Written by Mandi Morgan, IM Missionary to Spain
The idea hit while I sat across the table from some dear college friends. Our friend told us about the Nerf camps he runs, and Neil immediately began thinking about using Nerf as an outreach tool in Spain. We began peppering our friend with questions to learn all the details.
Over the next several weeks, we prayed about this unique idea as a ministry tool. Using Nerf guns seemed risky. Spain has very strict gun laws and is an overall anti-gun culture. Even so, Neil couldn’t shake the feeling that God was leading him to do this. When our friend heard this, he donated all his gently used equipment to get us started.
An ETEAM was scheduled to arrive that summer, and they brought all the equipment with them. Neil and I dumpster-dived to find cardboard to use as bunkers. Another team visiting, this one from Kirby FWB Church from Michigan, helped us paint the cardboard and do a practice run of all the games.
On the night of our first event, a raging storm hit, and very few people braved it to attend. Nevertheless, it led to deep conversations with several parents going through difficult times, including one who was an atheist. Since then, we have had the opportunity to host Nerf events for various churches and schools, and we have upgraded from cardboard bunkers to inflatable ones.
Then, COVID began, and we weren’t allowed to have Nerf events. Meanwhile, our church had outgrown its current facility and relocated to a nearby town called Villanueva de la Torre. We met the mayor and told her about our Nerf events. She seemed to love the idea; however, she kept delaying giving us a date to use the town’s gymnasium to host one.
A year later and with the help of another politician, we held the first event in our town. Again, the attendance was low, and we were a little discouraged, especially after the year-long delay. But this was no delay; it was God’s sovereign timing. That night, we met a man who has since become a dear friend to our family, one who was searching, one who was uncertain about the very existence of God. After many cups of coffee and countless hours of conversation, our friend now believes there is a God and has started reading the Bible for himself.
We have continued with more Nerf events, and our next one had over 50 people! We have used them to collect non-perishable items for the unfortunate and to collect items for over 30 Operation Christmas Child boxes. Nerf has also built good relationships with the town government, which has asked us to continue these events quarterly.
Though this seemed like a risky venture at the time, following God’s prompting has opened doors to hold Gospel conversations. Following Him is always worth the risk!
