enditnow® Program in Various Churches in Spain

On Sabbath, November 22, 2025, churches in Spain, including Tudela, Almería, and Madrid Aluche, participated in the Women's Ministries enditnow campaign. This is a global initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that seeks to raise awareness and eradicate violence by promoting equality, dignity, and the protection of rights. The activities offered guidance, spiritual support, and tools for resilience in situations of abuse.
“Biblical Equality” in Madrid-Aluche
In Madrid-Aluche, theologian Margarita Llabrés, responding to an invitation from the local church and the Women's Ministries, presented two sessions focused on equality and the protection of women.
On the Sabbath morning , November 22, Margarita presented the topic “Biblical Equality,” providing an introduction to the position and condition of women in the context and historical moment of the biblical narrative. She also highlighted how God, in the Old Testament, used women in an efficient and timely manner for the blessing of His people, Israel.
enditnow® Workshop: “I am a Victim, now what?”
In the afternoon, at 5:00 p.m., the workshop “I am a victim, now what?” was held, in which Margarita Llabrés and counselor Maite Lavado participated. Both shared information on how to identify abusive and violent situations, how to report them, and how to remove oneself from dangerous environments. They also provided information on emergency shelters and shared statistics on domestic violence.
The activity highlighted the seriousness of violence in society. It reminded participants that this evil undermines the divine plan and the foundations of love and companionship established by God since the creation of man and woman.
Homes built on Christ
The need to build a home with Christ at the center was emphasized. Likewise, it was recalled that violence is not part of God's plan, and advice was offered to married couples and partners based on biblical teachings and the writings of Ellen G. White.
Reflection and Resilience in Almería
In Almería, the Women's Ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church also echoed this issue. It emphasized that gender violence does not distinguish between race, religion, or social class and that it often ends the lives of innocent women.
Ana Martínez Portillo, director of the Ministry, emphasized that although the church cannot remain silent in the face of this injustice. She recalled that God is love and wants to protect all his sons and daughters. She underscored the dignity of human beings and the equality created by God between men and women. She also spoke about how resilience—understood as the ability to reinvent oneself and move forward with God's help—is a way to overcome suffering and the scars of the past. Among the inspiring verses mentioned are: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
The church, a reflection of divine love
It was recalled that the Bible contains numerous examples of people who went through difficulties but were strengthened by God. That same God continues to act today. The church, Martínez Portillo affirmed, must be a reflection of that divine love and a support for those who suffer. It must promote homes where respect, harmony, and peace reign, which only Christ Jesus can provide.
Talk on violence against women in Tudela
On Friday, November 21, Maya Mercier gave a talk at the Adventist church in Tudela on violence against women, a topic she described as “sad” and “highly topical.” The church reaffirmed its commitment to stopping these attacks and raising social awareness so that more people will join this cause.
The enditnow® initiative was presented as a way to raise our voices and reject any type of aggression, not only against women, but also against vulnerable people. Maya explained that trauma, even if it originated in a past event, continues to have a serious impact in the present, altering feelings, thoughts, and sleep, and causing guilt and emotional blockages.
Regarding how to help victims, it was emphasized that there is no single answer, but there are useful steps: entrusting oneself to God, asking for strength to overcome the experience, and seeking professional help. It was also emphasized that “there is a solution for trauma” and that hope and faith can accompany the healing process. Biblical stories of women who overcame trauma through divine intervention were shared, as well as personal experiences from the congregation.
Sabbath: Resilience within the enditnow® program
The following day, the topic of resilience was addressed, defined as a practicable lifestyle rather than a personality trait. It was emphasized that all people can develop resilience and “bloom again like a sunflower” after painful experiences. The church insisted on the importance of accompanying others in their grief, especially those who have had similar experiences. The testimony of a sister who was a victim of violence was heard, who insisted that “silence is worse and can be deadly.” She explained that overcoming her trauma was possible by feeling that God was in control, and thanks to the support of the church, which she did not receive from her family. Reflection was also given to the biblical story of Naomi, who sought answers in God and taught the importance of turning to Him to express anguish. According to the talk, it is then that God acts and transforms difficulties into stories of overcoming.
Sabbath: Lunch with Maya Mercier and the Women's Ministries
The Women's Ministry of Tudela, led by Cleide and her team, organized a special lunch with Maya Mercier. In addition to enjoying the menu, experiences of overcoming adversity were shared, along with testimonies of how, with God's help, women were able to face significant obstacles. The activity concluded by highlighting that, although each person is different, painful experiences are often similar, and that sharing testimonies of overcoming in Jesus inspires us to continue trusting in Him. It was affirmed that, with God's help, it is possible to overcome any obstacle, something that cannot be achieved by human strength alone.
The Women's Ministry initiatives, through the enditnow® project, seek to educate, guide, and offer hope to women and families. It reminds us that equality, protection from violence, and spiritual strength are essential to building safe, happy, and devoted homes and communities.
According to reports by: Carolina Rincón Pachano, Ana Martínez, and Daniela Amaya Cando. Carolina is the correspondent for revista.adventista.es at the Madrid-Aluche church; Ana is the director of the Women's Ministry at the Almería church, and Daniela belongs to the Tudela church.
https://revista.adventista.es/programa-enditnow-en-diversas-iglesias-de-espana/