Tag Archives: Juan Monroy

California trip

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(Photo by Erik Tryggestad, Christian Chronicle)

Oh, that’s right. I have a blog. Sorry, but sometimes life gets in the way of blogging. I used to have a “post or die” mentality, making sure that I had something out five times a week. Now I accept the fact that the world somehow goes on turning, even when I can’t put anything up here.

I was at the Pepperdine Lectures last week, representing Herald of Truth. Before that, I got to speak at the Long Beach Church of Christ; it had been ten years since I’d visited that wonderful congregation. 30 years ago (wow!), I spent two summers out there. I also went on two Spring Break campaigns there, and they helped support us while we were in Argentina.

I visited the Inland Valley Church of Christ in Ontario, California, on that Sunday evening. My friend Carlos Gonzales is the worship leader there. They have a strong bilingual church, with Tom Allen, a Bolivian native, as their preacher.

Before going to the lectures, I had joked that I was going there as Juan Monroy’s handler. Turned out to be more true than I realized. Juan spoke twice, had a book signing and received an award from the university. I spent most of my time with him, driving him back and forth from the campus and making sure that he had what he needed. Ammiel Perez from Cuba was also there and needed similar attention. I’ve had brothers serve me in the same way when I’ve traveled to other countries, so it was a pleasure to get to minister to these men.

Saw a few people, but mainly in passing. To all those I missed, or barely spoke to, I offer an apology. I would have loved to have had more time to visit, but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way.

I’m grateful for workshops and conferences that allow us to gather and be fed. After hearing one of the main lectures, Juan said to me: “This has been so good for me. I’m all the time teaching others… once in a while, I need to be fed as well.” Amen to that.

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.