About us
Who we are
Sierra North International Church organized officially as a church on February 1, 2026. What started as an English home bible study of the Iglesia Bíblica de Colmenar (now Iglesia Bíblica Sierra Norte), with two families in attendance, grew and became the first international church of the Sierra North of Madrid.
SNIC is a diverse group made up of expats that have moved to the north of the province of Madrid for work, and teachers/workers of Life International School in Tres Cantos. We desire to reach English speakers from different backgrounds and nationalities. No matter where you come from, we want you to feel welcome and loved.
We’re located in Colmenar Viejo, just 30 kilometres from the city of Madrid. Colmenar is known as the gateway of the Sierra North of Madrid (Sierra de Guadarrama), connecting the capital and the mountainous terrain to the north via the M-607 highway and Cercanías train services (line C4b).
Colmenar is the third largest city in extension of the Community of Madrid and is bordered by Soto del Real, Manzanares el Real, Miraflores de la Sierra and Guadalix de la Sierra to the north, Tres Cantos, San Sebastián de los Reyes and Madrid (Fuencarral-El Pardo) to the south, Pedrezuela, San Agustín de Guadalix and Algete to the east, and Hoyo de Manzanares and Moralzarzal to the West
What we believe
We believe...
that Scripture is our supreme, final, and absolute authority as believers.
With the Church throughout history, we confess the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed, and the Chalcedonian Definition, which are true summaries of the central message of the Bible.
As a local church we have adopted the 1853 New Hampshire Baptist Confession. The New Hampshire Confession doesn’t spell out everything that we ought to believe as Christians, but it gives us a faithful summary of what the Bible teaches about Scripture, God, the Gospel, the Church, Government, and Last Things.
I. Of The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
II. Of The True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
III. Of The Fall Of Man
We believe that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
IV. Of The Way Of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.
V. Of Justification
We believe that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
VI. Of The Freeness Of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
VII. Of Grace In Regeneration
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.
VIII. Of Repentance And Faith
We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all sufficient Savior.
IX. Of God’s Purpose Of Grace
We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
X. Of Sanctification
We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, – especially, the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer.
XI. Of The Perseverance Of Saints
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
XII. Of The Harmony Of The Law And The Gospel
We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from their love of sin: to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.
XIII. Of A Gospel Church
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
XIV. Of Baptism And The Lord’s Supper
We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is pre-requisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
XV. Of The Christian Sabbath
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.
XVI. Of Civil Government
We believe that Civil Government is of Divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
XVII. Of The Righteous And The Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.
XVIII. Of The World To Come
We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.
Mission and Values
Sierra North International Church exists to glorify God by bringing the good news of Jesus to the Sierra North of Madrid, and helping those that believe, to become mature disciples of Christ, committed to taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news…” Isaiah 52:7a
01.
Worship
What distinguishes us from the world and what indicates that we’ve been born again and that we’re citizens of Christ’s kingdom is worship. When the world sees the church, more than anything they should see a church that worships God.
02.
Mission
Our main responsibility is to obey the Great Commission which is found in its fullest expression in Matthew 28:18-20. The mission is to make disciples of all nations, by going, baptizing, and teaching. It’s the reason we’re here as a church.
03.
Love
The result of carrying out our mission (making disciples) will be disciples that obey everything that Jesus commanded. And the supreme evidence that we’re obeying Christ is that we love one another.
Distinctives
Our theological distinctives reveal what distinguishes us from other churches who would affirm the fundamental doctrines laid out in our Confession. These distinctives, we believe, are clearly taught in Scripture and we will uphold them and teach them as we endeavour by the grace of God to advance in our mission. While we wholeheartedly hold to these distinctives, our primary identity is not found in these, but in Christ, and the unity we find in the gospel.
Converted Church Membership
The church is made up only of those that have been born again by the Spirit of God. This excludes nominal Christians and babies/infants that haven’t had the opportunity to believe the gospel and give evidence of genuine conversion.
Credo Baptism
Only those who have truly believed the gospel are baptized. In other words, baptism follows conversion, and we believe that the baptism mode that best symbolises baptism is immersion.
Congregationalism
The local church (i.e., its assembled members) is not subject to outside governance; it is autonomous (or self-governed), being led by its pastors. In congregationalism the membership as a whole has the responsibility to make certain decisiones, such as: (1. Affirming as members those that profess faith in Christ. (2. Disciplining those members in sinful disobedience to God’s Word. (3. Recognising and ordaining pastors and deacons. (4. Preserving the doctrinal purity of the church.
Complementarianism
Men and women are absolutely equal in essence, dignity and value, but are distinct by divine design. As part of God’s good created order, men and women are to have different yet complementary roles and responsibilities in the home and church. As it relates to the home, God has called husbands to lovingly lead their homes, and wives to come along side their husbands and joyfully submit to their leadership. As it relates to the church, men and women are both expected to serve; however, the office of elder is reserved for qualified men.
Leadership
David Velasquez
David Velasquez is one of the founding pastors of SNIC. He was born in Madrid, Spain, and has had the opportunity to live in several countries including Venezuela, the United States, and Peru.
David is married to Faviana and they have four children. The Velasquez family have served as missionaries in Spain since 2010. They have helped start three churches in Madrid (Iglesia Bautista de Parla, Iglesia Bíblica Sierra Norte, and SNIC).
David is passionate about expository preaching and is devoted to making disciples of Christ.
Scot Musser
Scot Musser is a co-founder and Elder of SNIC. He and his wife, Carol, have four adult children and twelve grandchildren.
The Mussers have served as missionaries in Spain since 1998, with a primary ministry focus in Christian education. In 2017, they founded Life International School in the city of Tres Cantos.
Scot has a deep love for God, His Word, the local church, and people—especially children.
Trent Goodwin
Trent Goodwin is a co-founder, charter member, and treasurer of SNIC. He and his wife, Victoria, along with their four children, are originally from Frisco, Texas, in the United States.
In 2021, Trent and Victoria felt called to serve the Lord overseas and moved to Italy. In 2022, God opened a professional opportunity in Spain, leading their family to relocate to the Madrid area, where Trent works as a Petroleum Engineer.
Trent and his family are deeply committed to Christ’s mission and seek to live out the Great Commission in their daily lives and ministry.
Mike Crase
Mike Crase is one of the founding members of SNIC. Mike grew up in California, but has served in full time ministry in China, Idaho, and now Spain.
Mike is married to Emily and they have five children. The Crase family have served as missionaries in Spain since 2024. Their primary ministry is to help start and grow Christian ministries, in order to reach the nations for the Gospel.
Mike has a passion for seeing transformational education used to reach children and families for Jesus Christ.
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Contact
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633719206
info@sierranorthchurch.com
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news…”
Isaiah 52:7a