Prior to the Portuguese discovery and colonization of Cabo Verde in the 15th century, the 10-island archipelago was uninhabited. Because of location, they became a trading center and important stop for loading coal and resupply for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Cabo Verde is a fusion of European and African cultures and traditions, reflected in its Crioulo language, music, and distinctive pano textiles. The Church of the Nazarene established work in Cabo Verde in 1901, making it one of the earliest Nazarene missions fields. It was not until 1975 that independence was gained from Portugal, and a one-party system was established. In 1990, multi-party elections were held; since then, Cabo Verde is noted for sustaining one of Africa’s most stable democratic governments and economies. Traditional roles are shifting in society, and missions is taking on fresh expressions, which bring both challenges and new opportunities. Dr. Eugenio Duarte, the 37th general superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene, is from Cabo Verde.
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| 59 Fully Organized Churches; 6 Not Yet Organized Churches
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| 21 District Licensed and 58 Ordained Ministers on 2 Districts
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Pray for families in Cabo Verde as they seek wisdom and unity in navigating the balance between traditional roles and modern societal changes.
- Pray for Cabo Verdean missionaries who are serving around the world through the Church of the Nazarene.
- Pray for those leading ministries in our churches, that they may be empowered and inspired to continue reaching new generations with the message of love and service in Christ.
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Praise God for Cape Verdean women, who have embraced their role as spiritual leaders within their families and communities, ensuring the legacy of faith continues through generations.
- Thank God for the impactful work of Nazarene Missions International, who have faithfully led ministries and Sunday schools, nurturing a spirit of missions in their local churches.
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The First Home Missionaries
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One of the earliest mission fields in the Church of the Nazarene, Cabo Verde is also one of the first mission fields on the Africa Region, where both men and women have district leadership roles, and now one of the district superintendents is a woman. In Cabo Verde, women have historically been seen as educators and housekeepers. Cape Verdean women, particularly Nazarenes, have significantly influenced their children and Sunday school students, fostering the legacy of Nazarene Missions International (NMI) from their homes. NMI is the global missions advocate in every local church, nurturing a spirit of missions, and mobilizing into action, impacting people around the world.
While men worked outside the home, women taught their children the Word of God, sharing Bible stories and ensuring regular Sunday school attendance. Today, most Sunday school teachers and NMI leaders in local churches are still women. These mothers became authentic missionaries, praying with their children and guiding them in faith, especially when fathers were away at work. Committed to the mission of God, the home has been seen in Cabo Verde to serve as the foundational missions field where values and faith are instilled in the next generation.
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Every day, as children left for school, mothers imparted vital lessons: "Be kind," "Avoid conflict," "Pray for your classmates," and "Remember Jesus' teachings." They sent their children out into the world as young missionaries in their schools, equipped with values of respect, love, and forgiveness.
In recent years, social changes have led women to achieve significant milestones in personal and public life, often pushing them beyond traditional roles. While these advancements have empowered women, they have also shifted the dynamics of home life and missions work, balancing new opportunities with the foundational mission of nurturing faith at home.
It is notable that the small island nation of Cabo Verde has had a profound influence upon the Church of the Nazarene globally because of its strong commitment to missions, receiving and sending missionaries, both within the Africa Region and around the world.
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Is God calling you to serve on the Africa Region? For more information, click here.
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NMI Central is available in a curated PDF archive.
To read previous editions, click here.
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