Category Archives: Juan Monroy

Conferences in Madrid

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As part of my work with Hope For Life (Herald of Truth), I was privileged to travel with Steve Ridgell to Madrid, Spain, last week. Juan Antonio Monroy, our representative in Spain, organized the trip and made the arrangements for me to give a 3-day seminar on the book of Revelation. The first two evenings were at a hotel in downtown Madrid. The final lesson was given Sunday morning at the Teruel St. Church of Christ in Madrid.

In addition, we spent Thursday afternoon doing some radio interviews. The first was for a website, ProtestanteDigital.com; the interview went out on several radio stations, in addition to the website. The second interview was for Dynamis Radio, an evangelical station in Madrid.

The sessions on Friday and Saturday evening were well attended, with between 175 and 200 people coming each night. Several congregations in Madrid had worked hard to invite their members and friends. They had also passed out invitations on the street.

The church service was packed on Sunday, with an overflow crowd. That’s not unusual for that congregation; they are trying to find ways to move to a place with more space.

I was reminded that traveling east-west is much more taxing than traveling north-south. The crossing of multiple time zones really confuses our bodies. I’m amazed again at the stamina of Juan Antonio Monroy, who makes several trips like that each year, even now when he’s in his 80s.

Great trip, but as always, I’m glad to be home.

Juan Antonio Monroy: An Autobiography

Several months ago, I wrote a bit about Juan Antonio Monroy. I mentioned at that time that his autobiography hadn’t officially been released. There still hasn’t been much fanfare, but it is out publicly. You can order it from the Herald of Truth website or pick it up anywhere ACU Press books are sold.

Having traveled with Juan, I hear his voice as I read the book. It’s quintessential Juan: amazing stories, almost unbelievable ones, as well as a story or two that will offend some sensitivities. Juan even says a time or two: “Christians in America won’t understand this.” He’s not writing a story to convince anyone of anything. It’s not a researched history book. These are Juan’s memoirs.

I’d never heard a lot of these stories: the time Juan spent in prison because of his faith, his address to the first meeting of Amnesty International, his expulsion from Morocco, the details of his meeting with the king of Spain. I can’t imagine anyone not being fascinated by the stories Juan has to tell.

Juan is a strong-willed man and comes across as arrogant to some. I know, however, that a man of lesser will wouldn’t have been able to do much that Juan has done.

In addition to the text, there are some great photos in the book as well. (Too bad we didn’t get any pictures of the translator… she’s quite good looking!)

Juan Antonio Monroy

Let’s hold off on the website advice until next week… everybody’s got their mind on holiday stuff right now. I thought I’d mention that Juan Monroy was here in town this week. It’s always good to see him.

Juan has two autobiographical works that have recently been written. The Nelson group has published Juan’s memoirs of what it was like to live under General Franco’s rule, a book called Un protestante en la Espana de Franco (A Protestant in Franco’s Spain). He was a bit apologetic about the title, saying that using any other term but Protestant would have made no sense in Spain.

The other book has yet to be officially released. It’s more of a general autobiography that Juan wrote in Spanish and my wife Carolina translated into English. I’m not sure of the release date, but ACU Press will bring it out with appropriate fanfare, I’m sure. I’ve had the advantage of getting to read it in the original Spanish and in English. It’s an interesting book.

Juan is the kind of man who doesn’t go for politically correct. He doesn’t say what will please people; he says what he believes. Those who love him, love him. Those who choose to criticize will always find something to criticize.

I’ve worked with Juan a lot over the last five years. (Juan has worked for Herald of Truth for 47 years) He has a strong character, which really bothers some people. I look at the things he’s done in his life, and I realize that many of those things wouldn’t have come about had it not been for the drive of his personality, for his self-confidence and for his willingness to speak his mind. I can overlook a few flaws.

Many people know Jesus today that might not have had it not been for Juan’s work. His legacy will stand the test of time. I’m proud to know him as a friend and a colleague.