Ms. Nike Luqman Granted the Royal Order of Queen Isabella the Catholic

His Majesty, Felipe VI, King of Spain, granted the Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic to Ms. Nike Luqman (Beltran), director of relations with the consular offices of the mayor of Houston, for her continuous work in strengthening the ties of collaboration and friendship between Spain and the United States.  

Nike, honored by the Mayor of Houston and the Consulate General of Spain

Nike was raised in the Trinity Baptist Church in Dénia where her father was senior pastor and in fact, the Beltran Library of Colegio Alfa & Omega was named after her parents. She and her sister Lydia came to the US to attend Baylor University and after graduation, Nike married a Texan, became a US citizen and eventually made Texas her permanent home.

Houston’s City Hall Celebrating Nike’s Honor

The Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic is a Spanish civil order of chilvary and honor granted to persons and institutions in recognition of extraordinary services to the homeland or the promotion of international relations and cooperation with other nations. By law, its Grand Master is the King of Spain, and its Grand Chancellor is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the realm of services to the homeland, the Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic is the highest civil honor granted by the Kingdom of Spain. Nike is a faithful supporter of Colegio Alfa & Omega and the Denia Bridges Foundation and is the first Protestant in the 200+ year history of the Order to have been awarded this honor.

Alfa & Omega's American Camp 2023 Report by Eunice and Hugo

Campers enjoying a bit of Americana in Spain

During our annual American Camp, held from the 3rd to the 8th of July, a total of 70 children had the opportunity to participate in the nighttime activities, while another 150 children attended the daytime activities. The camp counselors from Dallas Bible University (DBU) played a prominent role in carrying out various activities such as Bible stories, sports, crafts, and music. Each afternoon, before enjoying the pool and having ice cream at the oasis, an exciting adventure took place. The nights were filled with fun through scavenger hunts, costumes, shows, and special activities to celebrate the 4th of July. The love of God was evident in this place, and the gospel was shared with many boys and girls from Spain.

DBU’s camp counselor team

In the camp nights, a variety of exciting activities were organized, allowing the 70 participating children to enjoy unforgettable moments. Scavenger hunts were a highlight of the nights, where children took part in challenging games and team tasks that fostered cooperation and camaraderie.

In addition to scavenger hunts, themed shows were held where children could showcase their talent and creativity. Costumes and theatrical performances brought imaginary characters to life and encouraged children to express themselves freely and share their enthusiasm.

Every day the 150 children attending the daytime activities engaged in a wide range of enriching activities. Each afternoon, before enjoying the pool and savoring a delicious ice cream at the oasis, an exciting adventure took place. These outdoor adventures, such as hiking, orienteering games, and treasure hunts, provided children with the opportunity to explore nature and work together as a team.

The Fourth of July in Dénia!

In addition to the adventures, sessions of Bible stories were held, where children learned valuable moral and spiritual lessons. These stories conveyed God's love and promoted values such as friendship, kindness, and compassion.

Sports also played an important role in the daytime activities. Children participated in soccer, basketball, and other sports games and competitions, promoting physical activity, cooperation, and sportsmanship.

Crafts and music were creative and expressive activities at the camp. Children had the opportunity to engage in craft projects that stimulated their imagination and artistic skills. Additionally, music sessions allowed them to learn inspiring songs and enjoy the joy and unity that music can bring.

The American Camp not only focused on providing fun and enriching activities but also stood out for sharing the gospel with the participants. DBU monitors conveyed God's love through Bible stories and spiritual lessons. Children from Spain were given the opportunity to hear and learn about the Christian faith, sharing the message of hope and salvation.

Eunice and Hugo

July 13th, 2023

Dénia

DBF Donors Help Alfa & Omega Purchase New Support Vehicle

Alfa & Omega’s New Utility Vehicle

Sadly, Colegio Alfa & Omega’s furgoneta (a small utility vehicle) finally conked out in early January after 25 years of service. The center uses this vehicle to run errands, get supplies and for going back and forth to the airport to pick up volunteers, missionaries and other visitors to the school. Fortunately, DBF was able to provide funding to help Eunice and Hugo purchase the new vehicle. We, the volunteer DBF board members, are so grateful for the donors who make this support of Colegio Alfa & Omega possible.

JORGE J. PASTOR-MUT DELIVERS CLOSING SERMON IN THE CATHEDRAL OF VALENCIA

JORGE J. PASTOR-MUT, PARTICIPATES IN THE CATHEDRAL OF VALENCIA, IN THE CLOSURE OF THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR THE UNITY OF CHRISTIANS.

As every year, the Week of Prayer for the unity of Christians throughout the world is celebrated on these dates. In the city of Valencia the meeting was closed with the participation in the final preaching of the Dianense pastor Jorge J. Pastor-Mut (founder of the Alfa & Omega school), invited by Archbishop Enric Benavent and the collaboration of Carmen Sarmiento, president of the Interfaith Ecumenical Center From Valencia.

The central theme of this Week of Prayer has been based on the motto "Do good and seek justice" (Isaiah 1:7), prepared by the communion of churches of different denominations in Minneapolis and inspired by the fact that caused the riots. races in Minnesota when the young African-American George Floyd died with the white policeman's boot around his neck and shouting "I can't breathe".

Jorge J. Pastor-Mut, exposed the word based on Psalm 82: 1-4 "Do justice to the orphan and the poor, defend the humble and the needy", and the gospel of Luke 18: 1-8; "Won't God do justice to his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? He alluded to "the need for all Christian churches to join efforts to walk in favor of just and necessary actions to transform this unjust world, because injustices cause inequalities and we cannot look the other way."

On the other hand he insisted saying; "The great challenge that the world today presents to all of us - from different Christian churches - is to ensure that the church is seen as a place of God and outside of temporal power."

He ended by emphasizing that Christians are called to live justice, from the basis of "God above all." And continue to have a militant attitude yelling like George Floyd; I CANNOT BREATHE, because the evils that exist drown us and the injustices overwhelm the human being. I can't breathe when I see the miseries, hunger, abuse, suicides, divorces, abortions, revenge, manipulation, discrimination, environmental deterioration, corruption, invasions, debauchery, coercion and lack of social justice. I can't breathe seeing so many divisions and clashes. We are called to defend justice in all people without discrimination such as health, freedom, security, dignity, claiming human rights that are underestimated and care for Creation.

To end the event, the Archbishop closed with a few words of gratitude to the entire audience and encouraging them to continue on the path of prayer and action. He also thanked the participation of Pastor-Mut and all the representatives of different confessions that were present, both Christian and Jewish. The choir of the Reform directed by Gerson Padilla participated with exquisite elegance and put the finishing touch to the closing meeting of the Week of Prayer for Christian unity.

¡Feliz Navidad 2022! DBF's End of Year Update

In October, Sue and I were finally able to return to Dénia after four long years of waiting and waiting for the Spanish government to loosen up their travel restrictions. It was such a joy to attend a service at the church, walk down the paseo in Les Rotes and spend time catching up with Jorge and Encarnita and with Eunice and Hugo and all of our adopted family in Dénia. We were amazed at how God continues to bless our beloved ministries in Spain.  I hope that you too can make a pilgrimage back to Dénia again soon.

While we were there, we witnessed first-hand how Alfa & Omega integrates faith with learning. In a surprise (to us) all school assembly they called “A Gratitude Celebration”, Alfa honored the Dénia Bridges Foundation and thanked our community through music and words from the students and teachers for our prayer and financial support. They specifically highlighted the donations from DBF that made the bus trip for the life changing Nick Vujicic event in Madrid possible for the 100 secondary students. It was a very special time but to us the most interesting aspect was how the school uses an assembly like this as a teaching opportunity about the importance of having a generous heart. Tying generosity to the super fun field trip made an abstract concept come to life for the students. This is just one more example of why Colegio Alfa & Omega is a model for Christian education in a post-Christianity Europe.

God bless you for all your prayers and financial support for this and other important projects that you'll read about below.

And on behalf of the board of the Dénia Bridges Foundation,

may God fill your life with love, joy, and peace this Christmas Season and throughout the New Year.

Scott Johnson
President and Co-founder

Jorge Pastor awarded the Gaspar de Centelles Prize

On Monday, October 31, the Protestant Counsel of the Valencian Community (CECVA), celebrated the Day of the Protestant Reformation at the Evangelical Baptist Church "La Trinitat" in Denia, which was attended by some 150 people.

After a welcome to the attendees by the President of the Council, Javier Piquer, an opening prayer and praise, the pastor and lecturer Pau Grau i Ballester painted a historical portrait of the leader of the Pedralba group and Valencian Protestant martyr, Gaspar de Centelles i Fabra , who was martyred in Valencia on September 17, 1564 in a public bonfire, simply for defending and not renouncing his Lutheran faith.

"Let's remember and not forget the long and fruitful fight for religious freedom for more than 450 years in the lands of the Valencian Community," said Grau.

Gaspar de Centelles Awards

Subsequently, the first edition of the "Gaspar de Centelles" awards for the defense of religious freedom was awarded to Pastor Jorge Pastor and two other pastors for their personal merits and ministerial career.

Jorge gave a few words of gratitude, recalling stages of his life in which he had to suffer the lack of basic liberties such as religious freedom and he then dedicated his award to men and women who fought and continue to do so for this basic human right.

After reading scripture from the Bible, the group sang an adaptation of the classic hymn “Strong Castle”, composed by the German reformer, Martin Luther.

Elias Nofuentes, the current pastor of the church in Dénia, closed the proceedings by delivering a message in which he invited those present to rethink, communicate and persevere in their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of the current popular culture.

Colegio Alfa & Omega Invests in its Future Sustainability with Solar Power

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has generated great instability and uncertainty in the European energy markets. As a result, Colegio Alfa & Omega’s energy costs have more than doubled since the war started which has created an impossibly difficult financial situation for the school. It simply can’t afford ongoing energy costs at the current level.

Fortunately, God has a solution that doesn’t depend upon fossil fuels availability and market volatility. Alfa’s campus has plenty of available roof-top space upon which it can leverage what God is already providing in abundance in Dénia. This of course is sunshine!

So after Alfa conducted a successful trial run with 15 solar panels that cut it’s current energy cost in about half, DBF is providing funding for the installation of 24 additional panels which will further lower Alfa’s cost of energy to a degree that in some months would eliminate its energy bills entirely. And during days of full sun, Alfa would give energy back to the power grid that it can use as a credit against future energy costs. This investment will pay for itself in less than twelve months.

As Colegio Alfa & Omega is a model for Christian education in Europe, this funding will help ensure that the school continues to apply its scarce resources towards its mission of providing the highest quality Christ-centered education in Spain rather than on exorbitant energy costs. Investing in Alfa & Omega’s ongoing financial sustainability fits squarely within DBF’s overall mission of supporting Christian education and youth development in Spain.

Other benefits of this investment are:

1) Reduces Alfa’s carbon footprint

2) Provides a real-life opportunity to teach students about our responsibility to be good stewards of God’s creation.

3) Provides an excellent opportunity to teach students about alternative energy sources.

4) Frees up more funds to provide enrichment to students.

Alfa's Secondary Students Travel to Madrid to see Evangelist Nick Vujicic

In the wee hours of Saturday, October 1st, one hundred Alfa & Omega secondary students boarded two buses headed to see the Australian evangelist and motivational speaker, Nick Vujicic, on the Madrid stop of his worldwide anti-bullying tour. Born without arms and legs, the 40 year old shared his own story of being bullied as a child and how he was able to overcome the trials with his faith in Jesus Christ. Nick presented very compelling evidence to teenagers that "You can overcome any form of bullying with God!"

Here are Eunice’s words of gratitude to the DBF Community whose donations made this trip possible:

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"This was an incredible day with 1,800 teenagers in Madrid. We were in the second row so we delighted in everything going on very close to the stage and were able to enjoy every word and activity. Our students are in shock (positive way) and the program was extremely well prepared for their ages: rap, hip hop, graffiti and Nick's speech. 

I want to thank you for your support and prayers. We are really joyful and satisfied with the results.

Everything is for the glory of God. 

Let the planted seed grow in good ground.

Bendiciones, Os quiero."

Dallas Baptist University Highlights Men’s Basketball Team’s Recent Visit to Dénia

Photo from DBU Report Fall 2022

Dallas Baptist University highlighted it’s men’s basketball team’s recent visit to Denia to serve at Colegio Alfa & Omega in the Fall Edition of DBU Report. From the article, “ In 1 Peter 4:10, Paul calls believers to use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace. Over the Fall Break, the DBU Basketball team traveled to Dénia, Spain, to serve with long-time ministry partner Colegio Alfa y Omega. These student-athletes led out in various activities, including teaching Bible lessons, hosting a basketball clinic, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the children in Dénia.” This is an inspiring story and a great example of how DBU students are learning and serving around the world for the glory of God. To read the rest of the article, please go to page 18 after clicking here.

Colegio Alfa & Omega holds "My Self Care", it's First Women's Retreat

Colegio Alfa & Omega held its first “My Self Care” retreat on campus during a weekend in October. It was a retreat for all moms and female teachers at the school. The mission of the two-day retreat was to help the women of the Alfa community find emotional, nutritional, social and spiritual equilibrium in their lives. Eunice reports that it was a  precious time spent with over seventy women to learn, enjoy and receive much needed TLC.

Leading workshops were former students, professional moms and Alfa & Omega’s founder, Jorge Pastor.

During the weekend, the Lord opened doors, healed hearts, touched lives and the result was that each participant wants to do it again next year.

We ask for prayer that God would germinate the seeds that were planted this weekend.