On El Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James) in Northern Spain, you will embark on the journey of a lifetime as you take what you have learned from serving in countless countries over the past few years to a new level. El Camino de Santiago is the pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, where legend has it that the remains of the Apostle James lie. The Camino has existed as a Christian pilgrimage for well over 1,000 years. Throughout the medieval period it was one of the three most important Christian pilgrimages undertaken. Indeed, it was only these pilgrimages—to Jerusalem, to Rome, and to Santiago de Compostela—which could result in a plenary indulgence, which frees a person from the penance due for sins.
The Pilgrimage
On the Camino, you will be part of a traveling village. You’ll see other pilgrims along the way. You’ll get to know their stories and share your own.
You will find that people choose to hike the Camino for a multitude of reasons, but they are all searching for something more.
You may encounter pilgrims who have lost their families in tragic accidents, some who are escaping from the pain of divorce, others looking for freedom from addiction, some who feel they have failed everything in life, and those looking for love.
Ministry
The Camino attracts people from all walks of life. Many are searching for answers, hungry for a spiritual experience. All around, you’ll find people who are hungry for more, looking for answers and purpose.
We believe we have what they are searching for: Jesus.
Come, embark on your own pilgrimage, and give away what you’ve received.
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Seek out what God has for you and those surrounding you each day.
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Meet and develop deep relationships with pilgrims from around the world.
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Intentionally invite pilgrims to share a meal with you to get to know them more and minister to them with the Gospel of Jesus, leading to spiritual fruit.
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Have team time on a regular basis where members will rotate leading a discussion/devotional/debriefing time.
You will take the French Way, beginning in Leon and ending in Santiago de Compostela.
The Route
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Day 1 – Arrive at your Hostel in Leon (July 5)
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Day 2 – Get acclimated, evangelism training, and get to know your team (July 6)
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Day 3 – Leon – Villar de Mazarife – 21.8km
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Day 4 – Villar de Mazarife to Astorga is 29.3km
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Day 5 – Astorga – Rabanal del Camino – 20.2km
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Day 6 – Rabanal del Camino to Ponferrada – 32.7km
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Day 7 – Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo – 23.3km
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Day 8 – Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro – 30.3km
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Day 9 – Rest Day
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Day 10 – O Cebreiro to Triacastela – 20.3km
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Day 11 – Triacastela to Sarria – 25km
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Day 12 – Sarria to Portomarin – 23.1km
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Day 13 – Portomarin to Palas de Rei – 24.7km
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Day 14 – Palas de Rei to Arzua – 28.5km
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Day 15 – Arzua to O Pedrouza 22.1km
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Day 16 – O Pedrouza to Santiago de Compostela – 20.1km (July 20 – they are free to leave from here)
You may leave anytime after arrival in Santiago de Compostela on July 20th. You will be on your own at this time and will need to arrange your own transportation/lodging.
You may wish to stay an additional night in Santiago so that you are able to attend the Pilgrim’s Mass at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela which takes place at noon each day. If you choose to do so, know that this is at your own cost.
**This trip is not for everyone. You’ll be walking a total of 200 miles over the course of 16 days with only 1 day of rest. All participants must be able to walk for extended periods of time with a full pack and should train prior to the trip.*
God is calling you to journey with Him, to share His love with the nations and establish His Kingdom on earth. Will you join Him in Spain?
Pray for Spain
Young people need the gospel, having given themselves over to postmodern materialism and hedonism. They distrust organized religion. Their lifestyle is based on experience. Ministry to them must be highly relational and authentic. The IFES-linked student movement, Federación de Grupos Bíblicos Universitarios de España, has 35 university groups with 400 students – a tiny drop in the bucket of over one million students. Alongside GBU(IFES), AGAPE(CCCI) also works among students in several universities. Contra Corriente, an indigenous Spanish ministry to young people and students, possibly has the greatest impact. A growing number of alternative and underground ministries among young people are proving effective.
(Source: Operation World)
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