7 August 2024

Eurasia Region

Portugal

Portugal is the oldest nation-state in Europe. Its defined borders have not changed since the 12th century. During the 15th and 16th centuries, its maritime power and influence brought great wealth from its colonies. However, with the destruction of Lisbon in a massive earthquake in 1755, followed by occupation during the Napoleonic Wars and the independence of Brazil (its wealthiest colony) in 1822, Portugal struggled to recover. That struggle took the country through years of upheaval and unrest under repressive governments following a revolution that deposed its monarchy in 1910. In 1973, the Church of the Nazarene began its work here. In 1974, a left-wing military coup made way for broad democratic reforms. Soon thereafter, all of Portugal’s African colonies were granted their independence, and Portugal has since been able to focus on rebuilding a strong nation. It is a founding member of NATO, and a member of the European Union since 1986. More than 40% of Portugal’s population is between the ages of 25 and 54 years, which prompts an energetic culture. The Church of the Nazarene in Portugal is trying imaginative new approaches to ministry, including church buildings, that are breathing new life into work there.

1,060 Members

18 Fully Organized Churches; 1 Not Yet Organized Church

3 District Licensed and 18 Ordained Ministers on 1 District

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New Worship Space — Lisbon, Portugal

In mid-March 2024, Nazarenes from across the greater Lisbon, Portugal area gathered with the Queluz Church of the Nazarene to celebrate the opening of their new worship space. 

This celebration was the culmination of a dream that had taken many months to be realized. The faith of the congregation and the leadership of its pastor, Rev. Geovane Mota, has been focused on resolving the challenge of limited worship space that would serve their community well. 

Mota opened the service by stating that everyone gathered was “standing in a miracle.” He talked about the church’s growth over the past two years and how they have struggled recently to accommodate the now thriving congregation. Mota then added that he didn’t know how to address this problem, but through prayer and faithfulness, God showed him a vision for the tent, which has now been constructed behind the original church building. “God told me we had the space, and the problem was solved,” he reflected. 

Soon after, Mota and his church began to take bold steps of faith to bring that vision into reality. Through prayer, Alabaster funding, sacrificial giving by church members and others in the community, and their own manual labor, the Queluz church now has the space to do the things God has placed on their hearts.

Watch a video of the tent’s construction and use here. (video credit: Lohanna Veloso)

Adapted from the original story that appeared in Eurasia Region Snapshots on March 19, 2024 (story credit: Kristen Burchfiel)

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