Pastor Tim Smith preaching during a missions trip to the Canary Islands in October 2012.

Pastor Tim Smith of First Assembly of God in Seadrift returned from a Missions Trip to El Fraile, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain on October 9th. Pastor Smith was in the Canary Islands for nine days. It was his second trip to the Islands in two years. He spoke eight times to four different congregations.

He was invited by Missionaries Mark and Kelly Baumgartner to speak at Calvary Assembly International Church for their 8th anniversary revival services. He also spoke at El Farro Assemblia de Dios, Calvary Deutsch Assembly of God, Iglesia Christiana de Canarias and to students at the Bible Institute of the Canary Islands.

Pastor Smith said that seven persons received Christ as Savior, over twenty rededicated their lives to Christ, four were filled with the Holy Spirit and over thirty were refilled with the Holy Spirit. Smith said the services were lively with a lot of singing and praise and worship. Pastor Smith was assisted by interpreters in each of the four churches. Seven services were interpreted into Spanish and one was interpreted into German. Mark and Kelly Baumgartner are the founders and Lead Instructors at the Bible Institute of the Canary Islands. The Institute is the only Evangelical Bible School in the City of El Fraile.

The Canary Islands have a population of 1.3 million people with ½ of 1% being Christian believers. The Bible Institute graduates about twenty students a year. Each student completes classes that are required for a person to receive minister credentials with the National Assemblies of God of the Canary Islands.

The Baumgartner’s have helped start two churches with graduates of the Bible Institute as the pastors of the new works. The latest church is a congregation of German speaking believers.
Pastor Smith said the people of the Canary Islands are very hospitable and friendly people. “They are hungry for God and are very enthusiastic to attend church and to learn of God. It was a great honor for me to travel to the Islands and preach at the four churches and to speak to the Bible School students,” Smith said.

First Assembly of God in Seadrift helped him to go on the trip. “I could not have gone without their help,” Pastor Smith said. “The Seadrift Church understands the Great Commission. We are all called to reach the lost. It is not an option, but an urgent necessity,” Smith explained. Pastor Smith is planning more trips. He is making contact with missionaries about opportunities to preach in other countries of the world. Smith said, “Everyone deserves to hear the gospel, everyone deserves to hear about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.”