Eugene and Elizabeth Ciria
Spain

Significant Dates:

· Appointed to ministry in Colombia, 1982.

· Reassigned to ministry in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 1985.

· Returned to La Garriga, Spain in 2001.

Biographical Information:

Eugene once dreamed of a day when, as a priest, he would walk up to the altar and perform the mass. Born and raised in a strong Roman Catholic home in Barcelona, Spain, it was expected that at least one son would enter the priesthood. However, before that could happen, Eugene's parents came to know the Lord, and he began to seriously examine what he had always believed to be true. This revelation led to his conversion.

Elizabeth was born in Toronto. As a young person she was heavily involved in church activities, but never actually made a commitment to the Lord. She began to recognize that she was lost and needed a Saviour. Her mother became a believer, and Liz could see the difference that decision made in her life. In her search for the truth, Liz attended a Billy Graham meeting and there found Christ.

Later, the Cirias, feeling led to overseas mission work, applied to International Ministries and were accepted for career service to Colombia. However, the Lord closed that door and opened up a pioneer ministry on the island of Mallorca, Spain. The Cirias worked initially in Palma where the church grew from 0 to a group of 30 to 40.

Eugene and Liz also had opportunity to minister among the hard to reach Gypsy community. Eugene did visitation, home cell groups for Bible study, leadership training, held weekly Sunday services, hospital visitation, weekly prayer meeting and counseling. In late 2001, the Cirias turned the ministry over to Vincente, a national Gypsy leader, and moved to the mainland where they teamed with others to begin the ministry in La Garriga. Eugene continued to be in contact with the Gypsy congregation, encouraging them and offering assistance where and when needed.

In 2009, Eugene and Liz retired from the mission, but continue to minister to the La Garriga congregation via the internet and are making plans to become “Finishers” with a view to a return to their beloved Spain in that role.