24-7 Ibiza: Living on a Prayer By Pete Greig

Published: March 11th, 2008

EXCITING NEWS: We just got keys to a fantastic new venue in the epi-center of San Antonio, Ibiza, right in the pumping, pounding, breaking heart of all the action - amongst all the pubs and clubs and craziness (where Jesus has always liked hanging out!) I can’t tell you how excited I am about this…

My good friends Brian and Tracy Heasley, who lead the permanent 24-7 community on the island, are taking this massive step of faith for one very simple reason: they are longing to create some physical, visible, accessible space for Jesus Christ to do His stuff in ‘Sodom and Gomorrah’ (that’s what one leading Newspaper called San Antonio!) It’s simple: Brian and Tracy love God because he saved their lives, and they love the people of Ibiza. That’s why they gave up everything to move with their kids to the famous Mediterranean party-island three years ago, and that’s why they’re now taking this latest bold step. Why am I telling you this? I’m telling you this because they need your help…

It’s been quite a journey that’s brought us here…

‘Dreams Really Do Come True with Jesus!’ Those seven words, texted to my friend Mal back in England, summed up how I felt the first time I touched down on Ibiza in the year 2001. It was a dream come true to see teams of 24-7 missionaries praying passionately and reaching out compassionately amongst the beautiful mess that is San Antonia. If you’ve read my book ‘Red Moon Rising’ you may know how I’d been praying that God would open a door for us there. And you’ll know the mind-blowing miracles that happened next, too. Just being in San Antonio as Christians got us noticed, unexpectedly, by everyone from Rolling Stone magazine to Channel 4 who made a television documentary about the 24-7 mission.

Well, since then we’ve been sending teams every year without fail. When it became clear that the island needed a permanent 24-7 presence, God called the Heasley family to move there through one of the most incredible and miraculous sets of circumstances I’ve ever encountered. God was not whispering - He was yelling to Brian and Tracy in techni-colour: “Oi! I want you there!”

God’s Ambulance

Under their leadership, things are going from strength to strength on the island. This summer no fewer that seven teams will be praying and ‘living’ the gospel there. The community now has a multipurpose vehicle (with the 24-7 logos on it) which they drive around the West End like God’s ambulance, rescuing people who are paralytic on drink and drugs, taking them to hospital or safely home to their hotels away from the risk of violence and rape. It really is a dream come true to see how these guys are living out the gospel of Jesus. Brian and Tracy, however, are dreaming of even more; they are convinced that the most exciting chapters of our mission to Ibiza are still to be written…

“These new premises really are going to take things to the next level,” Brian tells me, with contagious passion before admitting that they are trusting God to provide £7000 ($14000) in the next eight weeks, to pay for the lease on the building. “We know that God is in this, so we know that he will provide for our needs,” says Brian, before admitting, “But sometimes we do get a bit nervous!”

Help!

You’ve probably noticed that 24-7 doesn’t often share its financial needs. Our fundraising strategy is primarily to pray! But every now and then something comes along that we sense should go public. This specific, urgent need in Ibiza is one of these exceptions to the rule. As I travel around the world I meet so many people who have been inspired by our mission to Ibiza. Some join us there as short or long-term missionaries. Most can’t. But everyone can help with this latest opportunity. Can you help? Is God asking you to contribute to the miracle of provision the Heasley’s are praying for?
Anything you can give would be an enormous encouragement to Brian and Tracy. They really are giving everything they can to this vision. Please stand with them by giving what you can to fuel the dream for Ibiza.

You can give by contacting Brian and Tracy directly or go to Brian’s blog and click the donate button.

Pete Greig is a founding champion of the 24-7 movement and Director of Prayer for Holy Trinity Brompton, in London. He and his family live in Guildford, England, where they are actively engaged with establishing a new missional (‘Boiler Room’) community. Pete’s books include 'Red Moon Rising', 'The Vision and The Vow' and 'God on Mute'.

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