach services, there are many face to face talks every evening and activities in small side streets.
Like in previous editions, the beach services take place in cooperation with Spanish churches on the island, and this year, for the first time, there was also a joint service with them on a party boat at Cala Rajada, where party tourists can also join in.
“We are happy that a close partnership has developed over the last two years”, points out Elsner.
Street Angels
Furthermore, every night, a team of the "Reach Mallorca" participants go to the British party zone of Magaluf, to collaborate with the Street Angels, a ministry that cares for vulnerable people during the night.
In Magaluf, the tourists are younger than in the rest of the island, many almost teenagers. They come in groups, after finishing secondary school or in the first years of University, to spend a week just partying and drinking.
The Street Angels bring drunken tourists safely back to their hotel, administer basic first aid, warn people of risks, counsel about how to find stolen or lost items, or help to stop drinking, among other things.
They can be recognised by their yellow high-visibility waistcoats.
“We just want to show people the practical love of Jesus. We believe that, if He were working in the earth now, Magaluf would be a place where he would be, and we want to be there, just helping people in the way that He did”, explained Cameron Springthorpe, a British yacht skipper living in Mallorca, who found “Street Angels Spain” in 2012.
Published in: Evangelical Focus - cities - Sharing the gospel in the beaches of Mallorca