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Every year, more than 250,000 people from around the world hike El Camino de Santiago in Spain, culminating at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The route is considered one of the most open areas in Europe to share the gospel, as most pilgrims are open to listen, discuss and reflect while on the Camino.
For many years, OM in Spain has offered an opportunity for believers to walk the Camino alongside pilgrims during a summer outreach.
Enfys (UK) participated in the outreach in the summer of 2024 as a challenge to herself to step out of her comfort zone.
“Many years ago, in my youth, I had said that once I retired, I would like to walk the Camino for myself,” she said. “Skip forward a few decades and I was presented with the opportunity to walk as part of a group, but God was also whispering: 'you can go, I will go with you, and I’ll provide company for you, but you’re going to have to willingly share Me with others.'
“So, in quite a measure of fear and trembling, ironic challenge accepted, I set off with a small group of fellow Jesus followers. From day one, we set out prayerfully and intentionally, walking two-by-two alongside other pilgrims.
“What a wonderful thing to realise that despite our weakness, God has the ability to knit us together and make us one and strong together for His work. Metaphorically speaking, with each kilometre walked, our personal baggage lightened and we witnessed each other being used uniquely in ways we couldn’t have imagined.”
The team walked 20 to 25 kilometres each day, starting at around 06:30. They walked alongside pilgrims, eating with them and staying at albergues (hostels) with them, all the while sharing about their faith.
“Many were reached with the gospel,” Enfys said. “We were enabled to share the good news of Jesus over coffee, meals along the Camino and by trekking along the way — even in our downtime — with God using our individual, as well as collective, strengths to support each other, for His glory.
"Walking the Camino to witness presents a captive audience, with the majority of pilgrims choosing to walk to make sense of their life, help heal from a personal tragedy or bereavement, to seek spiritual meaning, clarity and guidance, and more, so they are fully open to communication, company and conversation.”
Jason (USA), part of the OM team in Spain, has spent a lot of time talking with pilgrims on the Camino. He said one thing that makes the Camino unique in Spain is that English is the most common language among the people walking.
He said this adds to the ease of starting conversations. “It's so easy to get into a spiritual conversation,” he said. “You just ask: ‘Why are you doing the Camino?’ It's not a weird question.
“Or another easy question is: ‘Are you religious?’ because they're doing a medieval religious pilgrimage. Oftentimes, they'll have this very deep personal reason for walking, and then you can get into some good, deep conversations right away.
“I like to tell them: ‘God has shown a way and just like you have been religiously following these yellow arrows, if you don't follow that yellow arrow, you're not gonna end up where you want to end up. We feel like God is the same way. You know He's set forth a path.
“You’re following the Way of St James and St James followed Jesus, who said: ‘Soy el Camino' — 'I am the Way.'"
For her part, Enfys found the outreach to be “a beautiful thing to experience. I feel sure the team will never forget those personal interactions in witnessing and sharing God’s love for all mankind.
“In reaching others for Him, it enabled the group participants to build friendships, faith, trust, communication, experience, prayer and evangelistic tools.
“As followers of Christ, we are all pilgrims on our journey through life, rough terrain as well as smooth; dry and arid patches, along with the luscious, pleasant ones and everything in between. If God wants that none should perish, then that should be our heart too.
“Walking the Camino presents the ideal opportunity to put your faith into action and share His good news with those who haven’t yet heard. God really does have a sense of humour in marrying the walk and His Word together, and well done to OM for providing this distinctive opportunity.
“Is the Camino outreach a challenge? For sure! Is it rewarding? Absolutely! Will it impact? Indeed, it will. You’ll find yourself travelling alongside people of all ages and walks of life and from many countries around the globe, all with their own stories to share, all surrounded by the stunning beauty of Galicia.
“The Camino is calling. Will you go? I hope so. We are all called and God uses the willing. It’s a delight and a privilege. Buen Camino!”
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