Enoc’s Dream, Part 1: Adult Mission Story for July 25, 2026

In Spain, physical therapist Enoc felt an unexpected call to pastoral ministry. Through prayer, repeated confirmations, and God’s providence—from his wife’s conviction to his business partner’s surprising question—his family left Barcelona so he could study theology at Sagunto Adventist College.

Enoc felt like he was living a dream life in Spain. He co-owned a physical therapy practice with a business partner in Barcelona and had enjoyed his career for more than 20 years. His wife, Ingrid, worked as a physical therapist at a Seventh-day Adventist nursing home. They had two sons and a comfortable life.

So, Enoc couldn’t understand why he kept feeling impressed to become an Adventist pastor. He didn’t want God to think he was ungrateful for the successful career he’d been blessed with. He didn’t want to say, “Thank You for everything You’ve given me, but now I want to become a pastor.” So, he didn’t pray to God about the desire, and he didn’t even tell Ingrid.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic came, and he and his business partner had to shut down their clinic for about three weeks. When they reopened, Enoc’s desire to become a pastor had grown stronger. He felt like he wasn’t doing enough for God. He spoke about Jesus with some clients and prayed with them, but not all were open to hearing about God. Enoc longed to talk about Jesus all the time. Being a physical therapist didn’t feel like enough.

The best moments of Enoc’s day were with God. He loved morning devotions and personal Bible study. He noticed that whatever he read in the morning often turned out to be exactly what one of his clients needed to hear that day. Some even began asking him to pray for them.

Still, Enoc didn’t pray about becoming a pastor. He thought, I need to do God’s will, and it was His will that led me into physical therapy in the first place. 

But every night, when he came home, he found himself telling Ingrid only about the spiritual conversations and prayers he shared with clients.

Finally, Ingrid said, “I must tell you something. God has put it on my heart that you need to go to Sagunto to study theology and become a pastor.”

Sagunto Adventist College is where pastors are trained in Spain.

When Enoc heard his wife speak the thoughts he had been keeping inside, the idea sounded even more impossible. He had a business. He and his wife loved Barcelona. Their sons attended an Adventist school there. He told her, “If it’s God’s will—and not just my desire—He’ll let us know.”

But Ingrid wouldn’t let it go. Every week, she reminded him, “God keeps putting it on my heart that we have to go to Sagunto.”

Each time, Enoc responded, “It’s impossible. We need a house, jobs, and a new school for the boys. We shouldn’t waste our time thinking about it.”

One day, Enoc shared his feelings with his brother-in-law, who was a pastor. He hadn’t planned to say anything, the words just came flowing out. His brother-in-law promised to pray, adding, “If it’s God’s will, He will let you know.”

Then, Ingrid’s father passed away, and the family started considering moving to be closer to her mother. Enoc and Ingrid prayed, “Should we stay in Barcelona, move to help Mother, or go to Sagunto?” 

Ingrid sent her resume to several places in her father’s city, but no one responded. Meanwhile, Enoc’s physical therapy practice in Barcelona was flourishing, He and his business partner even arranged to buy an adjacent property to expand.

While they were finalizing the paperwork, the partner suddenly asked, “Why aren’t you a pastor?”

Enoc was shocked. “What are you talking about?” he said.

“I see how you talk about Jesus with your clients,” his partner said. “You clearly love it. So, why aren’t you a pastor?”

Soon after, Enoc and his family were at Sagunto Adventist College—where he was studying theology to become a pastor. It hadn’t been their plan. It had been God’s.

Find out exactly what happened in next week’s mission story.

A previous Thirteenth Sabbath Offering, also known as the Quarterly Mission Project Offering, helped expand the theology department as Sagunto Adventist College, where Enoc currently studies. Another offering helped build the girls’ dormitory, where Ingrid now works. Just as those offerings have made a big difference in the lives of Enoc, Ingrid, and others, your offering this quarter can help shape more lives for eternity. Thank you for your generous support of the mission projects in the Inter-European Division, which includes Spain.