Bible Studies for Bouncers: 24-7 IbizaPete Greig - 31 Aug 2009

‘These last few months have been phenomenal,’ says Brian Heasley from Ibiza. On this Mediterranean party island, well known for its hedonistic excess, the 24-7 team have prevented a robbery, rescued many, prayed like crazy and one team member even got puke on her face. But amidst so many challenges, the Bible is powerfully impacting lives. Visitors to the 24-7Ibiza Center in the West End all receive a welcome pack, which includes The Message version of the New Testament, as well as some other treats.  ‘These have been very well received,’ reports Brian. ‘In fact, some workers called in recently just to ask for Bibles.  One of our bouncer friends keeps his Message bible tucked behind the door of the establishment where he works so that he can read it when he has a quiet moment at work. We even spotted him and his colleague reading the Bible outside the club one night, having an in-depth discussion about what it meant.’

Such unusual bible-studies are springing up in various locations around San Antonio; a place once described by the British Daily Mail newspaper as ‘Sodom & Gomorrah’. For instance Brian reports that ‘We continue to have West African ladies who work here as prostitutes call into the centre and have been privileged and humbled to pray with many of these girls.  Their prayers are usually for family members and a way to leave their work.  Almost all of them have asked for a full version of the Bible.  Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have been able to provide these.’

Our night time street work continues to throw up interesting conversations and fantastic opportunities to pray with people. We often find that people are really open with us; some cry or are close to tears as we pray for them. We love these times of bringing God into peoples’ lives.  

We also pick up a great deal of drunk or drugged people to take home, which can be very messy; one team member even had a girl throw up in her face!  These situations can lead us to despair at times - a generation drinking to extremes, trying new drugs to escape or enjoy life.  It makes us sad.  But we are not here to judge; rather to bring help, love and care to those who need it regardless of how they got there.

Amidst this, we have some really bright moments with holiday makers.  We met some guys we had chatted with and given bibles to a few nights previously; one said “I’ve ripped out my favourite page and kept it in my pocket all holiday!”   We love that people engage with the bible.  Another holiday maker told us that he had read the book of Matthew before he went to bed and had concluded that Jesus was trying to communicate to people that they needed to trust him.  Amazing!

In all of this we pray; each night that we are out on the streets, 4-5 hours of prayer takes place simultaneously in the prayer room, calling out to God for this place.  We are convinced all these wonderful occurrences take place because:

‘God’s Word really is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword.’ (Hebrews 4:12)

Is God calling you to support the 24-7Ibiza team? Find out how you can get involved here